From horse movies to tabloid marriages to AIDS activism, the late actress left her mark. By Gil Kaufman Elizabeth Taylor in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” Photo: Hulton/ Getty Images Hollywood screen legend Elizabeth Taylor made her mark on the screen in the 1950s as one of the last of the great silver-screen superstars of the studio era. From “Cleopatra” to “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” the English-born actress captivated with her onscreen intensity and beauty, even as her chaotic off-screen love life became a staple of tabloid coverage. With Taylor’s passing on Wednesday (March 23) at the age of 79, the world has lost not only a great movie siren, but also a towering pop-culture figure whose influence ran well beyond her acting to philanthropy, fashion and American mores. Since her early days as an actress, Taylor had a striking look that became a model for women in the 1960s. Her pale, pearl-colored lipstick and heavily lined eyes became a style template for aspiring starlets and housewives alike, and the signature white chiffon cocktail dress she wore in “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof” opposite Paul Newman became a best-seller for designer Helen Rose. It was just one of many looks Taylor modeled in her most famous films that provided inspiration for designers over the years.
