Elizabeth Taylor in Supporting Roles: 5 Times Star Shined Without Being the Lead Actress

It’s hard to imagine Elizabeth Taylor in any other capacity other than leading lady, but the legendary film actress, fragrance tycoon and jewelry aficionado did take supporting roles several times throughout her career, both on the big screen and on television.

Here are five examples of when Taylor commanded the screen in a supporting way:

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1. Kay Banks, “Father of the Bride” (1950)

The debonair Spencer Tracy takes the lead in this comedy about a father coping with the upcoming nuptials of his daughter Kay, played by Taylor. Joan Bennett takes on the role of Taylor’s mother, Ellie Banks. A sequel to the film, “Father’s Little Dividend,” had Tracy and Taylor reprising their roles as Kay announces to the family she’s pregnant with her first child, according to MovieFone.

2. Susan Packett, “Julia Misbehaves” (1948)

Chaos abounds in this romantic comedy about an actress who gave up her daughter (played by Taylor) as a baby, but reconnects on her wedding day. As the title suggests, it’s Julia who does most of the rabble-rousing in the film, even attempting to get Susan to marry someone other than her intended, reported the New York Times.

3. Madam Conti, “North and South” (1985)

The six-episode mini-series “North and South” about two friends, one from the North and one from the South, in the days leading up to the Civil War, boasted an all-star cast including Patrick Swayze, Johnny Cash, Kirstie Alley, Forest Whitaker and, of course, Taylor, who played Madam Conti. “Miss Taylor finally arrives on the scene in episode five as the madam of a New Orleans bordello,” wrote John J. O’Connor in a New York Times review. “Dressed in 50 pounds of black velvet to set off her violet eyes, she looks half her age.”

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4. Helena Cassadine, “General Hospital” (1981)

Who would’ve thought we’d see a big screen icon like Elizabeth Taylor pop up on a network soap opera, but she did. For several episodes, Taylor joined “General Hospital’s” powerful Cassadine family as Helena, who puts a curse on Luke and Laura on their wedding day.

5. Pearl Slaghoople, “The Flintstones” (1994)

When someone decided it was a good idea to bring the beloved “Flintstones” cartoon to life on the big screen, they cast John Goodman as Fred, Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma, Rosie O’Donnell as Betty Rubble and Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble. For her part, Taylor pops in as Pearl Slaghoople, Wilma’s mother who is none too impressed with her daughter’s choice in husbands, according to film critic Roger Ebert.

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