6 Surprising Facts About ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s’ You Didn’t Know Ahead of Its Anniversary!
Learn about these secrets behind the film ahead of its October 5 anniversary!
With Halloween on the way, you’re sure to see a good handful of ladies taking inspo from Holly Golightly, Audrey Hepburn’s famous character from Breakfast at Tiffany’s—and can you blame them? What’s not to love about her jewels and signature sunnies?
Breakfast at Tiffany’s tells the story of a socialite named Holly who meets Paul, a new resident in her building. Their evolving love affair is complicated by both the past, the present and the people they want to be: Holly, an upper-class New Yorker far removed from her small-town roots, and Paul, a successful writer. With the film’s anniversary on October 5, take a look at these surprising fun facts about Breakfast at Tiffany’s you might not have known.
1. The film is based on a book
The novella of the same name was written by Truman Capote. Capote is also known for other works like In Cold Blood.
2. Author Truman Capote wasn’t a fan of the casting
While Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal of the famous character has been celebrated for decades, Truman Capote did not agree with the choice to cast her as the story’s lead. Instead, he had hopes for Marilyn Monroe, however, Sam Wasson, the author of Fifth Avenue, 5 A.M.: Audrey Hepburn, ‘Breakfast at Tiffany’s, revealed to ABC News that Monroe was advised not to play a “lady of the evening.”
Regardless of Capote’s strong opinions on the casting choices of the film, we still think Hepburn nailed it!
3. Holly’s work as a call girl was understated
To this day, it goes over the heads of many viewers that that was how Holly made her living, but Capote has said in the past that her character wasn’t so cut and dry. As reported by The New Yorker, Capote told Playboy in 1986 that “Holly Golightly was not precisely a call girl. She had no job, but accompanied expense-account men to the best restaurants and nightclubs, with the understanding that her escort was obligated to give her some sort of gift, perhaps jewelry or a check…if she felt like it, she might take her escort home for the night. So these girls are the authentic American geishas, and they’re much more prevalent now than in 1943 or 1944, which was Holly’s era.”
4. Holly’s black wardrobe was a nod to her work
Wasson also shared with ABC News that Holly’s black, simplistic wardrobe contrasted with the bright colors and florals that were popular at the time and served as a reference to what she was doing at night. “If you’re a girl with a busy life, it’s convenient,” he explained. “You don’t have the time to deal with the whole 50s woman uniform.”
5. There was a time when you could stay in Holly’s famous New York City Brownstone
Located at 169 East 71st Street, the location in which the exterior shots for Holly’s apartment were filmed sold in 2015 for over $7 million—and back in 2021, it was available to rent as a vacation spot via Inspirato. Though seemingly no longer available, we hope that someday soon we’ll have another chance to live out our Breakfast at Tiffany’s dreams!
6. Another famous actress almost brought Holly to life
Shirley MacLaine was offered the part of Holly but turned it down, saying it was one of her greatest regrets while doing a Q&A at the Turner Classic Movies Film Festival per The Hollywood Reporter. “Although never would I have given Holly Golightly what Audrey did,” she said.
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