Sue Lyon

Sue Lyon (1946-2019) was an American actress best known for her debut role as the title character in Stanley Kubrick's 1962 film Lolita, based on Vladimir Nabokov's novel. She was just 14 years old when the film was made, a detail that generated significant controversy at the time, given the story's subject matter.

Lyon's performance as Lolita earned her a Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer – Female in 1963. Following Lolita, she continued to act in film and television throughout the 1960s and 1970s, though she never achieved the same level of recognition. Notable roles included appearances in films such as The Night of the Iguana (1964), 7 Women (1966), Tony Rome (1967), and Evel Knievel (1971).

Lyon largely retired from acting in the 1980s. She was married five times and struggled with personal issues throughout her life. She died in Los Angeles, California, in December 2019, at the age of 73. Her legacy is primarily tied to her groundbreaking and controversial role in Lolita, a film that remains a subject of discussion and debate regarding its adaptation of Nabokov's work and the ethical considerations of portraying underage sexuality.