
In the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, is a glamorous, naive, and eccentric socialite who meets Paul Varjak, a struggling writer who has just moved into her apartment building. Holly is a complex character who has fled an underage marriage and become a sex worker and criminal, although she is ignorant of the fact. She is often seen with a long cigarette holder, and in one scene, she mentions that she smoked marijuana but stopped because it made her giggle.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of the character who smoked | Holly Golightly (Lulamae) |
| Did Holly smoke? | Yes, she smoked marijuana. She also smoked cigarettes, as evidenced by her famous long cigarette holder. |
| Movie | Breakfast at Tiffany's |
| Year of release | 1961 |
Explore related products
$23.99 $29.99
$13.88
$10.99
$19.99
What You'll Learn

Holly Golightly's character analysis
Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, is one of the most iconic characters to ever appear on screen. The character is based on the 1958 novella by Truman Capote, in which Holly is described as "racist, foul-mouthed and egotistical, with few redeeming qualities". However, Hepburn's portrayal of Holly is decidedly more glamorous, charming, and likeable.
Hepburn's Holly is a naive, eccentric, and extroverted young woman who has a glamorous and mysterious past. She is a beautiful 19-year-old who sustains herself by dating rich men and leads a restless, untethered life, constantly searching for happiness and freedom. Holly is confident and optimistic on the outside, but struggles to define her identity and constantly tries to rebel against people who attempt to understand her ambitious spirit. She is dedicated to whatever she chooses to do, whether it's throwing fabulous parties or trying to forget her previous life as a hillbilly child bride.
Holly seeks to be valued but unoppressed, like the jewelry at Tiffany's that is on display for its value but owned by no one. She understands her commodity in attractive appearance and discusses the importance of what earrings a man gives her as a reflection of how much he values her. Holly sees Tiffany's as a domestic space, a place where she goes when she has the "mean reds", a feeling of fear of the unknown. Through the reflective windows, she views her desired identity and appearance of wealth and belonging.
Holly is a self-proclaimed "wild thing" who is terrified of being caged or alone. She is a strange mixture of childlike naivety and sophisticated sensuality, shallow on the surface but deeply complex within. She is a striking and self-sufficient young woman who is constantly trying to stay away from being defined and tamed by other people. Holly's confidence prevails throughout the film, both in the way she dresses and acts, flouting old-biddy conventions of how single women should conduct themselves.
Taco Palenque: Breakfast All Day?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Smoking at the party
In the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, is a glamorous, naive, and eccentric New York socialite. She is a young woman fleeing an underage marriage, who becomes a sex worker and gets involved in organised crime. Holly's character is shown to be a smoker, as she is seen with a long cigarette holder in some scenes.
At one point in the film, Holly explains her lifestyle to Paul Varjak (George Peppard), saying that she subsists on a string of dates with rich men who pay her for "conversation" and slip her money "for the powder room". This is a reference to the fact that Holly is a sort-of prostitute, although she denies understanding what she is doing, thinking that she is simply being paid to be charming company.
In another scene, Holly mentions that she has smoked marijuana, saying, "Rusty thinks I should smoke marijuana, and I did for a while, but it only makes me giggle." This is indicative of Holly's carefree and eccentric personality, as well as her involvement with drugs and her association with criminals.
While the film is often viewed as a romantic comedy, there are darker themes at play, including Holly's involvement in prostitution and organised crime. This adds a layer of complexity to the seemingly light-hearted story, and it is worth considering how these themes impact the overall message and tone of the film.
Overall, Holly's smoking in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's is just one aspect of her character that contributes to the portrayal of a young woman navigating a complex and often challenging life in New York City.
Eggs for Breakfast: Are Two Enough to Fill You Up?
You may want to see also
Explore related products

Holly's controversial occupation
Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn in the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, is a beloved and iconic character. However, her occupation in the film has been a subject of controversy.
In the film, Holly is a naive, eccentric socialite who meets a struggling writer, Paul Varjak, when he moves into her apartment building. They become close friends, and Holly shares her desire to find happiness and freedom. Underneath her glamorous exterior, Holly is a young woman with a troubled past, having fled an underage marriage and become entangled in organised crime.
Holly's occupation as a sex worker was considered scandalous and taboo, particularly during the time the film was released. It is important to note that Holly's character is not simply a stereotype or a one-dimensional portrayal of a sex worker. She is a complex and layered character, and her occupation is just one aspect of her story.
In conclusion, Holly Golightly's occupation as a sex worker in Breakfast at Tiffany's has been a subject of controversy. However, it is important to recognise that her character is more than just her occupation, and her story explores themes of freedom, happiness, and the complexities of human relationships.
Jamboree Breakfast Party: St. Vincent's Morning Extravaganza
You may want to see also
Explore related products

KENT cigarettes offered by O.J. Berman
In the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, is a naïve, eccentric socialite. The film is based on the 1958 novella of the same name by Truman Capote.
In the film, Holly is arrested in connection with a drug ring run by Sally Tomato. She is bailed out by O.J. Berman, and she decides to leave the U.S., knowing she will never be able to return.
Kent cigarettes are an American brand of cigarettes, introduced by the Lorillard Tobacco Company in 1952. They were the first popular filtered cigarette brand, and their ""famous micronite filter" promised consumers the "greatest health protection in history". However, from 1952 to 1956, the micronite filter in Kent cigarettes contained blue asbestos, the most carcinogenic form of asbestos. Despite this, Kent remained a top-ten cigarette brand until 1979.
It is unclear whether O.J. Berman offers Kent cigarettes to Holly in the film Breakfast at Tiffany's. However, given the popularity of Kent cigarettes during the time the film was set and the fact that Holly is a smoker, it is possible that O.J. Berman's cigarettes of choice were Kent.
BK Breakfast Hours: When Can I Get My Morning Fill?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
$6.49 $12.99

Marijuana use
In the 1961 film Breakfast at Tiffany's, Holly Golightly (Audrey Hepburn) is a naïve, eccentric socialite who meets Paul Varjak (George Peppard), a struggling writer who has just moved into her apartment building. Holly is a young woman who fled an underage marriage, became a sex worker, and involved herself in organised crime. She is even a criminal herself, though she is ignorant of that fact.
In the film, Holly is portrayed as a smoker, often seen with a long cigarette holder. There is also a reference to marijuana use by Holly in the film. Holly states, "Rusty thinks I should smoke marijuana, and I did for a while, but it only makes me giggle". This suggests that Holly experimented with marijuana but found it to have a humorous effect on her rather than a relaxing or intoxicating one.
The film, based on Truman Capote's novella of the same name, has been criticised for bleaching the darker themes from the original story. However, it has also been praised for Hepburn's performance, which is considered one of her most memorable and influential roles.
Hardee's Breakfast: All-Day Availability or Missed Opportunity?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, Holly Golightly, played by Audrey Hepburn, smoked in the movie. In one scene, she is seen smoking at a party.
Yes, according to Holly's narration in the movie, she tried smoking marijuana but stopped because it made her giggle.
In the movie, O.J. Berman, played by Martin Balsam, offers Holly a KENT cigarette.
































