American movie stars died at 54

Here are 12 famous actresses from United States of America died at 54:

Myrtle Stedman

Myrtle Stedman (March 3, 1883 Chicago-January 8, 1938 Hollywood) also known as Miss Myrtle Stedman, Myrtle Steadman, Myrtle C. Lincoln or Miss Stedman was an American singer and actor. Her child is called Lincoln Stedman.

She died caused by myocardial infarction.

Myrtle Stedman began her career as a singer and stage actress before transitioning to silent film in the early 1900s. She appeared in over 100 films throughout her career, including notable roles in "The Kid" (1921) starring Charlie Chaplin and "The Plastic Age" (1925) with Clara Bow. Stedman was also known for her work in Westerns, often playing tough and independent women.

Off-screen, Stedman was active in the film community and was a founding member of the Motion Picture Relief Fund, which provided assistance to industry workers in need.

Stedman was married twice and had one son, Lincoln Stedman, who also pursued a career in film. Myrtle Stedman passed away in 1938 at the age of 54 due to a heart attack.

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Nell Carter

Nell Carter (September 13, 1948 Birmingham-January 23, 2003 Beverly Hills) also known as Nell Ruth Hardy, Carter, Nell, Nell Ruth Carter or Nell-Ruth Carter was an American singer and actor. She had three children, Daniel Carter, Tracy Carter and Joshua Carter.

She died as a result of diabetes mellitus.

Nell Carter was born in Birmingham, Alabama and grew up in poverty. She began singing in church and later became a backup singer for artists such as Bette Midler and Carly Simon. In the late 1970s, she landed her breakout role in the Broadway musical "Ain't Misbehavin'", for which she won a Tony Award.

Carter went on to star in her own television sitcom, "Gimme a Break!", which ran from 1981 to 1987. She also had a recurring role on the hit show "Designing Women" and appeared in films like "The Grass Harp" and "Back by Midnight."

Throughout her career, Carter struggled with health problems related to her weight and was diagnosed with diabetes. She became an advocate for diabetes awareness and served as a spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association.

Despite her health issues, Carter continued to perform and was known for her powerful singing voice. She won an Emmy Award for her guest appearance on the show "Dream On" in 1991.

Carter's legacy lives on through her inspiring work as a performer and her advocacy for diabetes awareness.

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Diane Varsi

Diane Varsi (February 23, 1938 San Mateo-November 19, 1992 Hollywood) otherwise known as Diane Marie Antonia Varsi was an American actor. Her children are called Willo Hausman and Shawn Hausman.

She died caused by respiratory failure.

Varsi is best known for her role as Allison MacKenzie in the 1957 film "Peyton Place" for which she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. She continued her acting career with appearances in films such as "Ten North Frederick" and "Wild in the Country" before transitioning to television, where she became a regular on the series "The High Chaparral" and "The Bold Ones: The Lawyers." Later in life, Varsi struggled with drug addiction and health issues, which ultimately led to her untimely death at the age of 54. Despite the challenges she faced, she left a lasting legacy as a talented and accomplished actor.

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Jean Hagen

Jean Hagen (August 3, 1923 Chicago-August 29, 1977 Los Angeles) also known as Jean Shirley Verhagen was an American actor. She had two children, Aric Phillip Seidel and Christine Seidel.

She died in esophageal cancer.

Hagen is perhaps best known for her role as Lina Lamont in the 1952 musical film "Singin' in the Rain." Her performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress. Prior to her success in Hollywood, Hagen worked on Broadway, with notable roles in "Another Part of the Forest" and "The Traitor." She also had a recurring role as Margaret Williams on the TV series "Make Room for Daddy." Aside from her acting career, Hagen was an early supporter of civil rights and was involved in activism work throughout her life. She was also a member of the Church of Religious Science.

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Lynne Thigpen

Lynne Thigpen (December 22, 1948 Joliet-March 12, 2003 Marina del Rey) otherwise known as Cherlynne Thigpen, Lynne Richmond, Lynn Thigpen, Cherlynne Theresa Thigpen, Cherlynne Theresa “Lynne” Thigpen or Thigpen, Lynne was an American actor, teacher and voice actor.

She died in cerebral hemorrhage.

Thigpen was born in Joliet, Illinois and grew up in nearby Joliet Township. She graduated from Joliet Township High School in 1966, and later earned a bachelor's degree in speech from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Thigpen then went on to earn a master's degree in teaching from the University of Michigan.

Thigpen began her career as a stage actress, performing in numerous productions both on and off-Broadway. She won a Tony Award in 1997 for her role in the musical "An American Daughter." Thigpen also appeared in several films, including "The Warriors," "Lean On Me," and "Bob Roberts."

In addition to her work as an actress, Thigpen was a respected voice actor, lending her distinctive voice to a number of animated series and video games. She was perhaps best known for her role as "The Chief" in the popular children's television show "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?"

Thigpen was also a passionate advocate for the arts and education. She served as the national spokesperson for the Children's Miracle Network and was a member of the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities.

Thigpen passed away in 2003 at the age of 54. She was deeply mourned by her fans and colleagues, who remembered her as a talented and inspiring performer.

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Mae Busch

Mae Busch (June 18, 1891 Melbourne-April 19, 1946 San Fernando Valley) a.k.a. Annie May Busch or The Versatile Vamp was an American actor.

She died caused by pneumonia.

Mae Busch began her acting career on the stage in Australia before moving to Hollywood in 1912 to pursue a career in silent films. She quickly rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s playing strong-willed, independent women with a flair for comedy. Busch worked alongside some of the biggest names in Hollywood at the time, including Laurel and Hardy, and appeared in over 100 films throughout her career. In addition to acting, Busch was also a screenwriter and wrote a number of films in the 1920s. Despite her success, Busch struggled with alcoholism and had a reputation for being difficult to work with on set.

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Mona Barrie

Mona Barrie (December 18, 1909 London-June 27, 1964 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Mona Smith, Mona Barlee Smith or Mona Barlee was an American actor.

She was originally from London, England and began her career on stage in England before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s. She appeared in over 50 films throughout her career, often playing sophisticated and elegant women. Some of her notable roles include "No Time for Comedy" (1940) and "Twice Blessed" (1945). In addition to her film work, Barrie also acted on television and in theater productions. She passed away at the age of 54 from cancer.

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Sandy Dennis

Sandy Dennis (April 27, 1937 Hastings-March 2, 1992 Westport) also known as Sandra Dale Dennis or Sandra Dale “Sandy” Dennis was an American actor.

She died in ovarian cancer.

Sandy Dennis was known for her outstanding work in film, television, and theater. She won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?" in 1966. She was also known for her roles in films such as "Up the Down Staircase" and "The Out-of-Towners." In addition to her film work, she appeared in numerous television shows, including "The Fugitive," "The Twilight Zone," and "Hawaii Five-O." On stage, she secured a Tony Award for her performance in "A Thousand Clowns" in 1963. Sandy Dennis was a master at playing quirky and complex characters, and her unique style of acting set her apart as one of the most gifted performers of her time.

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Sheila Ryan

Sheila Ryan (June 8, 1921 Topeka-November 4, 1975 Woodland Hills) a.k.a. Katherine Elizabeth McLaughlin, Betty McLaughlin or Betty McLauglin was an American actor. Her child is called Kerry Buttram-Galgano.

She died caused by traffic collision.

Sheila Ryan began her career as a showgirl and chorus girl in the late 1930s before transitioning into film. She appeared in over 60 films throughout her career, including "The Big Sleep," "Pillow of Death," and "Jungle Raiders." Ryan was also known for her roles in the "Blondie" series from 1947-1950, in which she played the character of Blondie's friend, "Trixie." In addition to her work in film, Ryan also appeared in several television shows such as "The Lone Ranger" and "The Adventures of Wild Bill Hickok." She was married to actor Allan Lane from 1946 until his death in 1973.

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Teresa Graves

Teresa Graves (January 10, 1948 Houston-October 10, 2002 Hyde Park) was an American singer and actor.

She died as a result of fire.

Graves began her career as a singer, releasing several albums in the late 1960s and early 1970s. She later transitioned to acting and became best known for her role as detective Christie Love in the TV series "Get Christie Love!" (1974-1975), which was the first TV series to feature a black female lead character. She also appeared in other TV shows and films, including "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In," "Hell Up in Harlem," and "That Man Bolt." After her acting career, Graves became a devotee of the Jehovah's Witnesses religion and devoted herself to missionary work.

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Barbara Lang

Barbara Lang (March 2, 1928 Pasadena-July 22, 1982 Los Angeles) also known as barbara_lang or Barbara Jean Bly was an American singer, model and actor. Her children are called Pam McCorkle and Chreryl McCorkle.

She died caused by pneumonia.

Barbara Lang started her career as a model during the 1950s, where she was a popular figure for beauty and fashion shoots. Due to her striking looks, she was also offered acting roles, and made her debut in the 1953 film "The War of the Worlds". She went on to appear in various films and TV series throughout the 1950s and 1960s, including "The Big Heat", "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt", and "The Young Lions".

Besides acting and modeling, Barbara Lang was also a talented singer, and released a few albums during her career. She was known for her sultry voice and performed in various nightclubs and venues across the country.

Barbara Lang's personal life was marked with tragedies. Her first husband, Robert H. Ebersole, died unexpectedly in an accident in 1955, and her second husband, actor David Janssen, died from a heart attack in 1980. She survived both her husbands and raised her two daughters as a single mother.

Despite her talent and beauty, Barbara Lang's career was cut short by her untimely death at the age of 54. She passed away from pneumonia, leaving behind a legacy as a multi-talented artist of the mid-20th century.

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Marian Winters

Marian Winters (April 19, 1924 New York City-November 3, 1978 New York City) was an American actor.

She died caused by cancer.

Marian Winters began her acting career in theater and later transitioned to television and film. She appeared on Broadway in several productions, including "The Lark" and "The Great God Brown." In addition to her stage work, she made appearances on popular television shows such as "The Twilight Zone" and "The Fugitive."

Winters also had a successful film career, with roles in movies like "The Gazebo" and "The Balcony." Despite her short career, Winters was known for her versatility and her ability to bring depth to her characters.

Offstage, Winters was actively involved in social and political causes, particularly the civil rights movement. She was a member of the Congress of Racial Equality and actively protested against segregation in schools and other public spaces.

Marian Winters passed away at the age of 54 from cancer, leaving behind a legacy as a talented actress and a passionate activist.

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