Here are 15 famous actresses from United States of America died at 60:
Lois Weber (June 13, 1879 Allegheny-November 13, 1939 Hollywood) a.k.a. Florence Lois Weber, Florence Pietz or Mrs. Phillips Smalley was an American film director, actor, screenwriter and film producer. She had one child, Phoebe Smalley.
Lois Weber is recognized as one of the pioneers of the American film industry, and is considered one of the most important female filmmakers of the silent era. She began her career in the early 1900s, directing films for the American Gaumont Company. In 1913, she co-founded her own film production company, the Lois Weber Productions, which enabled her complete artistic control over her films.
Weber was a socially conscious filmmaker who addressed controversial and taboo topics such as birth control, abortion, and drug addiction in her films. Her most well-known films include "Where Are My Children?" (1916), which tackled the issue of abortion, and "The Blot" (1921), which exposed the inequalities in higher education. She was also instrumental in developing the use of sound, color, and special effects in film.
In addition to her work in film, Weber was an advocate for women's rights and was involved in numerous organizations dedicated to the improvement of the film industry. She was also a prolific writer, penning articles on film theory and criticism. Despite her many accomplishments, Weber's career was cut short due to financial struggles and changing tastes in the film industry. She died in 1939 at the age of 60 from a bleeding ulcer.
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Mahalia Jackson (October 26, 1911 New Orleans-January 27, 1972 Evergreen Park) a.k.a. Mahalla Jackson, Mahilia Jackson, Mahaila Jackson, Mahallia Jackson, Halie Jackson, Jackson, Mahalia, Halie or Mahala Jackson was an American singer, musician and actor.
She died in cardiovascular disease.
Jackson was known as the "Queen of Gospel" and was one of the most influential gospel singers of the 20th century. She began her career as a singer in the late 1920s and gained national recognition in the 1940s and 1950s with her powerful, soulful voice and inspirational songs. Jackson was a close friend and frequent collaborator of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and performed at many of his civil rights rallies and events. She was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1997 and received numerous other awards and honors throughout her career.
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Amanda Blake (February 20, 1929 Buffalo-August 16, 1989 Sacramento) also known as Beverly Louise Neill, The Young Greer Garson, Kitty or Miss Amanda Blake was an American actor.
She died caused by hiv/aids.
Amanda Blake began acting in the theater, and later moved to television and film. She is best known for her role as Kitty on the long-running TV western series "Gunsmoke," which aired from 1955 to 1975. Blake was a popular and respected actress, and her performance as Kitty was a key part of the show's success. In addition to her work on "Gunsmoke," Blake appeared in numerous other TV shows and films throughout her career. In later years, she was also active in animal welfare causes, and was a co-founder of the Performing Animal Welfare Society. Blake's death at the age of 60 was a tragic loss for her fans and colleagues in the entertainment industry.
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Betty Field (February 8, 1913 Boston-September 13, 1973 Hyannis) was an American actor. Her children are called Paul Rice, Judy Rice and John Rice.
She died caused by stroke.
Betty Field started her career on Broadway in the 1930s and later transitioned to film in the 1940s. She appeared in many notable films such as "Of Mice and Men" (1939), "Kings Row" (1942), and "Picnic" (1955). Field's acting was often praised for her naturalism and ability to convey complex emotions. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress in 1945 for her role in "The Southerner."
Field was married twice, first to playwright Elmer Rice and then to actor and producer Raymond Olivere. She continued acting throughout her life, both on stage and screen, appearing in TV shows such as "The Twilight Zone" and "Gunsmoke." Despite struggling with alcoholism, Field is remembered as a talented actor who left a lasting impact on Hollywood.
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Clara Bow (July 29, 1905 Brooklyn-September 27, 1965 Culver City) also known as Clara Gordon Bow, The "It" Girl or The Brooklyn Bonfire was an American actor. Her children are called George Beldam, Jr. and Rex Bell Jr..
She died caused by myocardial infarction.
Clara Bow was a major sex symbol in the 1920s and was known for her vivacious and playful personality on and off the screen. She was the first actress to embody the classic "flapper" persona, with her bobbed hair, short dresses, and carefree attitude. Bow starred in over 50 silent films, including the iconic romantic comedy "It" in 1927. She had a difficult childhood, growing up in poverty and facing abuse from her father, but she found an escape in acting and became a star at a young age. Despite her success, she struggled with mental health issues and retired from acting in 1933 at the age of 28. In her later years, she became a recluse and battled alcoholism. Bow is remembered as one of the most iconic actresses of the silent film era, and her legacy continues to inspire filmmakers and performers today.
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Constance Bennett (October 22, 1904 New York City-July 24, 1965 Fort Dix) also known as Constance Campbell Bennett was an American actor, entrepreneur and film producer. She had three children, Lorinda Roland, Gyl Roland and Peter Bennett Plant.
She died in cerebral hemorrhage.
Bennett was the daughter of a famous Broadway producer and stage actor, Richard Bennett, and actress, Adrienne Morrison. She comes from a family of successful entertainers, including her sisters Joan Bennett and Barbara Bennett, who were also successful actors.
Bennett began her acting career in silent films in the 1920s, but it was in the 1930s that she became one of Hollywood's most popular leading ladies. Some of her notable films during this time include "The Easiest Way" (1931), "Bed of Roses" (1933), and "Topper" (1937).
Besides acting, Bennett was also an entrepreneur and wrote a book called "The Bennett Playbill" which contained tips and advice for women hoping to make it in Hollywood. She also started a successful line of women's clothing called "Junior Sophisticates".
Despite her success, Bennett's personal life was tumultuous. She was married five times, including to actors Gilbert Roland and Philip Plant. She also had several high-profile affairs with wealthy and famous men of the time, including Howard Hughes and Marlon Brando.
In her later years, Bennett became increasingly reclusive and struggled with alcoholism. She died in 1965 at the age of 60, leaving behind a legacy as one of Hollywood's greatest leading ladies of the 1930s.
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Kay Medford (September 14, 1919 New York City-April 10, 1980 New York City) a.k.a. Margaret Kathleen O'Regan or Margaret O'Regan was an American comedian and actor.
She died as a result of cervical cancer.
Medford began her career in show business as a child actor in vaudeville shows. She later transitioned to theatre and made her Broadway debut in 1946. She received critical acclaim for her performance in the musical "Funny Girl" alongside Barbra Streisand, playing the role of Streisand's mother.
Aside from her successful Broadway career, Medford also appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "A Face in the Crowd," "Man on a Swing," and "The Love Boat." She was known for her distinctive voice and comedic timing.
Despite her success in the entertainment industry, Medford is perhaps best known for her role as Max's mother in the classic 1967 film "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." Her performance in the film was praised by critics and earned her a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.
Unfortunately, Medford's battle with cervical cancer ultimately led to her untimely death at the age of 60. Despite her short life, she made a lasting impact in the world of entertainment and will always be remembered for her contributions to film, theatre, and television.
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Lillian Russell (December 4, 1861 Clinton-June 6, 1922 Pittsburgh) was an American singer and actor.
She was born Helen Louise Leonard and was one of the most famous actresses and singers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She began her career in the chorus of a touring production of "H.M.S. Pinafore" and soon became a leading lady in musical comedies. Her beauty and charming personality made her a popular subject of poets, artists and photographers. She was also known for her love life, which included marriages to newspaperman Alexander Pollock Moore and composer Edward Solomon. Later in life, she became an advocate for women's suffrage and worked for the National American Woman Suffrage Association. She died in 1922 at the age of 60 from complications related to intestinal surgery.
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Louise Beavers (March 8, 1902 Cincinnati-October 26, 1962 Hollywood) a.k.a. Louise Beaver or Louise Ellen Beavers was an American actor.
She died in myocardial infarction.
Louise Beavers was born in Cincinnati, Ohio and began her acting career in the 1920s. She started out as a performer in vaudeville and later transitioned to film. Beavers was best known for her roles as a maid or housekeeper in Hollywood films, particularly during the 1930s and 1940s.
She appeared in over 100 films throughout her career, working alongside notable actors such as Claudette Colbert, Mae West, and Shirley Temple. Some of her prominent roles include Delilah in "Imitation of Life" and Aunt Petunia in "Made for Each Other."
Aside from acting, Beavers was also an entrepreneur and owned a successful pancake restaurant in Hollywood called "Louise Beavers' Chicken Shack." She was an active supporter of the NAACP and fought for equal rights for African Americans.
Despite being relegated to stereotypical roles, Beavers broke barriers and paved the way for future black actors in Hollywood. After her death in 1962, she was interred in the Freedom Mausoleum at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Hollywood Hills.
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Louise Closser Hale (October 13, 1872 United States of America-July 26, 1933 Los Angeles) also known as Louise Closser was an American author, actor, playwright and novelist.
She died as a result of stroke.
Louise Closser Hale was born in Chicago, Illinois and began her career as a writer before moving to the stage. Her first novel, "The Actress" was published in 1909 and became a best-seller. She went on to write several plays and short stories, and her work was praised for its wit and humor.
As an actor, she appeared in over 30 Broadway productions and was known for her comedic roles. Some of her most notable performances include "A Thousand Years Ago" and "The Fifth Commandment." She also appeared in several silent films, including "The Inner Circle" and "The President's Mystery."
Hale was married twice, first to Dr. Lewis Marshall and later to actor and playwright Sydney Rosenfeld. She had one daughter, actress Margaret Marshall.
In addition to her writing and acting, Hale was also heavily involved in supporting the arts and charitable causes. She was a member of the National Society of Arts and Letters and the Actors Fund of America.
Today, she is remembered as a talented writer and performer who helped pave the way for women in the entertainment industry.
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Susan Strasberg (May 22, 1938 New York City-January 21, 1999 New York City) also known as Susan Elizabeth Strasberg, Shelly, La Strasberg or Susie Strasberg was an American actor, writer and memoirist. Her child is Jennifer Robin Jones.
She died as a result of breast cancer.
Strasberg began her acting career in the 1950s and made her film debut in the 1955 movie "Picnic." She received critical acclaim for her performance in the 1956 film "Stage Struck," earning a nomination for a British Academy Film Award for Best Actress. Strasberg is also remembered for her stage performances, including her role in the original Broadway production of "The Diary of Anne Frank" in 1955.
In addition to her acting career, Strasberg wrote two memoirs, "Bittersweet" and "Marilyn and Me: Sisters, Rivals, Friends," in which she detailed her friendship with Marilyn Monroe. Strasberg was the daughter of the esteemed acting coach Lee Strasberg and was known for her involvement in the Actors Studio.
Despite her successful career, Strasberg struggled with personal issues and battled drug addiction throughout her life. She passed away at the age of 60 due to complications from breast cancer.
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Vera-Ellen (February 16, 1921 Norwood-August 30, 1981 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Vera-Ellen Westmeyer Rohe, Vera Ellen, Bunny or Vera Ellen Westmeier Rohe was an American actor and dancer. Her child is called Victoria Ellen Rothschild.
She died caused by cancer.
Vera-Ellen was known for her distinctive dancing style, which included fast footwork and acrobatic moves. She appeared in a number of successful Hollywood films in the 1940s and 1950s, including "White Christmas", "On the Town", and "The Belle of New York". She was also known for her roles in musicals on Broadway, such as "Very Warm for May" and "By Jupiter". Vera-Ellen was considered one of the most talented dancers of her time, working alongside other famous dancers like Fred Astaire and Gene Kelly. Her career was unfortunately cut short due to health issues, including a bout of tuberculosis and ongoing issues with her weight. Despite this, she remains celebrated for her incredible dance performances and contributions to the world of musical theater and film.
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Hilda Clark (April 5, 1872 Leavenworth-May 5, 1932 Miami Beach) was an American actor and model.
Hilda Clark began her career as a model for Gibson Girl illustrations and later transitioned into film during the silent film era. She appeared in over 40 films throughout her career, often portraying elegant and sophisticated characters. Clark was known for her striking beauty and elegant fashion sense, becoming a style icon of her time. She retired from acting in the late 1920s and passed away in 1932 at the age of 60.
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Rosemary Davies (June 15, 1903 Brooklyn-September 20, 1963 Bel-Air) also known as Rose Davies or Rose Douras was an American actor.
She began her career as a stage actress and later transitioned to film in the 1920s. She appeared in several silent films including "The Ten Commandments" (1923) and "The King of Kings" (1927). In the 1930s, she continued acting in supporting roles in films such as "Little Women" (1933) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938). Rosemary Davies was also married to film producer Hal B. Wallis from 1931 until her death in 1963.
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Maureen Reagan (January 4, 1941 Los Angeles-August 8, 2001 Granite Bay, California) otherwise known as Maureen Elizabeth Reagan, Mermie, Maureen or Radiant was an American actor, commentator and radio personality. She had one child, Rita Mirembe Revell.
She died in skin cancer.
Maureen Reagan was the daughter of former U.S. President Ronald Reagan and actress Jane Wyman. She began her career in the entertainment industry as an actress, appearing in several TV shows and films including "The Love Boat" and "The House Without a Christmas Tree".
In addition to her acting career, Reagan became a political activist, serving in various roles in the Republican party including as a member of the Republican National Committee and as co-chair of the Republican National Women’s Task Force. She was a strong supporter of her father's conservative policies and campaigned for him during his presidential campaigns.
Later in life, Reagan also worked as a radio personality and commentator, hosting her own radio show called The Maureen Reagan Show. She used her platform to discuss political and social issues, often sharing her own personal experiences and opinions.
Reagan was also involved in philanthropic work, serving as the founding chair of the National Alzheimer's Association and advocating for Alzheimer's research and education.
After being diagnosed with skin cancer, Reagan passed away in 2001 at the age of 60.
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