Famous movie actresses died when they were 50
Here are 15 famous actresses from the world died at 50:
Kathy Acker
Kathy Acker (April 18, 1947 Manhattan-November 30, 1997 Tijuana) also known as Karen Lehmann, Acker, Kathy or Black Tarantula was an American writer, novelist, poet, playwright, essayist and actor.
She died in breast cancer.
Kathy Acker is perhaps best known for her highly experimental and boundary-pushing writing style, which often incorporated elements of cut-up and collage techniques, feminist and queer theory, and anti-establishment philosophy. Her works explored themes of gender, sexuality, power, identity, and language, and were deeply influenced by her own personal experiences and struggles. Acker was also a prominent figure in the underground and punk scenes of the 1970s and 1980s, known for her provocative performances and radical politics. Despite her early death, her legacy continues to inspire and influence writers and artists across the world.
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Stephanie Lawrence
Stephanie Lawrence (December 16, 1949 Hayling Island-November 4, 2000 London) also known as Stephanie Imelda Mary Lawrence or Lawrence, Stephanie was a British singer and actor.
She is best known for her work in musical theatre, originating and performing roles in many West End productions including "Evita", "Starlight Express", and "Blood Brothers". Lawrence began her career as a child performer, appearing on television and in stage productions. She later became a popular recording artist, releasing several albums throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Despite suffering from health issues later in life, Lawrence continued to perform on stage and screen until her passing at the age of 50. Her talent and contribution to the world of musical theatre is still celebrated by fans and fellow performers today.
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Veronica Lake
Veronica Lake (November 14, 1922 Brooklyn-July 7, 1973 Burlington) a.k.a. Constance Frances Marie Ockelman, Constance Frances Marie Ockleman, Constance Keane, Connie Keane or The Peek-a-boo Girl was an American actor and pin-up girl. She had four children, Elaine Detlie, William Detlie, Andre Michael De Toth III and Diana De Toth.
She died in hepatitis.
Veronica Lake began her career as a model and worked as a pin-up girl during World War II, gaining popularity for her signature hairstyle which covered one eye. She made her film debut in 1939 in the movie "Sorority House" and went on to star in several films such as "This Gun for Hire," "The Blue Dahlia," and "Sullivan's Travels."
Despite her success in Hollywood, Lake struggled with alcoholism and personal troubles that affected her career. She was married four times and had a rocky relationship with her children, though she remained close with her son Michael De Toth, who later became a successful film director.
In the 1960s, Lake's career saw a resurgence when she appeared in several stage productions and TV shows, including "Mr. Broadway" and "Burke's Law." However, her personal life continued to be troubled and she struggled with poverty and health issues.
Veronica Lake's legacy lives on in her iconic Hollywood image and her impact on fashion and beauty trends. She was posthumously awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1994.
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Anita Morris
Anita Morris (March 14, 1943 Durham-March 2, 1994 Los Angeles) also known as Anita Rose Morris was an American actor, dancer and singer. She had one child, James Badge Dale.
She died in ovarian cancer.
Anita Morris was born and raised in Durham, North Carolina. She started her career in entertainment as a dancer, performing in Broadway shows such as "Seesaw" and "Jesus Christ Superstar". Her performance in "Nine" earned her a Tony Award nomination for Best Featured Actress in a Musical in 1982.
In addition to her work on stage, Anita Morris appeared in several films, including "The Hotel New Hampshire" and "Absolute Beginners". She was also a regular on the television show "The Equalizer" in the late 1980s.
Morris was known for her sultry and seductive performances, often playing femme fatale roles. She also had a successful career as a cabaret performer, releasing several albums throughout the 1980s.
Sadly, Morris passed away at the age of 50 due to ovarian cancer. She left behind her son James Badge Dale, who would go on to become a successful actor in his own right. Morris' legacy continues to inspire and influence performers in the entertainment industry.
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Anne Nagel
Anne Nagel (September 29, 1915 Boston-July 6, 1966 Hollywood) a.k.a. Anne Dolan or Ann Nagel was an American actor and model.
She died as a result of liver cancer.
Anne Nagel began her career as a model before transitioning to acting in films. She appeared in a variety of genres, ranging from westerns to horror movies. Some of her most notable roles include "Black Doll" in the horror film "The Invisible Killer" and "Joyce Willecombe" in the western "Billy the Kid Returns."
In addition to her film work, Nagel also made appearances on television shows such as "Perry Mason" and "The Lone Ranger." She was known for her beauty and talent as an actor, often receiving critical acclaim for her performances.
Unfortunately, Nagel's life was cut short by liver cancer. She passed away at the age of 50 in Hollywood. Despite her relatively short career, she left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry and continues to be remembered by fans of classic Hollywood cinema.
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Betty Francisco
Betty Francisco (September 26, 1900 Little Rock-November 25, 1950 El Cerrito) also known as Elizabeth Barton or Elizabeth Bartman was an American actor.
She died caused by myocardial infarction.
Betty Francisco was born in Little Rock, Arkansas, to parents who were both talented actors. She began her acting career on stage at the age of 18, quickly gaining recognition for her natural talent and captivating performances. Francisco's fame soon spread, and she was offered roles in Hollywood movies such as "The Crime Doctor's Diary" (1949) and "The Bushwhackers" (1951). In addition to her acting career, she was a well-respected philanthropist, frequently donating her time and money to charitable causes. Francisco was married twice and had no children. She passed away at the age of 50 in El Cerrito, California, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most talented actors of her time.
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Edna Marion
Edna Marion (December 12, 1906 Chicago-December 2, 1957 Hollywood) a.k.a. Edna Marian, Edna Marion Hannam or Edna Hannam was an American actor.
Marion initially pursued a career in dance and performed in several Broadway productions. She transitioned to film in the 1920s and appeared in numerous silent films. She was known for her comedic and dramatic roles, and her work as a "flapper" icon in Hollywood helped her gain popularity among audiences. Marion also appeared in several sound films, including the 1931 film "The Public Enemy," which is considered a classic of the gangster film genre. Despite her success, Marion's career began to decline in the mid-1930s, and she retired from acting in 1936. She later worked as a script supervisor for several studios in Hollywood.
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Emmaline Henry
Emmaline Henry (November 1, 1928 Philadelphia-October 8, 1979 Palm Springs) was an American actor.
She died as a result of brain cancer.
Throughout her career, Emmaline Henry appeared in numerous television shows and films, being most widely recognized for her role as Amanda Bellows in the hit TV series "I Dream of Jeannie". Prior to that, she had starred in a number of Broadway productions such as "The Great White Hope" and "Carnival!". Henry also made appearances in popular shows of the time, including "The Beverly Hillbillies", "The Dick Van Dyke Show" and "The Andy Griffith Show". Apart from acting, she was also an accomplished singer, having released an album called "Emmaline Henry Sings" in 1965. Despite her untimely death, Emmaline Henry remains one of the most beloved actors of her generation.
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Geeta Bali
Geeta Bali (April 5, 2015 Sargodha-January 21, 1965 Mumbai) a.k.a. Harikirtan Kaur, Miss Haridarshan, Late Smt. Geeta Bali, Smti Geeta Bali, Geeta Baali, Harkirtan Kaur or Late Geeta Bali was an Indian actor. She had three children, Aditya Raj Kapoor, Kanchan Ketan Desai and Aditya Raj Kapoor.
She died as a result of smallpox.
Geeta Bali began her acting career as a child artist and went on to become one of the leading actors of Indian cinema. She appeared in over 70 films, including the hit films Baazi, Albela and Jagte Raho. She was known for her versatile acting talent and her ability to effortlessly portray various roles. She received critical acclaim for her performances in films like Vachan, Bawre Nain and Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje. She also worked as a producer and a director.
Off-screen, Geeta Bali was known for her charitable work and her involvement in community service. She was actively involved in helping the underprivileged and the needy. She was also a talented dancer and choreographer and was known for her skills in classical and folk dancing.
Geeta Bali's sudden death at the young age of 35 was a great loss to Indian cinema. Despite her short career, she left a lasting impression on the industry and remains one of the most beloved actors of Indian cinema.
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Gladys George
Gladys George (September 13, 1904 Patten-December 8, 1954 Los Angeles) also known as Gladys Clare Evans was an American actor.
She died caused by cerebral hemorrhage.
Gladys George began her acting career on stage before transitioning to film and television. She is best known for her role as "Mother Gin Sling" in the 1932 film "The Shanghai Gesture," which earned her critical acclaim and an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress. George continued to act in films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, appearing in notable productions such as "Valiant is the Word for Carrie" (1936) and "The Maltese Falcon" (1941).
In addition to acting, George was also an accomplished singer and musician, playing the piano and guitar. She performed on stage and in nightclubs, and even recorded several records. Despite her success, George struggled with alcoholism and financial difficulties throughout her life. Her last film appearance was in the 1954 production "The Bamboo Prison" before her untimely death later that year at the age of 50.
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Helene Costello
Helene Costello (June 21, 1906 New York City-January 26, 1957 San Bernardino) a.k.a. Miss Helene or Helen Costello was an American actor. She had one child, Deidre Le Blanc.
She died in tuberculosis.
Helene Costello came from a renowned acting family. Her father, Maurice Costello, was a silent film star, and her sister, Dolores Costello, was also an actor in Hollywood. Helene began her acting career at the age of three, also appearing in her father's films.
She made her first independent appearance in the film industry in The Heart of Humanity (1918), after which she continued acting in films and became one of Hollywood's most promising young actors in the early 1920s. Her notable works include The Ghost Breaker (1922), The Third Alarm (1922), The Covered Wagon (1923), and The Road to Yesterday (1925).
However, by the late 1920s, Helene's career had begun to decline due to her personal struggles, including drug addiction, alcoholism, and multiple failed marriages. She continued to work in small roles until her final film, Revenge of the Zombies (1943).
Helene spent her later years in poverty and ill health, eventually succumbing to tuberculosis in 1957 at the age of 50.
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Janet Margolin
Janet Margolin (July 25, 1943 New York City-December 17, 1993 Los Angeles) was an American actor. She had two children, Julian Wass and Matilda Wass.
She died in ovarian cancer.
Margolin is best known for her work in films such as "David and Lisa" (1962), which earned her a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and "Annie Hall" (1977), for which she received critical acclaim for her portrayal of Alvy Singer's second wife, Robin. She also appeared in numerous television shows, including "The Love Boat," "Murder, She Wrote," and "Chicago Hope." Outside of acting, Margolin wrote a memoir titled "The Last Street Novel," which was published posthumously in 1994.
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Margaret Sullavan
Margaret Sullavan (May 16, 1909 Norfolk-January 1, 1960 New Haven) also known as Margaret Brooke Sullavan was an American actor. She had three children, Brooke Hayward, William Hayward and Bridget Hayward.
She died in barbiturate overdose.
Sullavan had a successful career in both film and theater. She made her debut on Broadway in 1929 and went on to star in several plays and earn critical acclaim for her performances. In Hollywood, she appeared in films such as "The Shopworn Angel" and "Three Comrades," earning an Oscar nomination for the latter. Sullavan was known for her naturalistic acting style and her ability to convey vulnerability and sensitivity on screen. She had a tumultuous personal life, with a history of mental health struggles and multiple marriages. Despite her success as an actor, she was known for her intense stage fright and anxiety.
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Marilyn Maxwell
Marilyn Maxwell (August 3, 1921 Clarinda-March 20, 1972 Beverly Hills) a.k.a. Marvel Marilyn Maxwell, Marvel Maxwell, Maxwell, Marilyn or Mrs. Bob Hope was an American actor and singer. Her child is Matthew Paul Davis.
She died as a result of myocardial infarction.
Marilyn Maxwell began her career as a chorus girl on Broadway before transitioning to film in the late 1940s. She appeared in several popular films such as "The Lemon Drop Kid" (1951) and "Champion" (1949), and also had a successful career in television. In the early 1950s, she was a frequent guest on "The Bob Hope Show" and appeared on other popular shows like "The Jack Benny Program" and "The Red Skelton Hour."
Aside from her acting career, Marilyn was also a talented singer and released several albums throughout her career. She was known for her sultry voice and often performed with renowned big bands like the Glenn Miller Orchestra.
Marilyn Maxwell was married three times, first to John Conte, then to actor Anders Ek, and finally to her manager Bob Wells. She had one son, Matthew Paul Davis, from her marriage to Conte. Despite her success in Hollywood, Marilyn's life was not without its struggles, including battles with alcoholism and depression.
She tragically passed away in 1972 at the age of 50 from a heart attack. However, she left behind a legacy as a talented performer who brought joy to audiences with her performances.
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Michelle Nicastro
Michelle Nicastro (March 31, 1960 Washington, D.C.-November 4, 2010 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Michelle NiCastro or Michele Nicastro was an American actor and singer. She had two children, Callie Stark and Cady Stark.
Michelle Nicastro was known for her work on stage, screen, and in voice acting. She made her Broadway debut in 1983 in the revival of "The Pirates of Penzance" and later appeared in the original production of "Into the Woods." Her film credits included "When Harry Met Sally..." and "Body Rock." Nicastro also lent her voice to many animated TV series and movies, including the character of Princess Odette in the animated film "The Swan Princess" and its sequels. In addition to her work in entertainment, Nicastro was also a dedicated advocate for breast cancer awareness and research, having been diagnosed with the disease in 2009. She passed away in 2010 at the age of 50.
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