Famous movie actresses died in the year 1959
Here are 30 famous actresses from the world died in 1959:
Hazel Buckham
Hazel Buckham (December 27, 1888 Minneapolis-September 4, 1959 Los Angeles) also known as Hazel Buckham King or Mrs. Joseph King was an American actor. She had one child, Joleen King.
Hazel Buckham began her career in the film industry in the earlier days of silent films, with her first film appearance being in 1914's The Clodhopper. She went on to appear in over 90 films during her career, including The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921), Beau Brummel (1924), and The Kid Brother (1927). Despite her success, she retired from acting in 1931 due to the advent of sound films, finding her voice to be unsuitable for the new medium. After her retirement, she remained largely out of the public eye and little information is known about her later years.
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Helen Broderick
Helen Broderick (August 11, 1891 Philadelphia-September 25, 1959 Beverly Hills) also known as Helen Broderick Crawford was an American actor and vaudeville performer. She had one child, Broderick Crawford.
Broderick began her career appearing in vaudeville acts and Broadway productions before making her way to Hollywood in the 1930s. She became known for her comedic timing and played supporting roles in numerous films throughout the 1930s and 1940s, often playing a motherly figure or a wisecracking sidekick. Some of her notable films include "Top Hat" (1935), "Swing Time" (1936), and "The Fleet's In" (1942). She also appeared on radio and television programs, and was a regular panelist on the game show "It Pays to Be Ignorant". Broderick passed away at the age of 68 from undisclosed causes.
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Kathryn Adams
Kathryn Adams (May 25, 1893 St. Louis-February 17, 1959 Hollywood) also known as Ethalinda Colson, Catherine Adams or Katherine Adams was an American actor.
Kathryn Adams began her acting career in the 1920s and appeared in over 100 films throughout her career. She often played supporting roles in films such as "The Pride of the Yankees" and "The Enchanted Cottage." Adams was also a stage actress, performing in productions on Broadway in the 1920s and 30s. In addition to her successful acting career, she was also a talented painter and sculptor. Kathryn Adams passed away in 1959 at the age of 65.
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Cecil Cunningham
Cecil Cunningham (August 2, 1888 St. Louis-April 17, 1959 Los Angeles) was an American actor.
She was best known for her character roles in Hollywood films of the 1930s and 1940s. Cecil Cunningham started her career on stage, appearing in a number of Broadway productions before transitioning to film. She made her film debut in 1929 and went on to appear in over 70 films during her career.
Cunningham often played supporting roles, appearing alongside some of Hollywood's biggest stars such as Clark Gable, Bette Davis, and Greta Garbo. She was also known for her comedic timing, and her performances in films like "The Devil and Miss Jones" (1941) and "The More the Merrier" (1943) were particularly notable.
In addition to her work on screen, Cunningham was also active in radio and television. She appeared in several popular radio shows of the 1940s and 1950s, including "The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet" and "The Lux Radio Theatre." In the early days of television, she made guest appearances on shows such as "I Love Lucy" and "The Honeymooners."
Cecil Cunningham remained active in show business until her death in 1959 at the age of 70.
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Madame Sul-Te-Wan
Madame Sul-Te-Wan (September 12, 1873 Louisville-February 1, 1959 Woodland Hills) a.k.a. Nellie Conley, Sul-Te-Wan, Madame Sultewan, Madame Wan or Creole Nell was an American actor. She had two children, Odel Conley and Onest Conley.
Sul-Te-Wan was one of the first African American women to achieve success as a character actress in Hollywood. She appeared in over 100 films throughout her career, spanning from the silent era to the early 1950s. Some of her notable roles include the maid in the film "Gone with the Wind" and a slave in "The Birth of a Nation." She was also a founding member of the Negro Actors Guild of America. Despite facing discrimination and limited opportunities in Hollywood, Sul-Te-Wan paved the way for future generations of Black actors and left a legacy as a trailblazer in the entertainment industry.
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Gabrielle Fontan
Gabrielle Fontan (April 16, 1873 Bordeaux-September 8, 1959 Juvisy-sur-Orge) also known as Gabrielle Marie Joséphine Pene-Castel or Fontan was a French actor.
She began her career on stage in the late 19th century and eventually transitioned to film. Fontan was known for her supporting roles in French cinema during the silent film era. She appeared in over 80 films including classics such as "Les Vampires" and "Boudu Saved from Drowning". Despite her success, Fontan retired from acting in 1927 due to treatment for tuberculosis. She later returned to the stage and toured France with her one-woman show. Fontan was also an accomplished artist and her drawings illustrate some of the books she wrote later in life.
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Una O'Connor
Una O'Connor (October 23, 1880 Belfast-February 4, 1959 New York City) also known as Agnes Teresa McGlade was an Irish actor.
She began her career on the stage in Dublin and later moved to London where she appeared in a number of West End productions. In 1934, she made her film debut in the British movie "The Private Life of Don Juan" and then became a well-known character actor in Hollywood. O'Connor appeared in over 50 films during her career, including "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938), "The Bride of Frankenstein" (1935), and "The Gang's All Here" (1943). She was known for her distinctive voice and her ability to play a wide range of characters, from comedic to dramatic. O'Connor was nominated for an Academy Award in 1940 for her supporting role in "Going My Way" and continued acting until her death in 1959.
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Olga Knipper
Olga Knipper (September 21, 1868 Glazov-March 22, 1959 Moscow) also known as Olʹga Leonardovna Knipper-Chekhova, Olga Knipper-Chekhova or Olga Leonardovna Knipper was a Russian actor.
She was born in the town of Glazov and graduated from the Moscow Philharmonic School in 1888. Knipper joined the Moscow Art Theatre in 1898 and became one of its leading actors, performing in many of the theatre's productions including the premiere of Anton Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard. In fact, she was Chekhov's wife, and the two remained married until his death in 1904.
After Chekhov's death, Knipper continued to perform at the Moscow Art Theatre and also worked as a director and teacher. She was known for her dynamic and emotionally charged performances, and her work helped to establish the Moscow Art Theatre as one of the most important theatres of the early 20th century.
In addition to her work in theatre, Knipper also appeared in several silent films in the 1910s and 1920s. She retired from acting in the 1930s and spent her later years working as a teacher and mentor to younger actors. Knipper remains an important figure in the history of Russian theatre and is remembered for her powerful performances and contributions to the art form.
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Lillian Elliott
Lillian Elliott (April 24, 1874 Canada-January 15, 1959 Hollywood) was a Canadian actor. Her child is called Lloyd Corrigan.
Lillian Elliott started her career as a stage performer in her native Canada before moving to Hollywood in the 1920s to pursue a career in film. She appeared in almost 100 silent films including "The Kid" (1921), "The Pilgrim" (1923), and "The Passionate Plumber" (1932). Elliott was known for her comic roles and often played characters who were elderly or eccentric. Despite her success in films, she continued to perform on the stage throughout her career. In addition to acting, Elliott was also an accomplished artist and painter. She died in Hollywood in 1959 at the age of 84.
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Olive Blakeney
Olive Blakeney (August 21, 1899 Newport-October 21, 1959 Los Angeles) was an American actor. She had one child, Betty Lou Nedell.
Blakeney began her acting career in the late 1910s and appeared in over 50 films throughout her career. She was known for her roles in films such as "The Scarlet Empress" (1934) and "The Adventures of Robin Hood" (1938). Blakeney was also a stage actress, appearing in several Broadway productions, including "Abie's Irish Rose" and "Angels in Love". In addition to her work in film and theatre, she also appeared in several television shows, including "The Lone Ranger" and "The Adventures of Superman". Blakeney passed away in 1959 from a heart attack at the age of 60.
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Billie Holiday
Billie Holiday (April 7, 1915 Philadelphia-July 17, 1959 New York City) also known as Billy Holliday, Eleanora Fagan Gough, Elinore Harris, billie_holiday, Lady Day, Eleanora Fagan or Billie Holiday (feat. Teddy Wilson & His Orchestra) was an American singer, composer, musician, songwriter and actor.
She is considered one of the greatest jazz and blues vocalists of all time, known for her unique and emotive voice, as well as her ability to interpret songs in a deeply personal and intimate way. Despite facing personal struggles throughout her life, including poverty, drug addiction, and systemic racism, Holiday continued to perform and record music that has had a lasting impact on the world of jazz and popular music. Some of her most famous recordings include "Strange Fruit," "God Bless the Child," and "Lover Man." In addition to her musical career, Holiday also acted in several films, including "New Orleans" and "Pete Kelly's Blues." Today, she remains one of the most celebrated and iconic figures in music history.
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Sylvia Lopez
Sylvia Lopez (August 24, 1936 Vienna-November 20, 1959 Rome) also known as Tania Karen, Sylvia Sinclair, Tatjana Bernt or Sylvia Sainclair was a French actor.
Lopez initially gained popularity as a model before transitioning to acting, where she starred in several French and Italian films throughout the 1950s. Her breakthrough role came in the film "La legge," directed by Jules Dassin, in 1959, which received critical acclaim and cemented her status as an up-and-coming actress. Unfortunately, Lopez's promising career was cut short when she died in a car accident in Rome at the young age of 23. Despite her brief time in the entertainment industry, Lopez left a lasting mark on cinema as an actress with great potential, leaving audiences wondering what could have been.
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Ethel Barrymore
Ethel Barrymore (August 15, 1879 Philadelphia-June 18, 1959 Los Angeles) a.k.a. Ethel Mae Blythe or Miss Ethel Barrymore was an American actor. She had three children, Samuel Colt, John Drew Colt and Ethel Barrymore Colt.
Barrymore came from a family of actors, known as the "Royal Family of Broadway." Her parents and siblings were all successful actors, and Ethel began performing onstage at a young age. She rose to prominence in the early 1900s, appearing in several successful plays and later branching out into film.
Throughout her career, Barrymore won numerous awards and accolades for her performances, including an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film "None But the Lonely Heart." She was also known for her philanthropic efforts, particularly in support of the American Red Cross and USO during World War II.
In addition to her work on stage and screen, Barrymore was a renowned beauty and fashion icon. Her signature style included elegant gowns, fur stoles, and distinctive hairstyles. She was also known for her wit and intelligence, and was respected as both an artist and humanitarian.
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Edna Wallace Hopper
Edna Wallace Hopper (January 17, 1872 San Francisco-December 14, 1959 New York City) also known as Edna Wallace or Mabel Douglas was an American actor.
She began acting in the 1890s and became a star of Broadway in the early 1900s, appearing in numerous productions. Hopper was known for her comedic timing and her ability to play a variety of roles. She also had a successful career in vaudeville and toured extensively throughout the United States. In addition to her work on stage, Hopper appeared in several silent films in the 1920s. She continued performing on stage until the 1950s, and was also a popular radio personality. Hopper was well-known for her philanthropic work and was involved with several charities throughout her life. She was inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame in 1979.
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Helen Parrish
Helen Parrish (March 12, 1924 Columbus-February 22, 1959 Hollywood) was an American actor. Her children are called Molly Lang and Charles George Lang, Jr..
Helen Parrish began her career at a very young age, making her film debut at the age of six in the movie "Pardon Us" alongside comedy duo Laurel and Hardy. Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, she appeared in numerous films and TV shows, including "Hollywood Party" and "That Certain Age." In addition to her acting career, Parrish was also known for her singing and dancing abilities, which she showcased in films like "The Great American Broadcast" and "Private Buckaroo." Unfortunately, Parrish's promising career came to an untimely end when she died at the age of 34 from complications related to diabetes.
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Gwili Andre
Gwili Andre (February 4, 1908 Copenhagen-February 5, 1959 Venice) also known as Gurli Andresen was a Danish actor. Her child is called Peter Lance Cross.
Gwili Andre began her acting career in Denmark but later moved to Hollywood, California to pursue her career in the film industry. She gained popularity for her performances in films such as "The Falcon's Brother" (1942) and "Two-Fisted Rangers" (1939). Andre was known for her striking beauty and talented acting skills, but her career was cut short due to personal struggles and financial difficulties. She made over a dozen films during her career, but unfortunately, most of them have been lost or destroyed. After leaving the film industry, Andre struggled to make a living and eventually passed away in Venice, Italy in 1959. Despite her relatively short career, she remains a notable figure in Hollywood history.
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Gilda Gray
Gilda Gray (October 24, 1901 Kraków-December 22, 1959 Hollywood Boulevard) otherwise known as The Shimmy Queen or Marianna Michalska was an American actor and dancer. Her child is called Martin Gorecki.
Gilda Gray was born in Kraków, Poland and immigrated to the United States at a young age. She began her career as a dancer and quickly gained popularity for her unique style of dance, which became known as the "shimmy." Her breakthrough performance came in the 1920s when she starred in the Ziegfeld Follies on Broadway.
Gray also appeared in several films during the 1920s and 1930s, including "The Devil Dancer" (1927), "The Shopworn Angel" (1928), and "Diamonds" (1929). She was known for her sultry on-screen presence and her ability to captivate audiences with her dancing.
In addition to her work on stage and screen, Gray was also a successful businesswoman. She owned several nightclubs, including the famous Gilda Gray's Club in Hollywood. Her nightclub was a popular spot for celebrities and high society, and she became known as one of the most successful female nightclub owners of her time.
Gray passed away at the age of 58 and is remembered as a trailblazing performer and entrepreneur in the entertainment industry.
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Kay Kendall
Kay Kendall (May 21, 1927 Withernsea-September 6, 1959 London) also known as Justine Kay Kendall-McCarthy, Justine Kay Kendall McCarthy or Katie was a British actor.
Kendall began her acting career in British films during the 1940s but achieved more significant success in the 1950s with starring roles in movies such as "Genevieve" and "Les Girls". She was well-known for her comedic talent and appeared in several light-hearted films throughout her career. Kendall was also a talented singer and dancer, showcasing her skills in musical films such as "Once More With Feeling" and "The Reluctant Debutante". Despite her achievements, Kendall's career was cut short when she tragically passed away at the age of 32 due to leukemia.
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Jane Winton
Jane Winton (October 10, 1905 Philadelphia-September 22, 1959 New York City) was an American actor, singer, writer, painter and dancer.
Winton started her career in the theatre, performing on Broadway in several productions such as "The Laugh Parade" and "Good News". She soon made her way to Hollywood, and went on to appear in several films, including "The Big Broadcast" and "Alice in Wonderland". Winton was known for her versatility and talent as a performer, and she also worked as a writer and painter. She wrote several books on dance and performed as a dancer in many productions. Later in her career, Winton focused mainly on her painting, and her artwork was exhibited in galleries throughout the United States. She passed away in 1959 from cancer.
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Rosalind Ivan
Rosalind Ivan (November 27, 1880 London-April 6, 1959 New York City) otherwise known as Ivan the Terrible was a British actor.
She began her acting career on the stage in London, where she appeared in numerous productions. In the 1930s, she moved to Hollywood and began appearing in films, often playing stern and severe characters. Ivan's most notable film roles include Mrs. Coulter in "Bride of Frankenstein" (1935) and Catherine's maid in "Wuthering Heights" (1939). In addition to her film work, she also made numerous television appearances in popular shows such as "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" and "The Twilight Zone." Despite her intimidating screen presence, Ivan was known for her kindness and generosity off-screen.
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Marcella Albani
Marcella Albani (December 7, 1899 Albano Laziale-May 11, 1959 Wiesbaden) a.k.a. Ida Maranca was an Italian actor.
She began her career as a child actress in Italian cinema during the silent film era, and later became a leading lady in the 1920s and 1930s, appearing in over 50 films. Albani was known for her beauty and glamour, often playing elegant and sophisticated characters. She also had great success on stage, especially in Germany where she appeared in numerous productions in the 1930s. Albani's career was interrupted by the outbreak of World War II, and she settled in Germany where she continued to act in films and on stage. She died in Wiesbaden, Germany at the age of 59.
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Helena Pickard
Helena Pickard (October 13, 1900 Sheffield-September 27, 1959 Oxfordshire) a.k.a. Helena Marie Pickard, Helena (Pickard) Hardwicke or Helena Hardwicke was a British actor. Her child is called Edward Hardwicke.
Helena Pickard began her acting career in the early 1920s, primarily focusing on stage productions. She later made her way to the big screen, starring in several British films during the 1930s and 40s. She was known for her versatility and range as an actor, with notable performances in films such as "The Mystery of the Mary Celeste" and "Double Exposure".
In addition to her successful acting career, Pickard was also active in politics and social causes. She was a member of the Labour Party and supported various feminist and anti-fascist movements. During World War II, she worked as a nurse and ambulance driver.
Pickard was married to actor Cedric Hardwicke from 1928 until their divorce in 1960. They had one child together, actor Edward Hardwicke, who is best known for his portrayal of Dr. Watson in the television series "Sherlock Holmes". Helena Pickard passed away in 1959 at the age of 58.
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Everley Gregg
Everley Gregg (October 26, 1903 Stoke Bishop-June 9, 1959 Beaconsfield) also known as Everly Gregg was an English actor.
She began her career in the 1920s with small roles in British films before moving to Hollywood in the 1930s. Gregg appeared in several Hollywood productions, including "The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt" (1939) and "Charlie Chan in London" (1934).
In addition to her acting work, Gregg was also an accomplished playwright and screenwriter. She wrote several plays, including "The Five-Guinea Girl" and "The Glass Slipper," which were both produced in London's West End.
Gregg continued to act in films and on stage throughout the 1940s and into the 1950s. She appeared in films such as "The Man Who Wouldn't Talk" (1958) and "The Wages of Fear" (1953).
Sadly, Gregg's life was cut short when she passed away from cancer at the age of 55. Despite her relatively short career, she made a lasting impact on the entertainment industry and is remembered as a talented and versatile performer.
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Lyda Borelli
Lyda Borelli (March 22, 1884 Rivarolo Ligure-June 2, 1959 Rome) was an Italian actor. She had one child, Giorgio Cini Jr..
Lyda Borelli was considered one of the greatest actresses of the Italian silent cinema era. She began her acting career at the age of 14 and quickly gained popularity for her talent and striking looks. She starred in several films directed by her husband, film director Mario Corsi, including "Fior di male" and "Rapsodia Satanica". Borelli's performances were known for their emotional intensity and expressive gestures, and she was often compared to the great actress Sarah Bernhardt. Despite her success, Borelli retired from acting in 1920 at the age of 36. She lived the rest of her life in relative seclusion, but her impact on Italian cinema is still felt today.
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Ethel Teare
Ethel Teare (January 11, 1894 Phoenix-March 4, 1959 San Mateo) also known as Ethel O. Risso was an American actor.
She worked in both silent and sound films, and was known for her versatility and skill as a character actress. Teare appeared in over 100 films during her career, often playing supporting roles such as maids, nurses, and secretaries. Some of her notable film credits include "Abbott and Costello Meet the Mummy" (1955), "The Invisible Man's Revenge" (1944), and "The Prince and the Pauper" (1937). In addition to her work on screen, Teare also had a successful career as a stage actress, appearing in several Broadway productions in the 1920s and 1930s. She passed away from heart failure at the age of 65.
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Gerda Lundequist
Gerda Lundequist (February 14, 1871 Stockholm-October 23, 1959 Stockholm) also known as Gerda Carola Cecilia Lundequist, Gerda Lundeqvist Dahlström, Gerda Lundeqvist or The Swedish Bernhardt was a Swedish actor. Her child is called Cecilia Lundequist.
Lundequist was one of the most celebrated actresses of her time, known for her powerful voice and emotive performances on stage. She began her acting career in Stockholm in the late 1800s and later went on to perform in various theaters across Europe, including the Burgtheater in Vienna and the Comédie-Française in Paris.
Lundequist was also a trailblazer for women in the theater industry, becoming the first female director of the Swedish National Theatre in 1928, a position she held for several years. She was a strong advocate for women's rights and often portrayed strong, independent female characters in her performances.
In addition to her work in the theater, Lundequist also appeared in several films, including the 1917 silent film Invocation, based on the play by August Strindberg.
After a long and illustrious career, Lundequist retired from acting in the 1940s and spent her final years in Stockholm. She remains a celebrated figure in Swedish theater history and a testament to the power of women in the arts.
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Maria Duleba
Maria Duleba (October 17, 1881 Kraków-May 6, 1959 Warsaw) was a Polish actor.
She was born in Kraków, Poland on October 17, 1881. Maria Duleba made her acting debut on stage at the age of 20, and she quickly gained popularity for her exceptional performances. She was known for her acting roles in both drama and comedy.
In 1914, she became a co-founder of the legendary Polski Theater in Warsaw, which was known for presenting modern and innovative theatrical plays. Maria Duleba remained a prominent figure in the theater until its closure in 1939, due to World War II.
During the war, Maria Duleba was involved in underground activities against the Nazi regime in Poland. After the war, she continued her acting career and became a member of the National Theater in Warsaw.
Maria Duleba passed away in Warsaw on May 6, 1959, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most renowned actors in Polish theater history.
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Erika Glässner
Erika Glässner (February 28, 1890 Erfurt-July 21, 1959 Giessen) also known as Erika Gläßner was a German actor.
She was known for her work in both theater and film. Glässner started her acting career at a young age, and by the 1920s had become a popular performer on the German stage. She made her film debut in 1916 and went on to appear in dozens of German films over the course of her career. Glässner was highly regarded for her performances in both comedic and dramatic roles and was known for her versatility as an actor. She continued to work in theater and film throughout her life, and her legacy as one of Germany's most talented performers endures to this day.
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Thea Rosenquist
Thea Rosenquist (May 8, 1896 Lübeck-July 26, 1959 Vancouver) was a German actor.
She is best known for her roles in the German films of the 1920s and 1930s, including "L'Atlantide" (1921), "The Loves of Pharaoh" (1922), and "Napoleon at St. Helena" (1929). Rosenquist began her acting career on stage and later transitioned to film. She often played strong and commanding female characters, and her performances were praised for their emotional depth and nuance.
In 1933, Rosenquist left Germany and settled in Hollywood, where she continued to act in films such as "Algiers" (1938) and "The Conspirators" (1944). She also appeared in several stage productions and radio dramas.
During World War II, Rosenquist was an active supporter of the Allied war effort, and she helped to organize and participate in fundraising events to support the troops. After the war, she lived in Canada for several years before returning to Germany in the 1950s. Rosenquist died in Vancouver in 1959 at the age of 63.
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Maria Gorczyńska
Maria Gorczyńska (January 27, 1899 Lublin-June 23, 1959 Warsaw) also known as Maria Gorczynska was a Polish actor and theatre director.
She studied at the Actors Studio of Kazimierz Brodzinski in Warsaw and debuted on stage in 1919. In the interwar period, she performed at several professional theaters in Warsaw and Krakow, including the Stary Theatre and the National Theatre. During World War II, she continued to act in illegal underground theaters despite the danger of being discovered by German occupiers. After the war, she became a director and led a number of successful productions. She was also involved in the training and education of young actors at the State Acting School. In recognition of her artistic achievements, she was awarded the State Prize in 1950. She died in 1959 and was buried at the Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw.
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