1. Elaine Stritch (February 2, 1975 – July 17, 2014)
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Elaine Stritch (February 2, 1975 – July 17, 2014)
Between her work on Broadway and her appearances in Hollywood, singer and actress Elaine Stretch made quite the name for herself throughout her 66-year career.
Most of Stritch’s early and mid-career roles were in television series. She starred in a number of American and British shows including The Ellen Burstyn Show (1986-1987), My Sister Eileen (1955), The Cosby Show (1984-1992), and Two’s Company (1975-1979). She won Emmy awards for her appearances in 30 Rock (2006/2013) and Law & Order (1992).
Later in her singing/acting career, Stritch’s solo role in the one-woman production Elaine Stritch at Liberty (2001) won a Tony Award for Best Special Theatrical Event and the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Solo Performance. In the performance she discusses her experience in Hollywood as well as her struggles with alcoholism—struggles that worsened after the death of her husband, actor John Bay. In the show she wears her signature look—an oversized white button-down over sheer black tights—no pants.
The actress died of natural causes in her home, she was buried next to her husband in Chicago.
2. James Garner (April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014)
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James Garner (April 7, 1928 – July 19, 2014)
James Garner, commonly recognized as the suave Bret Maverick (Maverick 1957-1962) or the clever Jim Rockford (The Rockford Files 1974), starred in over fifty films throughout his five-decade acting career.
Garner’s interests didn’t end with acting. Thanks to knee injuries and grades that prevented him from getting a football scholarship, Garner lived his football dreams though the Los Angeles/Oakland Raiders NFL football team. He regularly attended games and interacted with the players both on the bench and in the locker room.
Golf was another favorite pastime of the famous Western star, and he had no problem using his celebrity status to get him on the greens of golf courses all over the world (source: Irish Times).
In keeping with his personal wishes, no funeral or memorial services were held for James Garner. Instead, family members asked for donations to animal rescue organizations and shelters.
3. Lauren Bacall (September 16, 1924 – August 12, 2014)
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Lauren Bacall (September 16, 1924 – August 12, 2014)
It’s hard to say which is more famous—Lauren Bacall’s distinctive good looks, or her sultry, seductive voice. The model-turned-actress earned several awards and nominations throughout her career including a 1970 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and a 2009 Academy Honorary Award in recognition of her central place in the golden age of motion pictures.
Later in life when asked about her most important role, Bacall named the first of her movies with cultural-icon Humphrey Bogart To Have and Have Not (1944). The movie not only introduced her to the acting world, but also to her future husband, Bogart. “Bogie and Bacall,” as the couple came to be known, starred in three more films including The Big Sleep (1946), Dark Passage (1947), and Key Largo (1948).
Lauren Bacall’s funeral was very small and private, with a larger reception afterward. Guests spent hours looking at old photos of Bacall and her acting career.
4. Mickey Rooney (September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014)
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Mickey Rooney (September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014)
Mickey Rooney claimed one of the longest acting careers in all of Hollywood. He started out as a child actor (age 1 in a vaudeville act), and 90 years later was still making appearances. It wasn’t smooth sailing all the way, however. He had plenty of ups and downs—declines and epic comebacks.
Rooney was a very talented individual. Besides being “the greatest actor of them all” (according to Laurence Olivier), he was also skilled in singing, dancing, clown playing, and musical ability.
Known for his role in The Hardy Boys Series (1930s and 1940s) and his team roles with Judy Garland, Rooney’s life was more than just stints in Tinseltown. He was drafted into the Army and served about 2 years during World War II. His service included entertaining on stage and over the radio.
His personal life was just as rocky as his career. He was married eight times, struggled with alcohol and drug addiction, filed for bankruptcy, and was mistreated by his family members. At his death, his estate was valued at a mere $18,000 with unpaid back taxes and medical bills. Despite the tragic end of his personal life, Rooney will always be remembered as one of the top box-office stars in the United States.
Due to his financial situation, Hollywood paid for his funeral.
5. Ann B. Davis (September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014)
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Ann B. Davis (September 23, 1920 – April 6, 2014)
Ann Davis was best known for her beloved role as Alice Nelson, the housekeeper of the Brady household in the TV series The Brady Bunch (1969-1974). The role that gave her the most prominence, however, was her part on The Bob Cummings Show (1955/1959), which earned her the Primetime Emmy Award for outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series.
After high school, Davis thought she wanted to work in the medical field, and enrolled in the University of Michigan as a pre-med student. But her brother’s performance in Oklahoma! changed everything. After seeing the production, she decided to change to drama, and graduated in 1948 with a degree in drama and speech.
Davis never married, and was known for her volunteer work for the Episcopal Church. She never officially retired from acting, however, and worked as the spokeswoman in Shake ‘n Bake™ commercials, as well as making appearances in Swiffer™ commercials.
A private funeral was held at St. Helena’s Episcopal Church in Boerne—her home parish.
These five Hollywood figures each made huge contributions to the world of filmmaking and entertainment. Their legacies will live on and continue to inspire both aspiring artists and film aficionados alike.
Informational credit to cremationsanfrancisco.net
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