Sadly, fame apparently takes its toll on some people. From Hollywood to the music scene, there are numerous examples of famous persons becoming depressed, acting crazy, getting into trouble and sometimes, committing suicide. It is a sad trend that seems to go back as far as fame itself. It is hard to tell if it is more likely for famous people to end their lives or if it is just more likely that we will notice. Either way, these suicides stick in our minds. Some of them are outrageous, some of them are simple and others are accidental. All of them are sad in their own right.
Memorable Celebrity Suicide #5: Peg Entwistle
We cannot really call Peg Entwistle a celebrity, but she may very well have been on her way. She was beautiful, her looks fitting for the 20s and 30s entertainment scene that she was trying to break into. She first found work in New York and then moved to Hollywood when the work thinned out. She found some work there, but did not give herself much of a chance. She killed herself the same year she moved to California.
Both of Peg Entwistle’s parents died when Peg was young. Peg decided to live with an uncle and pursue a career in show business after her father died. Peg found work in both Boston and New York and her career seemed promising. She got married young, to a man much older than her. He milked her for alimony for his first wife and then they divorced. Not long after, it became difficult for Peg to find work, so she made her way to California.
On September 18, 1932, the beautiful 24-year-old went out drinking. When she told her companions she was going home, she went to the hill in Hollywood where the famous Hollywood sign stands. Of course, back then it said Hollywoodland. Peg climbed up the hill and when she got to the base of the H, she removed her coat and folded it. She then placed her coat and purse on the ground and climbed the ladder to the top of the H. Once she reached the top, she dove off. It is believed that she died on impact. Her suicide note read, “I am afraid. I am a coward. I am sorry for everything. If I had done this a long time ago, it would have saved a lot of pain.”
Memorable Celebrity Suicide #4: Albert Dekker
Albert Dekker is best known for his role as Dr. Cyclops, though he played in several other popular films. He was also a California State Legislator. What people did not know is that he had a very strange (for the time) and dangerous fetish. Albert Dekker enjoyed bondage.
On May 5, 1968, Albert Dekker’s fiancé showed up at the door of his apartment on Normandie Avenue, L.A. She had not seen him in three days and she was concerned. There were several notes on his apartment door from other people who had been looking for him as well. She convinced the building’s manager to unlock the door for her. They stepped inside and saw nothing out of the ordinary in the apartment, except the bathroom door was locked. She fought her way in and then fainted.
Sixty-two-year-old Albert Dekker was on his knees in the bathtub, dead. He was naked and had blindfolded himself with a scarf. Strapped to his body were numerous bondage tools, including a bit in his mouth and a loose noose around his neck. He had drawn on himself with red lipstick. He had written words like slave, whip and some expletives. He had even drawn female genitalia on his stomach. He had died some days before he was found. The cause of death was erotic asphyxiation. It was ruled an accidental suicide.
Memorable Celebrity Suicide #3: Jonathan Brandis
Jonathan Brandis best known the adorable blond boy who appeared in Stephen King’s IT and starred in The Neverending Story II. He was also seen in numerous popular television shows and movies. He was a 90s teen heartthrob who died far too young.
Prior to Jonathan Brandis’ suicide, he had been displaying symptoms of depression. He reportedly spoke of committing suicide, but it was not taken seriously, or seriously enough, by those close to him. One day, he and some friends were in his apartment when Jonathan walked into another room. In the other room, he hanged himself. His friends found him while he was still alive. Sadly, he died the next day on November 12, 2003. He is sorely missed by his fans, friends and family. He was only 27-years-old.
Memorable Celebrity Suicide #2: Clara Blandick
Clara Blandick is best known for her role as the lovable Auntie Em in the Wizard of Oz. By all accounts, she was also lovable in her role as Clara Blandick. Sadly, this lovable lady had it rough in her twilight years. She began going blind and by the time she was 80, she could barely see. She also lived in extreme pain caused by arthritis. She could not bear to live anymore. She committed suicide when she 80 years old.
Clara was in her apartment on April 15, 1962 when she decided to commit suicide. She overdosed on sleeping pills and pulled a plastic bag over her head. Her brave suicide note read, “I am now about to make the great adventure.”
Memorable Celebrity Suicide #1: Kurt Cobain
Kurt Cobain was the unassuming front man for the wildly popular rock band Nirvana. He and his band became popular in the late 80s, early 90s with their hit single “Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Before the band became popular however, Kurt was already suffering from drug addiction. With fame came even more problems, problems Kurt was not equipped to deal with. He wanted a simple life. Being rich and famous was not simple. He became even more addicted and began a toxic relationship with his addict wife, Courtney Love.
On April 8, 1994, Kurt Cobain was found dead in the room over the greenhouse in his home in Seattle, Washington. He had injected exorbitant amounts of heroin before shooting himself in the head with a shotgun. He had been dead for three days before his body was found.
There are many conspiracy theories surrounding the death of this tormented and talented man. Many believe that his wife conspired to kill him or, at least, drove him to suicide. It is true that the pair had a tumultuous relationship and may have been in the process of divorcing one another. However, she has not been charged with any crime relating to his death. The truth is, we may never know. Kurt was such a tortured soul to begin with that it is not hard to believe that he would commit suicide. Sadly, he left behind a young daughter, Francis Bean.
These suicides remind us that nobody is exempt from depression. No matter how rich, how popular and/or how successful you are, you can still live in the grip of depression and find it impossible to cope. If you are feeling depressed, no amount of money is going to help you. What can help you are support, love and treatment. If you or a loved one is suffering is contemplating suicide, you can get help. Call 1-800-273-TALK to get help. It is free and confidential, so no matter who you are, you get the same help and nobody has to know.
Sources
Wilkins, Frank, Suicide and the Hollywood Sign, retrieved 8/2/10, franksreelreviews.com/shorttakes/hollywoodland.htm
Jonathan Brandis Memorial, retrieved 8/2/10, suicide.org/memorials/jonathan-brandis.html
Clara Blandwick, retrieved 8/2/10, findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&Grid;=2085
The Death of Albert Dekker, retrieved 8/2/10, findadeath.com/Deceased/d/dekker/albert_dekker.htm
