Alan Sues was a comic actor who rose to fame as a regular on the hit TV show Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in the late 1960s and early 1970s. He was known for his flamboyant and zany characters, such as Big Al the Sportscaster, Uncle Al the Kiddies’ Pal, and Jo Anne Worley. He also appeared in movies, stage plays, commercials, and game shows. He died on December 1, 2011, at the age of 85. But what was Alan Sues cause of death?
Cardiac Arrest
According to his friend and administrator, Michael Gregg Michaud, Alan Sues died of cardiac arrest at his home in West Hollywood. He was sitting in a recliner watching TV with his dachshund Doris, who he loved, in his lap. Michaud said that Sues had health problems in his later years, but his death came as a shock to friends.
Cardiac arrest is a sudden loss of heart function, which causes the heart to stop pumping blood to the rest of the body. It is different from a heart attack, which is caused by a blockage in the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart. Cardiac arrest can be triggered by a heart attack, but it can also be caused by other factors, such as abnormal heart rhythms, heart disease, drug overdose, or trauma.
Cardiac arrest is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. If not treated within minutes, it can lead to death or permanent brain damage. The most effective treatment is cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and defibrillation, which can restore the heart’s normal rhythm and blood flow.
A Legacy of Laughter
Alan Sues was born on March 7, 1926, in Ross, California. He served in the U.S. Army in Europe during World War II. He then pursued a career in acting, making his Broadway debut in Tea and Sympathy, directed by Elia Kazan, in 1953. He also appeared in The Twilight Zone, The Americanization of Emily, and Move Over, Darling.
He joined the cast of Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In in 1968, where he became a fan favorite with his outrageous and campy humor. He left the show in 1973, but continued to work in TV and commercials, most notably as Peter Pan for Peter Pan Peanut Butter. He also starred in stage productions, such as Sherlock Holmes, Singin’ in the Rain, and Hairspray. His last role was in a short film called Artificially Speaking in 2009.
Alan Sues was openly gay, but he did not discuss his sexuality publicly until later in life. He married Phyllis Gehrig, a dancer and actress, in 1953, but they divorced in 1958. He never remarried. He was a supporter of animal rights and environmental causes. He leaves behind a sister-in-law, two nieces, and a nephew.
Alan Sues cause of death may have been tragic, but his life was full of laughter and joy. He will be remembered as one of the funniest and most original comedians of his generation. He once said, “I don’t know where the outrageousness comes from. I think it’s a combination of things. I think partly it’s because I’m gay, and maybe I have a certain sensitivity that lends itself to comedy. And partly it’s because I’m a ham.”
