Betty Hutton was a popular actress, singer, and comedian who rose to fame in the 1940s as a contract star for Paramount Pictures. She appeared in many musicals and comedies, such as The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek, Annie Get Your Gun, and The Greatest Show on Earth. She was known for her energetic and sometimes manic performance style, which earned her the nickname “The Blonde Bombshell”. However, behind her cheerful persona, she struggled with personal issues, such as depression, alcoholism, and drug addiction. She died in 2007 at the age of 86 from complications of colon cancer. Here is a brief overview of her life and death.
Early Life and Career
Betty Hutton was born Elizabeth June Thornburg on February 26, 1921, in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her father abandoned the family when she was two years old and committed suicide 16 years later. Her mother worked as a bootlegger during the Prohibition era and ran a speakeasy. Betty began singing at a young age to entertain the customers and help her family financially. She also performed in local nightclubs and radio shows.
In 1940, she moved to New York City and landed roles in Broadway musicals, such as Two for the Show and Panama Hattie. She caught the attention of Paramount Pictures, who signed her to a contract in 1941. She made her film debut in The Fleet’s In (1942), co-starring with Dorothy Lamour and William Holden. She quickly became one of the studio’s most valuable stars, appearing in hit films like The Perils of Pauline (1947), Incendiary Blonde (1945), and Red, Hot and Blue (1949).
Personal Problems and Decline
Despite her success, Betty was unhappy with her career and felt that she was not given enough opportunities to showcase her acting talent. She also had a turbulent personal life, marrying and divorcing four times and having three children. She suffered from chronic depression, which led her to abuse alcohol and prescription drugs. She also had conflicts with studio executives, directors, and co-stars.
In 1952, she walked out of her Paramount contract after a dispute over her demand that her then-husband direct her films. She made only one more film after that, Spring Reunion (1957), which was a flop. She tried to revive her career with a television series, The Betty Hutton Show (1959-1960), but it was canceled after one season due to low ratings.
Later Years and Death
By the 1970s, Betty had lost most of her fortune and became nearly destitute. She attempted suicide several times and was hospitalized for nervous breakdowns. She converted to Catholicism and found refuge in a Rhode Island rectory, where she worked as a cook and housekeeper for a priest. She also enrolled in Salve Regina University and earned a master’s degree in psychology in 1986.
She returned to the stage briefly in 1980, replacing Alice Ghostley in the Broadway musical Annie. She also taught acting at Emerson College in Boston for a few years. In 1999, she moved to Palm Springs, California, where she lived quietly until her death.
Betty Hutton died on March 11, 2007, at the age of 86 from complications of colon cancer. She was buried at Desert Memorial Park in Cathedral City, California. For her contribution to the motion picture industry, she has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame located at 6259 Hollywood Boulevard.
Conclusion
Betty Hutton was one of the most vibrant and versatile performers of Hollywood’s golden age. She entertained millions of fans with her singing, dancing, and comedy skills. However, she also faced many challenges and hardships in her life that took a toll on her health and happiness. She died of
