Estelle Winwood was an English actress who became famous for her roles in Broadway, film, and television. She was best known for playing Aunt Clara, a witch who often lost her powers, in the sitcom Bewitched. She was also one of the oldest working actresses in Hollywood, appearing in films until she was 96 years old. But how did she live so long and what was her cause of death?
Early Life and Career
Estelle Winwood was born as Estelle Ruth Goodwin on January 24, 1883, in Lee, Kent, England. She decided to become an actress at the age of five and trained with the Lyric Stage Academy in London. She made her professional debut in Johannesburg, South Africa, at the age of 20. During the First World War, she joined the Liverpool Repertory Company and then moved on to a career in London’s West End.
She moved to the U.S. in 1916 and made her Broadway debut in New York City. She divided her time between New York and London until the 1930s, appearing in plays such as A Successful Calamity, A Little Journey, Spring Cleaning, The Distaff Side, The Importance of Being Earnest, When We Are Married, Ladies in Retirement, The Pirate, Ten Little Indians, Lady Windermere’s Fan, and The Madwoman of Chaillot.
Film and Television
Winwood was reluctant to appear in films and resisted the offers she received during the 1920s. She finally made her film debut in Night Angel in 1931, but her scenes were cut before the film’s release. Her official film debut came in The House of Trent in 1933, and Quality Street in 1937 was her first role of note. She made no films during the 1940s, but expressed a willingness to participate in the new medium of television, starring in a television production of Blithe Spirit in 1946.
During the 1950s, she appeared more frequently in television than in film, in series such as Robert Montgomery Presents, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and The Donna Reed Show. She also played Hortense in the episode “Where’s There’s a Will” on the ABC sitcom The Real McCoys. Her few films from that period include The Glass Slipper, The Swan, and 23 Paces to Baker Street.
Her most memorable role came in the 1960s, when she played Aunt Clara on Bewitched. She appeared in 18 episodes from 1964 to 1968, and became a fan favorite for her quirky and lovable character. She also appeared in films such as Darby O’Gill and the Little People, The Misfits, The Magic Sword, The Notorious Landlady, Dead Ringer, Camelot, and The Producers. She later regretted doing the last film, saying she only did it for the money.
Personal Life and Death
Winwood was married three times, but had no children. Her first husband was actor Arthur Chesney, whom she married in 1901 and divorced in 1928. Her second husband was Francis Barlow Bradley, whom she married in 1928 and died in 1929. Her third husband was Robert Barton Henderson, whom she married in 1944.
Winwood was known for her wit and longevity. She once said, “I have no time to grow old.” She attributed her long life to her vegetarian diet, yoga, and meditation. She also avoided smoking, drinking, and drugs. She was friends with many celebrities, such as Bette Davis, Tallulah Bankhead, and Noel Coward.
Winwood died in her sleep in Woodland Hills, California, on June 20, 1984, at the age of 101. Her cause of death was natural causes, according to Dead or Kicking. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. She left behind a legacy of laughter and charm, and a record of being one of the oldest working actresses in history.
