Evelyn Keyes was a beautiful and talented actress who rose to fame in the 1930s and 1940s, starring in films such as Here Comes Mr. Jordan, The Jolson Story, and Mrs. Mike. She is best remembered for her role as Suellen O’Hara, the younger sister of Scarlett O’Hara, in the classic epic Gone with the Wind. But what was Evelyn Keyes cause of death, and how did she cope with her illness and mortality?
A Life of Love and Loss
Evelyn Keyes was born on November 20, 1916, in Port Arthur, Texas, to a Methodist minister’s daughter and a naval engineer. Her father died when she was only two years old, and she moved with her mother and siblings to Atlanta, Georgia, where she grew up. She developed a passion for dancing and performing, and at the age of 17, she left for Hollywood to pursue her dream of becoming a star.
She was discovered by Cecil B. DeMille, who signed her to a contract and gave her a small part in his film The Buccaneer. She then landed the role of Suellen O’Hara in Gone with the Wind, which catapulted her to fame and led to a contract with Columbia Pictures. She appeared in many films for the studio, often playing the leading lady or the love interest of the male star. She also had a successful career on Broadway, radio, and television.
Evelyn Keyes was married four times, to businessman Barton Bainbridge, director Charles Vidor, actor-director John Huston, and bandleader Artie Shaw. She also had affairs with many famous men, including producer Mike Todd, actor David Niven, and writer John Fante. She wrote candidly about her personal life in her two memoirs, Scarlett O’Hara’s Younger Sister and I Am a Billboard. She admitted that she was always looking for love and happiness, but never found it in her marriages or relationships.
A Battle with Cancer and Alzheimer’s
Evelyn Keyes was diagnosed with uterine cancer in 2000, and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. She also suffered from Alzheimer’s disease, which gradually robbed her of her memory and cognition. She lived in a nursing home in Montecito, California, where she was cared for by her friend and producer Allan Glaser. She died on July 4, 2008, at the age of 91, from complications of her cancer and Alzheimer’s.
Evelyn Keyes was not afraid of death, and faced it with courage and humor. She once said, “I’m not interested in heaven or hell. I’m interested in the here and now.” She also joked that she wanted her ashes to be scattered over the Galleria department store in Sherman Oaks, California, where she loved to shop. She said, “I don’t want anyone visiting my grave and crying. I want them to go to the Galleria and have a good time.”
Evelyn Keyes was a remarkable woman who lived a full and adventurous life. She left behind a legacy of films and books that showcase her beauty, talent, and personality. She was one of the last surviving stars of Gone with the Wind, and one of the most memorable. Evelyn Keyes cause of death was a sad end to a brilliant career, but she will always be remembered as a shining star of Hollywood’s golden age.
