Marilyn Maxwell was one of the most popular and glamorous actresses of the 1940s and 1950s. She starred in several movies, radio shows, and TV programs, and entertained the troops during World War II and the Korean War with Bob Hope. She was also known for her affairs with famous men, such as Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, and John F. Kennedy. But her life was cut short by a sudden and tragic death at the age of 50. What was the cause of her death and what were the circumstances surrounding it?
Early Life and Career
Marilyn Maxwell was born as Marvel Marilyn Maxwell on August 3, 1921, in Clarinda, Iowa. She was the only child of Charles and Elizabeth Maxwell, who ran a general store. She showed an early interest in singing and dancing, and performed in local shows and contests. She dropped out of high school in her sophomore year to join an Indianapolis band as a singer
She moved to Hollywood in 1942 and signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). She changed her first name to Marilyn at the suggestion of Louis B. Mayer, the head of MGM. She made her film debut in Stand by for Action (1942), a World War II propaganda film with Robert Taylor and Charles Laughton. She went on to appear in musicals, comedies, dramas, and thrillers, such as Thousands Cheer (1943), Lost in a Harem (1944), Champion (1949), The Lemon Drop Kid (1951), New York Confidential (1955), and Rock-A-Bye Baby (1958). She also introduced the popular Christmas song “Silver Bells” with Bob Hope in The Lemon Drop Kid
She was also a regular on radio shows, such as The Abbott and Costello Show, Beat the Band, and Stars Over Hollywood. She became friends with Bob Hope, who invited her to join him on USO tours to entertain the troops during World War II and the Korean War. She was nicknamed “Mrs. Bob Hope” by the soldiers, who adored her blonde beauty and sexy persona. She also had a romantic relationship with Hope, who was married at the tim
Personal Life and Affairs
Marilyn Maxwell was married three times, but none of her marriages lasted long. Her first husband was actor John Conte, whom she married in 1944 and divorced in 1946. Her second husband was restaurateur Anders McIntyre, whom she married in 1950 and divorced in 1951. Her third husband was writer-producer Jerry Davis, whom she married in 1954 and divorced in 1960. She had one son with Davis, Matthew, who was born in 1956
She also had several affairs with famous men, such as Frank Sinatra, Clark Gable, John F. Kennedy, Howard Hughes, Errol Flynn, Mickey Rooney, and Robert Mitchum. She met Sinatra when they were both singers in big bands in the late 1930s. They became friends and lovers in the mid-1940s, when Sinatra was married to Nancy Sinatra. Marilyn wore a diamond bracelet that Sinatra had bought for Nancy, which caused a scandal
She also had a brief affair with Kennedy in 1960, when he was running for president. She met him through Sinatra, who was one of his supporters. She claimed that Kennedy proposed to her, but she turned him down because she did not want to be a political wife
Cause of Death
On March 20, 1972, Marilyn Maxwell died of a heart attack at her home in Beverly Hills, California. She was 50 years old. Her son Matthew, who was 15 at the time, found her body in the bathroom when he came home from school. He called his father Jerry Davis, who rushed to the scene with his wife Barbara Rush. They tried to revive Marilyn with mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and CPR, but it was too late
The coroner’s report stated that Marilyn died of heart failure due to hypertension and pulmonary edema (fluid accumulation in the lungs). She also had arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the airways). She had been suffering from high blood pressure and a respiratory ailment for some time before her death. She had also been taking medication for depression and insomnia
Marilyn’s funeral was held on March 23 at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean. Among the mourners were Bob Hope, Frank Sinatra, Jerry Lewis, Dean Martin, and Sammy Davis Jr
Marilyn Maxwell was one of the most talented and glamorous stars of her era. She left behind a legacy of films, songs, and memories that are still cherished by her fans and admirers. She also left behind a son, who inherited her talent and became a successful musician and composer. He said of his mother: “She was a wonderful person. She had a great sense of humor and a great love of life. She was always there for me.”
