Vera-Ellen was one of the most talented and graceful dancers to ever grace the silver screen. She starred in some of the most iconic musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, such as On the Town, White Christmas, and Three Little Words. She dazzled audiences with her amazing moves and charming personality, and partnered with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Fred Astaire, Gene Kelly, and Danny Kaye. But behind her radiant smile and glamorous image, Vera-Ellen had a tragic and troubled life that ended too soon. What was Vera-Ellen’s cause of death, and how did it affect her legacy and the musical genre?
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Vera-Ellen’s Early Life and Career
Vera-Ellen was born as Vera-Ellen Westmeier Rohe on February 16, 1921, in Norwood, Ohio. She was the only child of Martin F. Rohe, a piano dealer, and Alma C. Westmeier, a homemaker. Both of her parents were of German descent. Vera-Ellen’s mother gave her a hyphenated first name after having a dream in which she saw it in lights. Vera-Ellen started dancing at the age of 10, and soon became very proficient. She was one of the youngest students at the Hessler Studio of Dancing, where she met another future star, Doris Day.
At the age of 13, Vera-Ellen won a contest on the Major Bowes Amateur Hour radio show, and began her professional career. She moved to New York City and made her Broadway debut in 1939, in the musical Very Warm for May. She then became one of the youngest Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall, and appeared in several other Broadway shows, such as Panama Hattie, By Jupiter, and A Connecticut Yankee. She caught the eye of Hollywood producer Samuel Goldwyn, who cast her opposite Danny Kaye in her first film, Wonder Man, in 1945.
Vera-Ellen’s Rise to Fame and Personal Struggles
Vera-Ellen quickly rose to fame as one of the most popular dancers in Hollywood. She showcased her skills and versatility in a variety of musical genres, from comedy to drama to romance. She danced with Gene Kelly in Words and Music and On the Town, with Fred Astaire in Three Little Words and The Belle of New York, with Donald O’Connor in Call Me Madam, and with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in White Christmas. She also appeared in the last Marx Brothers film, Love Happy. She was praised for her energy, elegance, and charisma on screen.
However, Vera-Ellen also faced many personal challenges and hardships throughout her life. She suffered from severe health problems as a child, which led her to use dance as a form of therapy. She also struggled with anorexia nervosa, which caused her to lose a lot of weight and become very thin. She was insecure about her appearance and wore high-necked costumes to hide her aging neck. She also had a turbulent love life. She married twice: first to Robert Hightower, a dancer who cheated on her; then to Victor Rothschild, a British millionaire who divorced her after their daughter died from SIDS at three months old.
Vera-Ellen’s Cause of Death and Legacy
Vera-Ellen retired from acting in the late 1950s, after starring in her last film, Let’s Be Happy, in 1957. She lived a reclusive life in Los Angeles, California, where she devoted herself to charity work and animal welfare causes. She also suffered from depression and loneliness after losing her daughter and both of her parents. She died on August 30, 1981, at the age of 60, from ovarian cancer. She was buried at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Sylmar, California.
Vera-Ellen’s cause of death shocked and saddened many of her fans and colleagues. She was remembered as one of the most talented dancers ever to appear on film. Her legacy lives on through her films, which are still enjoyed by millions of people around the world. She is also honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1560 Vine Street.
Vera-Ellen was a remarkable woman who overcame many obstacles to achieve fame and success. She brought joy and beauty to millions of people with her dancing skills and charming personality. She was a true star who left an indelible mark on the history of Hollywood musicals.
