Janet Margolin was a talented and versatile actress who appeared in several movies and TV shows in the 1960s and 1970s. She was best known for her roles in David and Lisa, Take the Money and Run, and Annie Hall. However, her life and career were cut short by a devastating disease that claimed her life at the age of 50. Here is a brief overview of Janet Margolin’s cause of death and how she fought against ovarian cancer.
Early Life and Career
Janet Margolin was born on July 25, 1943, in New York City, to Jewish parents Benjamin and Annette Margolin. Her father was a Russian-born accountant who founded the Nephrosis Foundation, now the Kidney Foundation of New York, and her mother was a dental assistant. Janet attended the High School of Performing Arts and developed an interest in acting at a young age.
She made her Broadway debut at the age of 18, playing Anna in Morris West’s Daughter of Silence, for which she received a Tony Award nomination. She then landed her first movie role as Lisa in David and Lisa, a 1962 drama about two mentally ill teenagers who fall in love. The film was critically acclaimed and earned Janet a Golden Globe nomination.
She went on to star in several films in the 1960s, such as The Greatest Story Ever Told, Morituri, Nevada Smith, Enter Laughing, Buona Sera, Mrs. Campbell, and Take the Money and Run. She also appeared in various TV shows, such as The Edge of Night, Ben Casey, Alcoa Premiere, Arrest and Trial, The Fugitive, The Virginian, and The Alfred Hitchcock Hour.
Marriage and Family
Janet Margolin married twice in her life. Her first husband was Jerry Brandt, an entrepreneur and music promoter who managed acts like Jimi Hendrix, Carly Simon, and Barry Manilow. They tied the knot in 1968 but divorced in 1971.
Her second husband was Ted Wass, an actor and director who starred in the sitcom Soap and its spin-off Benson. They got married in 1979 and had two children together: Julian and Matilda. Julian is a film composer and producer who has worked on movies like The Hangover Part II, Horrible Bosses, and Identity Thief. Matilda is an actress who has appeared in TV shows like NCIS: Los Angeles, Criminal Minds, and Bones.
Diagnosis and Death
Janet Margolin was diagnosed with ovarian cancer in the late 1980s. Ovarian cancer is a type of cancer that begins in the ovaries, the female reproductive organs that produce eggs. It is often called the “silent killer” because it usually does not cause any symptoms until it has spread to other parts of the body. Some of the common symptoms of ovarian cancer are bloating, pelvic pain, abdominal swelling, weight loss, difficulty eating, and frequent urination.
Janet underwent chemotherapy and surgery to treat her cancer but it was not enough to stop its progression. She continued to work as an actress until her health deteriorated. Her last film appearance was in Ghostbusters II in 1989, where she played a museum curator who was possessed by an evil spirit. Her last TV roles were as a killer in Murder, She Wrote and as a victim in Columbo: Murder in Malibu in 1990.
She died on December 17, 1993, at her home in Los Angeles. She was cremated and her ashes were placed in an urn garden at Westwood Memorial Park. She was survived by her husband Ted Wass and their two children Julian and Matilda.
Legacy
Janet Margolin left behind a legacy of memorable performances that showcased her range and talent as an actress. She worked with some of the most renowned directors and actors of her time, such as Woody Allen, Marlon Brando, Steve McQueen, Jonathan Demme, Harold Ramis, Dan Aykroyd, Ernie Hudson, Angela Lansbury, Peter Falk, and many others.
She also inspired many people with her courage and grace in facing her terminal illness. She never gave up on her passion for acting despite her physical pain and emotional turmoil. She was admired by her colleagues and loved by her family and friends.
Janet Margolin’s cause of death was ovarian cancer but her life was much more than that. She was a beautiful person who touched many hearts with her artistry and humanity. She will always be remembered as one of Hollywood’s brightest stars who shone too briefly but brilliantly.
