Joan Caulfield was a talented and beautiful actress who rose to fame on Broadway and later starred in several movies and TV shows. She was known for her charm, elegance, and sophistication in light comedy and romance genres. But behind her glamorous image, she also faced personal and professional challenges, and ultimately succumbed to cancer at the age of 69. Here is a brief overview of her life and career, and the details of her tragic death.
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Early Life and Career
Joan Caulfield was born as Beatrice Joan Caulfield on June 1, 1922, in West Orange, New Jersey. She was the niece of Genevieve Caulfield, who received the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 1963 for her work with blind children
She attended Miss Beard’s School in Orange, New Jersey, and later Columbia University in New York City. She also pursued a modeling career with the Harry Conover Agency and appeared on the cover of many national magazines, including Life
She made her Broadway debut in 1942 in the musical Beat the Band, but her breakthrough role was as the troublesome teenager Corliss Archer in the hit comedy play Kiss and Tell, directed by George Abbott. She played the part for a year and then left to pursue offers from Hollywood
Hollywood Stardom
She signed a contract with Paramount Pictures, which gave her six months off a year to do stage work. Her first film was Miss Susie Slagle’s (1946), a drama about medical students, co-starring Sonny Tufts and Veronica Lake. She then had a cameo in Duffy’s Tavern (1945), along with most of Paramount’s talent roster
She gained popularity as Bob Hope’s leading lady in Monsieur Beaucaire (1946), a comedy set in the 18th century. She also co-starred with Bing Crosby and Fred Astaire in Blue Skies (1946), a musical extravaganza. She was originally paired with Paul Draper, a dancer, but Crosby insisted that she stay when Draper was replaced by Astaire. The film was a huge box office success
She continued to appear in light-hearted films, such as The Sainted Sisters (1948), The Lady Says No (1952), and The Petty Girl (1950). She also reprised her role as Corliss Archer in two film adaptations of Kiss and Tell: Dear Ruth (1947) and Dear Wife (1950), opposite William Holden. She was among Paramount’s top stars, radiating delicate femininity and demure beauty
Personal and Professional Struggles
However, her career also faced some setbacks and difficulties. She was unhappy with the quality of some of the scripts she was given, and felt that she was typecast as a sweet and innocent girl. She wanted to do more challenging and dramatic roles, but the studio did not support her ambitions. She also had conflicts with some of her co-stars and directors, such as Bing Crosby, who allegedly made unwanted advances towards her
She married Frank Ross, a producer and director, in 1950. He was previously married to Jean Arthur, and he met Caulfield while working on her film The Lady Says No. He also produced and directed her TV series My Favorite Husband (1953-55) and Sally (1957-58). However, their marriage was troubled by his infidelity and gambling debts. They divorced in 1960
She married Robert Peterson, a dentist, in 1960. They had two sons, John and Caulfield. They also divorced in 1969
She continued to work in TV and film, but with less frequency and prominence. She appeared in shows such as The Unsuspected (1947), The Virginian (1962), My Three Sons (1963), and Murder, She Wrote (1985). She also did some stage work, such as The Marriage-Go-Round (1959) and Cactus Flower (1965). She also wrote a novel, The Best is Yet, in 1975
Joan Caulfield Cause of Death
She was diagnosed with cancer in the late 1980s, and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. She kept her illness private and continued to work until her condition worsened. She was admitted to Cedars Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles on June 3, 1991, with advanced cancer. She died on June 18, 1991, at 5 p.m. She was 69 years old
She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean. She was survived by her two sons, her sister Betty Caulfield, and her aunt Genevieve Caulfield
She was remembered as a talented and graceful actress, who brought joy and laughter to millions of fans. She was also a generous and compassionate person, who supported various charities and causes. She was a devoted mother and a loyal friend. She was a star who shone brightly, but left too soon
