Joanne Dru was a popular American film and television actress who starred in several classic westerns with John Wayne, such as Red River, She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, and Wagon Master. She also appeared in other genres, such as the political drama All the King’s Men, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 1949. She had a long and varied career that spanned from the 1940s to the 1980s, but her life was cut short by a respiratory ailment that developed from lymphedema. In this article, we will explore the details of Joanne Dru’s cause of death and how it affected her family and fans.
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What is Lymphedema?
Lymphedema is a condition that causes swelling in the arms or legs due to a blockage in the lymphatic system, which is part of the immune system that helps fight infections and remove excess fluid from the body. According to Mayo Clinic, lymphedema can be caused by various factors, such as surgery, radiation therapy, infection, injury, or inherited disorders. Lymphedema can lead to complications such as infections, skin problems, and lymphangiosarcoma, a rare form of soft tissue cancer.
How Did Joanne Dru Develop Lymphedema?
According to her brother, Peter Marshall, Joanne Dru developed lymphedema as a result of chemotherapy she had received over her lifetime. Marshall did not specify what type of cancer or cancers his sister had battled, but he said that she had undergone several treatments that affected her lymph nodes. He also said that she had been suffering from the condition for about 10 years before her death.
How Did Lymphedema Cause Joanne Dru’s Death?
Lymphedema can impair the normal functioning of the respiratory system by causing fluid buildup in the lungs or chest wall. This can lead to breathing difficulties, coughing, wheezing, and reduced oxygen levels in the blood. According to Marshall, Joanne Dru died of a respiratory ailment that developed from lymphedema at her home in Beverly Hills on September 10, 1996. She was 74 years old.
How Did Joanne Dru’s Death Affect Her Family and Fans?
Joanne Dru was survived by her three children from her first marriage to singer and actor Dick Haymes, as well as her brother Peter Marshall, who is best known as the original host of the game show Hollywood Squares. She was also preceded in death by her three other husbands: actor John Ireland businessman George Pierose, and theme park developer C.V. Wood. Her fans mourned the loss of one of the most versatile and charming actresses of Hollywood’s golden era, who left behind a legacy of memorable performances in films and television shows. She was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contribution to the television industry.
