Lee Kinsolving Cause of Death: The Untimely End of a Promising Actor

Who was Lee Kinsolving?

Lee Kinsolving was an American film, theater and television actor who rose to fame in the late 1950s and early 1960s. He was born on August 30, 1938, in Boston, Massachusetts, as Arthur Lee Kinsolving Jr., the son of an Episcopal minister. He began his acting career on Broadway and then moved to Hollywood, where he appeared in several movies and TV shows. He was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his role as Sammy Golden in the film The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.

What were his achievements?

Kinsolving was a talented and versatile actor who could play both dramatic and comedic roles. He starred alongside Alan Ladd in the war film All the Young Men, and with William Shatner and Patty McCormack in the controversial drama The Explosive Generation¹. He also guest starred in popular TV series such as The Rifleman, Have Gun – Will Travel, The Twilight Zone, Gunsmoke, and Route 66. He was praised for his charisma, sensitivity, and poise on screen.

Why did he quit acting?

Kinsolving’s acting career declined as he grew older and he became frustrated with the lack of challenging and meaningful roles. He also suffered from personal problems, such as alcoholism, depression, and a failed marriage. He married model Lillian B. Crawford in 1969, but they divorced in 1972. He retired from acting in 1966 and pursued other interests, such as sailing, managing art galleries, and owning a restaurant-bar in New York. He also had brief romances with actresses Tuesday Weld and Candice Bergen.

How did he die?

Kinsolving developed a strange respiratory illness that rendered him unconscious without warning. On December 4, 1974, he collapsed and died in his Palm Beach apartment. He was 36 years old. His cause of death was a heart attack due to a sudden respiratory failure. His death shocked and saddened his fans and friends, who remembered him as a gifted and poetic actor who never fulfilled his potential.

Conclusion

Lee Kinsolving was a star who burned out too soon. He had a promising future in Hollywood, but his life took a tragic turn due to his personal and professional difficulties. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a daughter, Terri Nunn, who became a successful singer and actress. He was a victim of his circumstances, but he will always be remembered by his family and his admirers.