Nancy Gates was an American film and television actress who starred in several westerns and sci-fi movies in the 1950s. She also appeared in two Frank Sinatra films, Suddenly and Some Came Running. She retired from acting in 1969 to focus on her family and died in 2019 at the age of 93. But what was the cause of her death and how did she live her life?
Early Life and Career
Nancy Gates was born on February 1, 1926, in Dallas, Texas, to Virgil and Nancy Gates. She grew up in nearby Denton and showed an interest in performing arts from a young age. She had her own radio show on WFAA in Dallas when she was a teenager and also sang in a college band. She graduated from Denton High School and attended the University of Oklahoma for a year before getting married.
She entered the film industry when she was 15, after being signed by RKO Studios. She had her first credited role in The Great Gildersleeve in 1942 and also appeared in an uncredited role in Orson Welles’ The Magnificent Ambersons. She went on to star in mostly B-movies, many of which were westerns or sci-fi, such as Hitler’s Children, Behind the Rising Sun, This Land Is Mine, World Without End, Comanche Station, and The Gunfight at Dodge City. She also had supporting roles in some A-list films, such as The Member of the Wedding, Torch Song, Hell’s Half Acre, No Man’s Woman, The Bottom of the Bottle, Death of a Scoundrel, and Magnificent Roughnecks.
She worked with Frank Sinatra twice, playing his hostage in Suddenly and his secretary in Some Came Running. She also appeared in several television shows, such as Studio 57, The Millionaire, 77 Sunset Strip, Hawaiian Eye, Tales of Wells Fargo, Wagon Train, Perry Mason, Burke’s Law, and Mod Squad.
Personal Life and Death
Nancy Gates married J. William Hayes, a Hollywood lawyer and pilot, in 1948. They met when she was a passenger on one of his flights. They had four children together: Cathleen, Cynthia, Jeff, and Chip. Chip Hayes became a producer and writer for shows like The Nanny and Desperate Housewives.
Nancy Gates left acting in 1969 to devote herself to her family. She lived in Holmby Hills, Los Angeles, until her death. She died on March 24, 2019, at her home. She was 93 years old. The cause of her death was not disclosed by her family or the media. According to Wikipedia, she died of natural causes.
Nancy Gates was remembered by her fans and colleagues as a talented and versatile actress who could play different genres and roles. She was also praised for her beauty and grace. She was honored by Turner Classic Movies with a day featuring her films on November 4, 2019. She is survived by her four children and six grandchildren.
