Richard Sinatra was an American actor who appeared in several movies and TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s. He was also the cousin of the legendary singer and actor Frank Sinatra. Richard Sinatra died of cancer on September 12, 1979, in Los Angeles, California, at the age of 43. Here is a brief overview of his life and career, as well as the details of his death and the family feud that followed.
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Early Life and Family Background
Richard Sinatra was born on October 21, 1935, in New York, NY. He was the son of Raymond Dominic Sinatra, an orchestra leader who was born in Agrigento, Sicily, and Prima May Cordani, who was born in Massachusetts. Raymond and Prima were married in 1928 and had two sons: Richard and Robert. Raymond was the brother of Anthony Martin Sinatra, the father of Frank Sinatra. This made Richard and Frank first cousins.
Richard grew up in a musical family and was exposed to the entertainment industry from a young age. He also developed an interest in acting and pursued a career in Hollywood.
Acting Career and Roles
Richard Sinatra made his film debut in 1959, playing the role of Beast in the horror movie Haunted Cave. He also appeared in other low-budget films, such as Ski Troop Attack (1960), where he played Private Herman Grammelsbacher, and The Little Shop of Horrors (1960), where he had a minor role as a dental patient.
Richard Sinatra also had several guest appearances on popular TV shows, such as The Twilight Zone, The Untouchables, Perry Mason, and Hogan’s Heroes. He was best known for his recurring role as the third sergeant in the comedy series Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C., where he worked with Jim Nabors and Frank Sutton.
Richard Sinatra also had a brief stint as a singer, releasing a single called “I’m a Fool to Want You” in 1961. The song was co-written by his cousin Frank Sinatra, who had recorded it in 1951.
Personal Life and Marriage
Richard Sinatra married Linda Marsh, a successful actress who had starred in films such as America, America (1963) and The Group (1966). They tied the knot on April 3, 1966, at the Beverly Hills Hotel, in a ceremony officiated by Judge Andrew W. Weiss. Linda was four years younger than Richard and had previously been married to actor Harry Guardino.
Richard and Linda’s marriage was short-lived, however, as they divorced in July 1970, after four years of marriage. The reason for their split was not publicly disclosed, but some sources speculated that it was due to Richard’s alcoholism and jealousy of Linda’s career.
Death and Aftermath
Richard Sinatra died of cancer on September 12, 1979, in Los Angeles, California. He was 43 years old. He was buried at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Hollywood Hills, next to his father Raymond, who had died in 1980.
Richard Sinatra’s death sparked a bitter feud between his widow Linda and his cousin Frank Sinatra’s wife Barbara. According to Richard’s sister-in-law Nancy Sinatra, Barbara had prevented Richard’s children from visiting him in the hospital and had not informed them of his death until after he had passed away. Nancy also claimed that Barbara had tried to exclude Richard’s children from his funeral and had taken his belongings without their consent.
Nancy Sinatra wrote a scathing letter to Barbara, accusing her of being a “gold digger” and a “user” who had exploited Frank Sinatra and his family. She also called her a “monster” and a “witch” who had caused Frank Sinatra’s health to deteriorate. Nancy Sinatra later published the letter in her memoir, Frank Sinatra: An American Legend.
Barbara Sinatra denied the allegations and defended herself in her own memoir, Lady Blue Eyes: My Life with Frank. She claimed that she had tried to help Richard Sinatra and his children, but they had rejected her offers. She also said that she had loved Frank Sinatra and had been a loyal and devoted wife to him until his death in 1998.
Richard Sinatra’s death and the ensuing family drama were a sad end to the life of a talented actor who had shared the screen and the bloodline with one of the most famous entertainers of all time.
