Rita Johnson was a talented and versatile actress who appeared in many films in the 1930s and 1940s. She played a variety of roles, from murderers to wives, from comedies to dramas. She had a promising career ahead of her, but it was cut short by a mysterious and devastating accident that left her with brain damage and ended her life prematurely. What was the cause of death of Rita Johnson, and what happened to her on that fateful day in 1948?
A Rising Star
Rita Johnson was born on August 13, 1913, in Worcester, Massachusetts, to a single mother, Lillian Johnson. She worked as a waitress and a hot dog seller before pursuing her passion for acting. She attended the New England Conservatory of Music and started her career on Broadway in 1935. She soon caught the attention of Hollywood and moved to California in 1937.
She signed a contract with MGM and made her film debut in London by Night (1937). She quickly rose to fame and starred in many films, such as Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941), Edison, the Man (1940), and They Won’t Believe Me (1947). She worked with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Spencer Tracy, Robert Young, and Cary Grant. She was praised for her beauty, charm, and versatility as an actress.
A Mysterious Accident
On September 6, 1948, Rita Johnson’s life changed forever. She was found unconscious in her apartment by her maid, who called for help. She was rushed to the hospital with a severe head injury that required brain surgery. The cause of her injury was never fully explained. The official story was that a large, industrial-grade hair dryer had fallen on her head while she was drying her hair. However, there were rumors that she had been beaten by a gangster boyfriend, who had also abused her in the past. The police investigated the incident, but found no evidence of foul play.
The accident left Johnson with permanent brain damage that affected her mobility and memory. She was in a coma for two weeks and took a year to recover. She tried to resume her acting career, but found it difficult to perform as before. She appeared in only a few films after the accident, such as The Big Clock (1948), The Second Face (1950), and The First Legion (1951). Her last film was The Caine Mutiny (1954), in which she had a small role.
A Tragic End
Rita Johnson’s health deteriorated over the years due to her brain injury and alcoholism. She suffered from liver disease and alcohol-induced encephalitis. She died of a brain hemorrhage on October 31, 1965, at the age of 52. She was buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City, California.
Rita Johnson’s cause of death was a tragic result of a mysterious accident that robbed her of her talent and potential. She was a star who shone brightly for a brief period, but faded away too soon.
