Suzan Ball was an American actress who rose to fame in the early 1950s. She was a second cousin of the legendary comedienne Lucille Ball, and married to actor Richard Long. She had a promising career ahead of her, but it was cut short by a rare and aggressive form of cancer that claimed her life at the age of 21. This is the tragic story of Suzan Ball’s cause of death and how she fought bravely against her illness.
A Rising Star
Suzan Ball was born on February 3, 1934, in Jamestown, New York. She moved to North Hollywood with her family in 1941, and graduated from North Hollywood High School in 1951. She had a talent for singing and dancing, and performed with the Mel Baker Orchestra from 1948 to 1953. She also had a passion for acting, and landed her first role in Hollywood as a harem girl in Aladdin and His Lamp (1952) at Monogram Studios. She soon caught the attention of Universal-International, who signed her to a contract and gave her bigger roles in films such as The World in His Arms (1952), Untamed Frontier (1952), Yankee Buccaneer (1952), City Beneath the Sea (1953), East of Sumatra (1953), and War Arrow (1953). She was praised for her beauty, charisma, and versatility, and was hailed as one of the most important “New Stars of 1953” by columnist Hedda Hopper. She also had a romantic life that made headlines, as she dated actors Scott Brady and Anthony Quinn, before settling down with Richard Long, whom she married on April 4, 1954.
A Devastating Diagnosis
However, behind the scenes, Suzan Ball was suffering from a serious health problem. In 1953, while filming East of Sumatra, she injured her right leg during a dance number. She ignored the pain and continued working, but it soon became unbearable. She went to see a doctor, who diagnosed her with a rare and aggressive form of cancer called fibrosarcoma, which had caused tumors to grow on her leg. She was advised to have her leg amputated, but she refused, hoping that radiation therapy and surgery would save it. She also kept her condition a secret from the public, and tried to maintain a normal life. She even filmed one more movie, Chief Crazy Horse (1955), in which she played the wife of the Native American leader. However, her condition worsened, and she had no choice but to undergo the amputation on January 12, 1954. She was devastated by the loss of her leg, but she was supported by her husband, who remained loyal and loving to her throughout her ordeal. She also received letters and gifts from her fans, who learned about her illness from the press.
A Courageous Fight
Suzan Ball did not give up on her dreams, despite her disability. She learned to walk with an artificial limb, and resumed her career. She appeared on television shows such as Lux Video Theatre and Climax!, and planned to make a comeback on the big screen. She also embarked on a nightclub tour, where she sang and danced for her audiences. She showed remarkable courage and optimism, and inspired many people with her determination. She even said in an interview, “I’m not going to let this thing lick me. I’m going to live a normal life and be happy.” However, her cancer was not cured, and it spread to her lungs. She collapsed during a rehearsal for a TV show, and was rushed to the hospital. She spent her last days in the City of Hope Hospital, where she received visits from her family, friends, and colleagues. She died on August 5, 1955, at the age of 21.
A Lasting Legacy
Suzan Ball left behind a legacy of courage, talent, and beauty. She was mourned by her husband, who never remarried, and her fans, who admired her for her strength and grace. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California, where her tombstone reads, “Beloved Wife – A Star In Heaven”. She was also remembered by her cousin Lucille Ball, who dedicated an episode of I Love Lucy to her memory. Suzan Ball was a star who shone brightly, but briefly, in Hollywood. She was a victim of a cruel disease, but she was also a fighter who refused to let it define her. She was a woman who lived and loved with passion, and who left an indelible mark on the hearts of those who knew her. She was Suzan Ball, and this was her cause of death.
