Tom Ewell was a popular American actor who starred in many films, stage plays and television shows in the mid-20th century. He is best remembered for his role as Richard Sherman, the married man who fantasizes about having an affair with his neighbor, played by Marilyn Monroe, in the 1955 comedy film The Seven Year Itch. He won a Tony Award and a Golden Globe Award for his performance in the film and the Broadway play that preceded it. But how did Tom Ewell die and what were the circumstances surrounding his death?
Early Life and Career
Tom Ewell was born Samuel Yewell Tompkins on April 29, 1909, in Owensboro, Kentucky. His family expected him to follow in their footsteps as lawyers or whiskey and tobacco dealers, but he decided to pursue acting instead. He began acting in summer stock in 1928 with Don Ameche before moving to New York City in 1931. He enrolled in the Actors Studio and made his Broadway debut in 1934 in the play They Shall Not Die. He also made his film debut in 1940 in the comedy They Knew What They Wanted, but he played mostly minor roles in the early years of his career.
His acting career was interrupted by World War II, when he served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945. He was part of the US Navy Armed Guard, a unit that protected merchant ships from enemy attacks. After the war, he returned to Broadway and starred in several successful plays, such as Apple of His Eye, John Loves Mary and Small Wonder. He also attracted attention with his role as Judy Holliday’s cheating husband in the 1949 film Adam’s Rib, starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn.
The Seven Year Itch and Beyond
Tom Ewell’s breakthrough role came in 1952, when he joined the Broadway production of The Seven Year Itch as the protagonist Richard Sherman. The play, written by George Axelrod, was a comedy about a middle-aged married man who is tempted to cheat on his wife with a young and attractive woman who lives upstairs. The play was a huge hit and ran for more than 950 performances. Ewell won the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his portrayal of Sherman.
In 1955, Ewell reprised his role in the film adaptation of The Seven Year Itch, directed by Billy Wilder and co-starring Marilyn Monroe as “The Girl”. The film was also a success and became one of the most iconic comedies of the 1950s. It featured the famous scene where Monroe’s white dress is blown up by a subway grate, revealing her legs. Ewell won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy for his performance in the film.
Ewell continued to appear in films, mostly in light comedies, such as The Lieutenant Wore Skirts, The Girl Can’t Help It, The Tunnel of Love and State Fair. He also starred in his own television sitcom, The Tom Ewell Show, from 1960 to 1961, playing a father of three daughters. He later had a recurring role as Robert Blake’s friend in the police drama Baretta from 1975 to 1978. He also appeared in some dramatic films, such as Tender is the Night, The Great Gatsby and The Last Tycoon.
Illness and Death
Tom Ewell’s health declined sharply in his final years. He suffered from a number of illnesses, including diabetes, heart problems and pneumonia. He retired from acting in 1986, after appearing in his last film, Easy Money. He spent his last years at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital, a retirement home and medical facility for people in the entertainment industry.
Tom Ewell died on September 12, 1994, at the age of 85, of undisclosed causes. His wife, Marjorie, said he had suffered a long series of illnesses. He was survived by his wife and his son, Taylor. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.
Tom Ewell was a talented and versatile actor who entertained millions of people with his comedic and dramatic skills. He left behind a legacy of memorable performances, especially in The Seven Year Itch, where he captured the essence of a man torn between loyalty and lust. He was a star of the stage and screen, and a beloved figure in the Hollywood community. He will always be remembered as one of the greats of American comedy.
