Una Merkel was a popular character actress in the 1930s, known for her witty and charming roles in films such as 42nd Street, Destry Rides Again, and The Parent Trap. She was nominated for an Oscar and won a Tony Award for her stage work. But behind her cheerful persona, Merkel had a troubled and tragic life that ended in 1986. What was Una Merkel’s cause of death and what led her to it?
Early Life and Career
Una Merkel was born on December 10, 1903, in Covington, Kentucky, to Bessie and Arno Merkel. Her father was a traveling salesman who moved the family around the South until they settled in Philadelphia and then New York. Merkel attended the Alviene School of Dramatic Art and began her acting career in silent films. She resembled Lillian Gish, a famous actress of the time, and was cast as her sister in a film that was never completed.
Merkel switched to the theater and appeared in several Broadway plays, most notably Coquette, starring her idol Helen Hayes. She returned to Hollywood in 1930, when sound films were becoming popular, and was cast as Ann Rutledge in D.W. Griffith’s Abraham Lincoln. She signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and became a sought-after supporting actress, playing the best friend or sidekick of the leading lady. She worked with stars such as Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Marlene Dietrich, and Jack Benny. She was known for her Kewpie-doll looks, strong Southern accent, and humorous line delivery.
Personal Struggles and Suicide Attempts
Merkel married Ronald Burla, a cinematographer, in 1932, but the marriage was unhappy and ended in divorce in 1947. Merkel had no children and was devoted to her mother, who lived with her in Los Angeles. In 1945, her mother committed suicide by turning on the gas in their home, nearly killing Merkel as well. Merkel was devastated by the loss and suffered from depression and insomnia.
In 1952, Merkel attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills. She was found unconscious by a nurse and remained in a coma for a day before recovering. She later said that she was lonely and felt that her career was over. She also blamed herself for her mother’s death and said that she wanted to join her.
Later Career and Death
Merkel resumed her acting career in the 1950s, mainly on the stage and television. She won critical acclaim and a Tony Award for her performance in The Ponder Heart, a comedy by Eudora Welty. She also received an Oscar nomination for her role as the alcoholic mother of Geraldine Page in Summer and Smoke, based on a play by Tennessee Williams. She appeared in several Disney films, such as The Parent Trap and The Ugly Dachshund, playing maternal or grandmotherly characters.
Merkel retired from acting in 1968 and lived a quiet life in Los Angeles. She died on January 2, 1986, at the age of 82, from natural causes. She was buried next to her mother in Highland Cemetery, Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a loyal fan base that admired her talent and personality.
