Vera Ellen was one of the most talented and graceful dancers in Hollywood history. She starred in many musicals in the 1940s and 1950s, alongside legends like Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire, and Danny Kaye. She dazzled audiences with her versatility, charm, and beauty. But behind her glamorous image, there was a tragic story of personal losses, health problems, and a premature death. What was the cause of death of Vera Ellen, and what led to her downfall? Here is a brief overview of her life and career.
Early Life and Career
Vera Ellen was born Vera-Ellen Rohe on February 16, 1921, in Norwood, Ohio. She was the daughter of Martin F. Rohe, a piano dealer, and Alma C. Westmeier, both of German descent. She began dancing at age 10 to improve her health, as she suffered from various ailments. She quickly became proficient and won a talent contest at age 13, which launched her professional career.
She moved to New York with her mother and became one of the youngest Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall. She also appeared in several Broadway shows, such as Very Warm for May, Panama Hattie, By Jupiter, and A Connecticut Yankee. She caught the attention of movie producer Samuel Goldwyn, who signed her to a contract in 1943.
Movie Stardom
Vera Ellen made her film debut in 1945 in Wonder Man, opposite Danny Kaye. She received positive reviews for her performance and went on to make more films for Goldwyn and Twentieth Century-Fox. She danced with Gene Kelly in Words and Music and On the Town, with Fred Astaire in Three Little Words and The Belle of New York, with Donald O’Connor in Call Me Madam, and with Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye in White Christmas. She was praised for her skill and versatility in different styles of dancing, such as tap, ballet, acrobatic, and dramatic.
She also had a beautiful face and figure, which she maintained through strict diet and exercise. However, she was insecure about her singing voice and had it dubbed in most of her films. She also suffered from stage fright and anxiety, which made her nervous and shy in public.
Personal Life and Struggles
Vera Ellen married twice in her life. Her first husband was Robert Hightower, a fellow dancer whom she married in 1941. They divorced in 1946 after he cheated on her. Her second husband was Victor Rothschild, an oilman whom she married in 1954. They had a daughter named Victoria Ellen Rothschild, who was born prematurely and died of SIDS at three months old.
The death of her daughter devastated Vera Ellen and caused her to withdraw from the public eye. She also developed anorexia nervosa, a disorder characterized by extreme weight loss due to self-starvation. She became very thin and frail, which affected her appearance and health.
She made only one more film after White Christmas, which was Let’s Be Happy in 1957. She then retired from show business and lived a reclusive life in Los Angeles. She occasionally appeared on television shows like The Perry Como Show and The Dinah Shore Show, but she avoided interviews and publicity.
Death
Vera Ellen died of ovarian cancer at The University of California Los Angeles Medical Center on August 30, 1981. She was 60 years old. She is buried at Glen Haven Memorial Park in Sylmar, Los Angeles.
She left behind a legacy of memorable performances that showcased her talent and grace as a dancer and actress. She also left behind a sad story of a star who faced many hardships and challenges in her life. Her cause of death was not widely known or reported at the time, as she had kept her illness private.
Vera Ellen’s death marked the end of an era of Hollywood musicals that entertained millions of people around the world. She was one of the last surviving stars of that golden age of cinema. She will always be remembered as one of the most beautiful and talented dancers who ever graced the silver screen.
