george reeves' death house george reeves' death house

But there were a few details that didnt quite make sense. The suicidal can become very adept at hiding their inner turmoil from their loved ones. Rather than being seen as the hunky superhero who had proven himself as a leading man, Reeves was worried that the role would forever make him the kids beloved Superman in the eyes of the world and of casting directors. Worst of all occurred on April 8th, when Reeves lost control of his Jaguar and careered into a cement pillar near his home in Benedict Canyon. She had prepared the meal for Reeves and guest Robert Condon, a writer who was there to do an article on Reeves and his upcoming bout with Archie Moore. George Bessolo Reeves lived in a modest house in Benedict Canyon in Los Angeles, California up until the time of his death on June 15, 1959. SUPERMAN MURDER SOLVED! He looked forward to working with So Proudly We Hail! Those guests were neighbour Carol Van Ronkel, her lover Robert Condon, and another neighbour, William Bliss. Or perhaps Toni took matters into her own hands and simply had her husband cover it up. The mystery surrounding the death of George Reeves, the original Man of Steel. George Reeves was born George Keefer Brewer in Iowa in 1914five months into his parents' marriage. Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento haciendo clic en el enlace Panel de control de privacidad de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. Following an investigation, officers of the Los Angeles Police Department ruled the death a suicide, likely prompted by Reeves' alleged depression over the fact that he was experiencing financial . I was depressed, and I accepted instantly that he had committed suicide, Larson told Unsolved Mysteries in 1995. Due to their advanced state of inebriation the party guests were not entirely coherent, but they all seemed to agree on the suicide story. Later in life, she become a somewhat tragic figure, bloated and consumed by alcoholism, Leonore would give many different accounts of the events of that night, often contradicting herself and denying things she was commonly reported to have said and done. Except for the second season, the Superman schedule was brief (13 shows shot two per week, a total of seven weeks out of a year), but all had a "30-day clause", which meant that the producers could demand their exclusive services for a new season on four weeks' notice. Henderson, Jan Alan, Speeding Bullet, M. Bifulco, 1999; Helen Roberta Lescher Brewer Bessolo (18921964) - Born in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, US. He was also engaged to Leonore Lemmon, a New York showgirl. Its Superman! The iconic intro blazed into American households on Sept. 19, 1952. This part directly led to his being contracted to Warner Brothers. Two additional bullets were discovered embedded in the bedroom floor. September6, 1892 was the daughter of George Christian Lescher and Eliza Jane McKenzie, she died in a Pasadena hospital on June 18, 1964. Para obtener ms informacin sobre cmo utilizamos tus datos personales, consulta nuestra Poltica de privacidad y Poltica de cookies. Reeves had also hoped to direct a low-budget science-fiction film written by a friend from his Pasadena Playhouse days, and he had discussed the project with his first Lois Lane, Phyllis Coates, the previous year. This is however not the case as it it the guest bedroom that faces the street. He performed on live television anthology programs, as well as on radio. The Afterlife of George Reeves Actor George Reeves died at 1:59 am on June 16, 1959. Larson had suffered a similar career downturn to Reeves after series was cancelled, and like his Superman co-star had struggled to break free of the typecasting associated with such an iconic role. On the night of June 16, 1959, George Reeves was found dead in his bedroom from a gunshot wound to the head in his Benedict Canyon home, while his fiance Lemmon was downstairs hosting a party. Reeves was extremely intoxicated when he died, and also pumped full of painkillers to treat the injuries he received in his recent car accident. Another location that has long been woven into the fabric of Hollywood lore is George Reeves former Benedict Canyon bungalow, where in the early morning hours of June 16th, 1958 the Adventures of Superman star was found dead from a single gunshot wound to the head. Reeves' friend Rory Calhoun told a reporter "No one in Hollywood believed the suicide story." [13] The Bessolo marriage lasted 15 years, ending in divorce, with the couple separating while Reeves was away visiting relatives. Climbing Back Up Almost immediately after the case was closed, questions about the truth began to arise. All was not well behind the scenes in Metropolis. This theory goes that Lemmon was drunk and unhappy that night and shot her soon-to-be-husband. When his mother moved to California to be with her sister, it was said Reeves never saw his father again. It was also widely believed that Toni, to whom Reeves bequeathed his entire estate, may have shot him in a jealous rage after hearing news of his engagement, or that her husband, E.J. He was 45 years old. Reeves would later recall the impact Sandrich's death had on his career. George Reeves was dead. The first photo above looks into the living room from the backyard. They married on September 22, 1940 in San Marino, California, at the Church of Our Savior. He got angry at them for being very loud. If you are lucky enough, the homeowners may allow you to tour the home's grounds and possibly the interior as well. On June 16, 1959, actress Phyllis Coates was woken up around 4:30 a.m. by a very strange phone call. Reportedly, the police had not been called until at least a half an hour after his death. Reeves mother hired a high-powered lawyer to get the case reopened, but he quickly dropped his new client for reasons unknown. George Reeves from "Superman" had a mysterious death that saw him die from a single gunshot wound to the head. Faster than a speeding bullet! Perhaps fueled by a disbelief that the Man of Steel could ever take his own life, speculation and theories have abounded for more than 50 years that Lemmon, Mannix, her husband or even a hitman were responsible for the death of Superman. George Bessolo Reeves lived in a modest house in Benedict Canyon in Los Angeles, California up until the time of his death on June 15, 1959. So when George Reeves spurned his long term mistress for a younger model, she did not take it lying down. Twentieth Century-Fox loaned him to producer Alexander Korda to co-star with Merle Oberon in Lydia,[17] a box-office failure, after which he freelanced, looking to find work in westerns. Army. Had she even pulled the trigger herself? In 1957, the producers considered a theatrical film Superman and the Secret Planet. (The punchline: Ricardo, do you mean to say that youve been married to her for 15 years? On June 16, 1959, Reeves was found dead in his bedroom from a gunshot wound to the head. All too often it is those closest to someone who takes their own life who can least understand it. Just over a year after the war started, Reeves was called up. Other evidence that casts doubt on this scenario is the lack of burn marks on Reeves back. Mannixs wife Toni Lanier, whom the actor had broken up with shorty before his death. Reeves knew the show could potentially be popular, but it was almost because of that that he was reticent to take it on. [26] He was reportedly making $5,000 (about $50,000 in today's dollars) per week, but only while the show was in production (about eight weeks each year). Was his role to distract the house guests and facilitate the entry of a hitman to do away with Reeves? She also hired private investigators to investigate his death. Is there any truth in the persistent rumours that Reeves was murdered? The roles just werent coming his way. Many felt that Reeves was tired of being known as Superman, and that he killed himself out of anguish. He Grew Up Thinking He Was Italian. When George Reeves died in 1959, the death was quickly considered to be one that was self-inflicted. Reeves, however, earned additional income from personal appearances. '"[29], Reeves, Noel Neill, Natividad Vaco, Gene LeBell, and a trio of musicians toured with a public-appearance show from 1957 onward. After breaking up with his wife, Reeves had engaged in a three-year affair with actress Toni Mannix, who was married to a notorious fixer for MGM Studios. No one is entirely certain who was even at the house that night. Around one in the morning they were joined by two of the neighbors, at which point Reeves, who had already been in bed, stomped downstairs to yell at his guests. From 1952 to 1958 he starred in 104 episodes, but by the late 50s it had declined in popularity and it was put into hiatus after its sixth season. This includes accusations of murder directed at his fiance and ex-girlfriend. 1959: Los Angeles police arrive at the home of 45-year-old actor George Reeves, famous for his role as TV's Superman, and find him naked and dead of a gunshot wound to the head. [17] His friend Teddi Sherman introduced him to her father, producer Harry Sherman, who asked Reeves to do a screen test with Teddi for the Hopalong Cassidy films. And did that scandal involve one of the most powerful men in the movie business, Toni Maddoxs husband Eddie? The first half of the show was a Superman sketch in which Reeves and Neill performed with LeBell as a villain called "Mr. Kryptonite" who captured Lois Lane. His dad left the family shortly after and his mother moved with her infant son to California. A classically trained actor who already had some impressive credits to his name, including the 1939 classic Gone With the Wind, Reeves was reluctant to take on the role because in televisions early days, it was considered to be a rather undignified medium that was far inferior to film. She also kept his shaving utensils and lotions, and even built an altar in the house with a crucifix, candles and an 11-by-14 photograph of Reeves. Death Of George Reeves Source: Biography. Some even say George Reeves appears at the foot of the bed every now and then, dressed as Superman. According to the statements given to the police (statements that were no doubt slurred), Reeves came down to ask them to be quiet, they convinced him to stay for a drink, and then he stomped his way back upstairs. In 1952, the struggling ABC Network purchased the show for national broadcast, which gave him greater visibility. It seems the dark secret haunted her for the rest of her life. He was lucky to escape with head injuries that required him to take powerful painkillers right up until the night he died. Hollywood was recovering from the war, but slowly, and Reeves wasnt the only actor trying to make up for lost time with renewed dedication to dreams that were still very much alive but suddenly even further out of reach. Reeves reportedly never saw his father again. At around 1.20am, a bad tempered Reeves had admonished the trio for their noise, before returning upstairs. According to legend, the house at 1579 Benedict Canyon Drive in Los Angeles where actor George Reeves died of a gunshot wound to the head early in the morning of June 16, 1959 is haunted. Honorary pallbearers included Alan Ladd and Gig Young. Forty-five minutes later, the police were called. Reeves was transferred to the Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit, where he made training films. However, Reeves mother, Helen Bessolo, was convinced that her son had been murdered. Leonore Lemmon was, by all accounts, a bit of a hell-raiser. They decided that he had not committed suicide. ", Death of Superman may not have been a suicide, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=George_Reeves&oldid=1139854102, Credited erroneously onscreen as playing Brent Tarleton (see above), This page was last edited on 17 February 2023, at 06:25. Newspapers and wire-service reports quoted LAPD Sergeant V.A. Reeves was born five months into their marriage[9] and the couple separated soon after Reeves's birth. The ballistics looked all wrong too. The house was bought in the early 1950's for $12,000. According to Condon, Lemmon was in an combative mood that night, and had made somewhat of a scene in the restaurant. The Mysterious Death of Superman. Reeves head and hands showed no signs of gunshot residue or powder burns. Reeves and Toni Mannix split in 1958 and Reeves announced his engagement to society playgirl Leonore Lemmon. Had the usually diligent actor neglected to maintain his prized Jaguar properly or was this, as some have suspected, a murder attempt by Toni Mannix? George Reeves was depressed and whilst entertaining guests at his home he he inexplicably left the room, placed a pistol to his right temple and pulled the trigger. Sprawled naked on his bed, Reeves had been shot in the head after a late night party at his house. At approximately 1:20 AM, Reeves excused himself, and went upstairs to bed. While the authorities officially declared Reeves' death to be a suicide, not everyone was willing to accept that conclusion. Great article tho. George Reeves, 45, TV's indestructible "Man of Steel," Superman, was dead by his own hand and the flowing cloak would flow no more. Whilst highly speculative, some corroboration to this comes from Reeves own Lois Lane, actress Phyllis Coates. Both would later commit suicide . Hard drinking and hard partying, she gave as good as she got, and had the dubious distinction of been the first woman to be thrown out of New Yorks famous Stork club for fist fighting. Hes going upstairs to shoot himself, she explained to the other guests, who then heard a sound from upstairs. While studying acting at the Pasadena Playhouse, Reeves met his future wife, Ellanora Needles. Learn about George Reeves death and the true story behind the Hollywoodland movie starring Ben Affleck as TV's Superman. [17] He was drafted in early 1943. Reeves was dressed in one of his characters Clark Kent suits for the funeral, which took place two weeks later, on June 30th, 1959. He was getting work as a director, and he had agreed to do another season of Superman, in which he would also direct quite a few episodes of. At this time, Reeves and his mother moved from Iowa to Ashland, Kentucky, to stay with relatives for a time[10] and then to her home of Galesburg, Illinois.[11]. It is sometimes easy to get caught up in the mystery of George Reeves demise, the different theories and suspects. Reeves also enjoyed playing with an unloaded gun. However, friends and relatives think Reeves career troubles were exaggerated. He died instantly and fell backwards, his feet still hungover the bed and his back on the mattress. Lemmon and writer Robert Condon, who was staying at the house, were more than happy to entertain the group, but Reeves was already in bed and was not pleased by the ruckus downstairs. Like so many men of his generation, the war derailed his life plans. Last edited on 17 February 2023, at 06:25, Look, Up in the Sky: The Amazing Story of Superman, Learn how and when to remove this template message, "The Death of George Reeves The Original Superman", "The Life and Tragic Death of 'Superman' Star George Reeves Plus the Actor in his Own Words", "7 super things you might not know about George Reeves", "11 Homes That Are Haunted by Dead Celebrities", "Was Superman star George Reeves a suicide or murder victim?