Allene Roberts was an American actress who rose to fame in the late 1940s and early 1950s, starring opposite some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Humphrey Bogart, Edward G. Robinson, and William Holden. She appeared in twelve movies and several TV shows before retiring from show business in 1957. She died on May 9, 2019, in Huntsville, Alabama, at the age of 90. What was the cause of her death and what was her life like?
Early Life and Career
Allene Roberts was born on September 1, 1928, in Fairfield, Alabama, to Frank and Emma Roberts. Her father was an electrician who died of a heart attack when she was young. Her mother was a housewife who encouraged her daughter’s interest in acting. In 1941, Roberts won the “America’s Most Charming Child” contest sponsored by the New York Daily Mirror, receiving $1,000 and a screen test with Warner Bros. studio. However, the screen test did not lead to any roles, and Roberts and her mother stayed in California, hoping for a break.
Roberts got her first big break in 1947, when she was cast as the female lead in The Red House, a thriller starring Rory Calhoun, Julie London, and Edward G. Robinson. The film was a sleeper hit and received positive reviews from critics. Roberts impressed Robinson with her performance, and he recommended her to director Nicholas Ray, who cast her as the love interest of Humphrey Bogart in Knock on Any Door, a film noir about a juvenile delinquent on trial for murder. The film was another success and launched Roberts’ career as a leading lady.
Roberts went on to appear in other films, such as Bomba on Panther Island, a jungle adventure with Johnny Sheffield; Union Station, a crime drama with William Holden; A Wonderful Life, a musical comedy with Fred MacMurray; Santa Fe, a western with Randolph Scott; The Hoodlum, a gangster film with Lawrence Tierney; and Thunderbirds, a war film with John Derek. She also transitioned to television and guest-starred in shows like Four Star Playhouse, Adventures of Superman, and Dragnet.
Retirement and Personal Life
Roberts decided to retire from acting in 1957, after marrying Robert Knudsen, a photographer for the White House. She moved to Washington, D.C., and became a mother of four children: John, Leslie, Julie, and Laurie. She devoted herself to her family and her faith, becoming a devout Christian. She rarely spoke about her Hollywood days, and preferred to stay out of the limelight. She said in an interview, “I never really liked acting. I just did it because I didn’t know what else to do.”
Roberts was widowed in 1989, when her husband died of cancer. She moved to Huntsville, Alabama, to be closer to her daughter Laurie and her grandchildren. She lived a quiet and peaceful life, enjoying gardening, reading, and painting. She also kept in touch with some of her former co-stars, such as Rory Calhoun and Tim Holt. She occasionally gave interviews to film historians and fans, and attended some film festivals and conventions.
Allene Roberts Cause of Death
On May 9, 2019, Roberts passed away in Huntsville, Alabama, at the age of 90. According to her daughter Laurie, the cause of her death was natural causes. She said, “She was very healthy and active until the last few months. She just got tired and went to sleep.” She also said that her mother was happy and content with her life, and that she was proud of her children and grandchildren. She added, “She was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was very sweet and kind and generous. She loved the Lord and she loved her family.”
Roberts was survived by her four children, seven grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. She was buried next to her husband at Arlington National Cemetery. She was remembered by her fans and friends as a beautiful and talented actress, who left a lasting impression on the screen and in their hearts.
According to Deadline, Roberts was one of the last surviving stars of the golden age of Hollywood, and one of the few who worked with both Humphrey Bogart and Edward G. Robinson. According to Wikipedia, Roberts was also one of the few actresses who appeared in both film noir and jungle adventure genres. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Roberts was a charming and graceful presence, who brought warmth and innocence to her roles.
