Ann Harding Cause of Death: How the Golden Age Actress Passed Away

Ann Harding was one of the most popular and acclaimed actresses of the early sound era, known for her elegant and refined performances in films such as Holiday, The Animal Kingdom, and Peter Ibbetson. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress in 1931 and had a long and successful career on stage, screen, radio, and television. But how did she die and what was her cause of death?

Early Life and Career

Ann Harding was born Dorothy Walton Gatley on August 7, 1902, in San Antonio, Texas. She was the daughter of a prominent army officer, George G. Gatley, who later became a major general during World War I. She spent her childhood traveling with her family to various military posts and attended East Orange High School in New Jersey. She briefly studied at Bryn Mawr College before moving to New York to pursue an acting career.

She adopted the stage name Ann Harding to avoid her father’s disapproval of her profession. She started as a script reader for the Famous Players-Lasky film company and soon landed roles on Broadway and in small theaters. She made her film debut in Paris Bound in 1929 and quickly rose to stardom with her sophisticated and graceful screen presence. She starred in many successful films in the 1930s, such as Devotion, The Girl of the Golden West, Condemned, and East Lynne. She also appeared in British films and plays, such as Love from a Stranger and Candida.

Personal Life and Relationships

Ann Harding was married twice in her life. Her first husband was actor Harry Bannister, whom she met while working on Broadway. They married in 1926 and had a daughter, Jane Otto, in 1928. They divorced in 1932 after Harding accused Bannister of infidelity and cruelty.

Her second husband was orchestra conductor Werner Janssen, whom she married in 1937. They lived in a lavish mansion in Beverly Hills and were known for their lavish parties and social life. They divorced in 1962 after Janssen admitted to having an affair with a younger woman.

Harding was also romantically linked to several other men, such as playwright Philip Barry, actor Leslie Howard, director John Cromwell, and producer Walter Wanger.

Later Years and Death

After her marriage to Janssen, Harding’s film career slowed down considerably. She appeared in only a few films in the 1940s and 1950s, such as Eyes in the Night, It Happened on Fifth Avenue, The Magnificent Yankee, and The Man in the Gray Flannel Suit. She also worked on radio and television shows, such as Armstrong Circle Theater, Ben Casey, and The Defenders.

She retired from acting in 1965 and moved to Sherman Oaks, California. She suffered from a long illness that was never publicly disclosed. According to UPI Archives, she died on September 1, 1981, at a hospital in the San Fernando Valley at the age of 79. She was buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park – Hollywood Hills. She is survived by her daughter, four grandchildren, and one great-grandchild.

Ann Harding Cause of Death: How the Golden Age Actress Passed Away is an article that pays tribute to one of the most talented and beautiful actresses of Hollywood’s golden age. She left behind a legacy of memorable performances and a devoted fan base that still admires her work today.

Doms Desk

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