April Kent was a promising actress who appeared in several films and TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s. She was best known for her roles in The Incredible Shrinking Man (1957), Tammy and the Bachelor (1957) and Rock, Pretty Baby! (1956). She was also the daughter of Broadway legend June Havoc and the niece of burlesque icon Gypsy Rose Lee. However, her life was cut short by a heart attack at the age of 63 in 1998. What was the cause of her death and what happened to her career? Here is a brief overview of her life and legacy.
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Early Life and Family Background
April Kent was born on April 2, 1935 in New York City, New York, USA as April Rose Hyde. She was the only child of June Havoc and Bobby Reed, who were both actors and dancers. Her mother was famous for her role as Baby June in the musical Gypsy, which was based on the memoirs of her sister, Gypsy Rose Lee. Her father was a vaudeville performer who died when she was young.
April Kent grew up in a showbiz family and was exposed to the glamour and drama of Hollywood from an early age. She was close to her aunt Gypsy, who often visited her and gave her gifts. She also had a cousin, Erik Lee Preminger, who was the son of Gypsy and film director Otto Preminger.
Acting Career and Achievements
April Kent started her acting career as a child, appearing in several radio shows and stage productions. She made her film debut in 1956 with Rock, Pretty Baby!, a musical comedy about teenage rock and roll fans. She played the role of Alice, one of the friends of the main character, Jimmy Daley (played by John Saxon).
She then starred in two more films in 1957: The Incredible Shrinking Man and Tammy and the Bachelor. The former was a science fiction classic about a man who gradually shrinks after being exposed to radiation. She played Louise Carey, the wife of the shrinking man (played by Grant Williams). The latter was a romantic comedy about a country girl who falls in love with a wealthy pilot. She played Barbara Bissel, the sister of the pilot (played by Leslie Nielsen).
She also appeared in several TV shows, such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Perry Mason, The Twilight Zone, The Fugitive and The Virginian. She mostly played supporting or guest roles, often portraying young and innocent women who were involved in some mystery or danger.
Personal Life and Death
April Kent married twice in her life. Her first husband was William Spier, a radio producer and director who was also her stepfather. They married in 1958 when she was 23 and he was 54. They divorced in 1962.
Her second husband was Jean-Pierre Cassel, a French actor and dancer who was known for his collaborations with director Luis Buñuel. They married in 1966 when she was 31 and he was 34. They had two children: Vincent Cassel, who is also an actor, and Cécile Cassel, who is an actress and singer.
April Kent moved to France with her second husband and continued to act occasionally in French films and TV shows. However, she gradually faded from the spotlight and became more reclusive. She suffered from depression and alcoholism, which affected her health and relationships.
She died on December 28, 1998 in Montreuil, Seine-Saint-Denis, France from a heart attack. She was 63 years old. She was buried at Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris.
Legacy and Influence
April Kent was a talented actress who had a promising career in Hollywood but could not cope with the pressures and challenges of fame. She left behind a small but memorable body of work that showcased her beauty and charm. She also had a remarkable family history that connected her to some of the most iconic figures of American entertainment.
She is remembered by her fans and admirers as a tragic starlet who had a lot of potential but could not fulfill it. She is also honored by her children and grandchildren, who have followed her footsteps into the world of acting.
According to Celebs Age Wik, April Kent’s net worth at the time of her death was between $1 million and $5 million. According to IMDb, she had 22 credits as an actress between 1956 and 1989.
She is one of the many actors who have passed away from Smallville, a popular TV series that chronicled the teenage and young adult years of Clark Kent prior to taking on the legendary moniker of Superman. She played Martha Kent’s mother in one episode in 2003.
