Brian Donlevy was a popular American actor who was known for playing dangerous and tough characters in many films from the 1930s to the 1960s. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role as the sadistic Sergeant Markoff in Beau Geste (1939), and starred as U.S. special agent Steve Mitchell in the radio/TV series Dangerous Assignment. He also appeared in The Great McGinty (1940), Wake Island (1942), The Glass Key (1942), and many other films. But how did this rugged actor die? What was Brian Donlevy’s cause of death?
Early Life and Military Service
Brian Donlevy was born on February 9, 1901, in Cleveland, Ohio, to Irish immigrant parents. His father was a supervisor at a woolen mill, and his mother was a homemaker. He had a brother and a sister, who both died young
Donlevy moved to New York City in his youth, where he modeled for illustrator J. C. Leyendecker, who produced illustrations for the famous Arrow Collar advertisements. He also attended the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland, for two years, but did not graduate
He lied about his age and joined the army in 1916, when he was only 14 years old. He served in the Punitive Expedition into Mexico, which was an attempt to capture the rebel leader Pancho Villa, who had raided a town in New Mexico and killed several Americans. He later became a pilot with the Lafayette Flying Corps, which was a unit of the French Air Force composed of American and Canadian volunteers during World War I. He flew several missions and was wounded twice
Acting Career and Personal Life
After the war, Donlevy decided to pursue an acting career. He started with theater productions and silent films, and eventually won parts in sound films. He had a breakthrough role in What Price Glory (1925), a Broadway play that ran for two years and established him as an actor. He also appeared in several musicals and comedies on stage, such as Hit the Deck (1927), The Milky Way (1934), and Life Begins at 8:40 (1934)
He moved to Hollywood in 1935, where he quickly became a sought-after actor for playing tough guys and villains. He often wore black clothes and had a menacing presence on screen. He worked with some of the most famous directors and stars of his time, such as Howard Hawks, Preston Sturges, Gary Cooper, Barbara Stanwyck, Alan Ladd, Veronica Lake, and others. He also produced some of his own films, such as The Quatermass Xperiment (1955) and A Cry in the Night (1956)
He was married three times and had one son from his second marriage. His first wife was Yvonne Grey, whom he married in 1928 and divorced in 1936. His second wife was Marjorie Lane, whom he married in 1936 and divorced in 1947. His third wife was Lillian Lugosi, whom he married in 1966 and remained with until his death. She was the widow of actor Bela Lugosi, who was famous for playing Dracula
Throat Cancer and Death
Donlevy’s health began to decline in the late 1960s, as he suffered from throat cancer. He had surgery to remove part of his larynx, which affected his voice and breathing. He also lost weight and became frail. He made his last film appearance in Pit Stop (1969), where he played a racing car owner
He died on April 5, 1972, at the age of 71, at the Motion Picture Country Hospital in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California. His cause of death was complications from throat cancer. He was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea
He left behind a legacy of memorable performances that showcased his versatility and charisma as an actor. He was praised by critics and audiences alike for his ability to portray complex characters with depth and nuance. He was also respected by his peers and colleagues for his professionalism and generosity. He once said: “I don’t care whether I play a good guy or a bad guy – just so long as it’s a good part.”
