Claire Griswold Cause of Death: How the Actress and Wife of Sydney Pollack Lost Her Battle with Parkinson’s Disease

Claire Griswold was an American actress who appeared in several TV shows and movies in the 1950s and 1960s, such as The Twilight Zone, The Investigators, and Studio One. She was also the wife of the acclaimed director and producer Sydney Pollack, who directed classics like Out of Africa, Tootsie, and The Firm. The couple had three children, Rachel, Rebecca, and Steven. Sadly, Claire Griswold passed away on March 28, 2011, at the age of 74, after suffering from Parkinson’s disease for many years. Here is a brief overview of her life and career, and the details of her tragic death.

Early Life and Career

Claire Griswold was born on October 30, 1936, in Honolulu, Hawaii, to a family of military officers. She grew up in various places, including Japan, Germany, and Washington, D.C. She developed an interest in acting and modeling at a young age, and moved to New York City to pursue her dreams. She studied acting with Sanford Meisner at the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre, where she met her future husband, Sydney Pollack, who was Meisner’s assistant. The two fell in love and got married on September 22, 1958.

Claire Griswold started her acting career in the late 1950s, appearing in several TV shows, such as Kraft Theatre, The United States Steel Hour, and The Twilight Zone. She also had a few roles in movies, such as The Young Savages (1961), The Spiral Road (1962), and The Swimmer (1968). She was considered for the lead role in Alfred Hitchcock’s Marnie (1964), but lost it to her friend Tippi Hedren. She was praised for her beauty and talent, and was under personal contract to Hitchcock for a while.

Family Life and Retirement

Claire Griswold and Sydney Pollack had a happy and lasting marriage, despite the challenges of working in Hollywood. They had three children, Rachel, Rebecca, and Steven, who were born between 1959 and 1964. Claire Griswold decided to retire from acting in 1963, to focus on raising her family and supporting her husband’s career. She was a devoted mother and wife, and was involved in various charitable and social causes. She also enjoyed traveling, gardening, and painting.

Claire Griswold and Sydney Pollack faced a terrible tragedy in 1993, when their son Steven, who was a pilot, died in a plane crash at the age of 34. The couple was devastated by the loss, but remained strong and supportive of each other. They also had to cope with Claire Griswold’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease, a degenerative neurological disorder that affects movement, speech, and cognition. She battled the disease for over a decade, with the help of her husband and daughters.

Death and Legacy

Claire Griswold died on March 28, 2011, at her home in West Hollywood, California, surrounded by her loved ones. She was 74 years old. Her cause of death was Parkinson’s disease, according to her obituary. Her husband, Sydney Pollack, had died three years earlier, on May 26, 2008, from stomach cancer. He was 73 years old. The couple was cremated and their ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

Claire Griswold is remembered as a beautiful and talented actress, a loving and loyal wife, and a caring and compassionate mother. She left behind a legacy of grace, dignity, and courage. She is survived by her daughters, Rachel and Rebecca, her son-in-law, Hutch Parker, and her grandchildren, Claire, Will, and Jack. She is also remembered by her fans, friends, and colleagues, who admired her work and her personality. She will be missed by many.

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