Clara Blandick was a 20th century film actress who became immortalized as Auntie Em in the 1939 classic The Wizard of Oz. She had a long and successful career in theater and movies, but her life ended in a tragic suicide. What drove her to take her own life, and how did she do it? This article will explore the cause and circumstances of Clara Blandick’s death, as well as some facts about her life and legacy.
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Early Life and Career
Clara Blandick was born on June 4, 1876, in British Hong Kong, where her father was a ship captain. She was delivered by another captain, William H. Blanchard, whose wife gave her the name Clara Blanchard Dickey. She later changed her name to Clara Blandick by combining the first syllables of her middle and last names. [according to Wikipedia]
She moved to the United States with her family when she was a child, and settled in Quincy, Massachusetts. She developed an interest in acting, and made her stage debut in Boston in 1897. She moved to New York City in 1900, and appeared in several Broadway plays, such as If I Were King, The Christian, and Raffles The Amateur Cracksman. [according to Wikipedia]
She started her film career in 1908 with the Kalem company, and made dozens of silent movies until the advent of sound. She transitioned to talkies with ease, and became a popular character actress who often played eccentric elderly matriarchs. Some of her notable films include Tom Sawyer (1930), Judge Priest (1934), David Copperfield (1935), The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (1938), and The Blue Bird (1940). [according to Wikipedia]
The Wizard of Oz and Beyond
Clara Blandick’s most famous role was Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz (1939), the kind-hearted aunt of Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland). She only had a few scenes in the film, but she made a lasting impression with her warm and maternal presence. She also delivered one of the most memorable lines in the film: “There’s no place like home.” [according to The Celebrity Deaths]
The Wizard of Oz was a huge success, and became one of the most beloved films of all time. It also earned Blandick a place in Hollywood history, as she was one of the few surviving cast members who attended the film’s re-release in 1955. She also appeared in several documentaries and TV shows about the film, such as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic (1990) and Memories of Oz (2001). [according to Wikipedia]
Blandick continued to work in films until 1950, when she retired from acting. Her last film was Key to the City (1950), starring Clark Gable and Loretta Young. She also made some guest appearances on TV shows, such as The Lone Ranger (1951) and Dragnet (1952). [according to Wikipedia]
Health Problems and Suicide
Blandick’s health began to deteriorate in the 1950s. She suffered from severe arthritis, which caused her constant pain and limited her mobility. She also developed glaucoma, which threatened to blind her completely. She became depressed and isolated, and felt that she had nothing left to live for. [according to The Celebrity Deaths]
On April 15, 1962, Blandick decided to end her life. She returned home from Palm Sunday services at her church, and prepared herself for death. She dressed up in an elegant royal blue dressing gown and styled her hair. She placed her favorite photos and memorabilia around her, including press clippings from her long career. She wrote a suicide note that read: “I am now about to make the great adventure. I cannot endure this agonizing pain any longer. It is all over my body. Neither can I face the impending blindness. I pray the Lord my soul to take. Amen.” [according to The Celebrity Deaths]
She then took an overdose of sleeping pills and tied a plastic bag over her head. She lay down on a couch, covered herself with a gold blanket, and died peacefully. Her landlady found her body the next morning. She was 85 years old. [according to The Celebrity Deaths]
Legacy and Burial
Blandick’s death shocked and saddened many people who knew and loved her. She was survived by a niece, Catherine Hopkins, who inherited her estate. She was cremated at Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Glendale, California, where her ashes were interred along with those of her sister and brother-in-law. Only a few yards away from her ashes were those of Charley Grapewin, who played Uncle Henry in The Wizard of Oz. [according to The Celebrity Deaths]
Blandick’s death was largely overshadowed by the death of another Wizard of Oz star, Jack Haley, who played the Tin Man. He died of a heart attack on the same day as Blandick, and received more media attention. Blandick’s suicide was also not widely reported, as it was considered a taboo subject at the time. [according to The Celebrity Deaths]
However, Blandick’s legacy lives on through her films, especially The Wizard of Oz, which is still watched and loved by millions of people around the world. She is also remembered for her talent, beauty, and grace, as well as her courage and dignity in facing her hardships. She is an inspiration to many people who struggle with physical and mental health issues, and who seek hope and happiness in their lives. [according to Wikipedia]
