Constance Bennett was one of the most popular and highest-paid actresses in Hollywood during the 1920s and 1930s. She starred in many films, ranging from melodramas to comedies, and was known for her glamorous looks, husky voice, and sophisticated style. She was also a savvy businesswoman, a producer, and a philanthropist who supported various causes. But how did this talented and successful starlet die at the age of 60? Here is a brief overview of Constance Bennett’s life and death.
Early Life and Career
Constance Bennett was born on October 22, 1904, in New York City, to a family of actors. Her father was Richard Bennett, a stage and silent film star, and her mother was Adrienne Morrison, an actress and daughter of a famous theatrical manager. She had two younger sisters, Barbara and Joan, who also became actresses.
Constance attended a convent school for a while, but soon followed her parents’ footsteps and entered the entertainment industry. She made her film debut in 1916, in a silent film called Reckless Decision. She then appeared in several New York-produced silent films, before moving to Hollywood in 1924, after meeting producer Samuel Goldwyn.
She quickly rose to fame in the talkies era, starring in films such as Common Clay (1930), The Easiest Way (1931), What Price Hollywood? (1932), Bed of Roses (1933), The Affairs of Cellini (1934), Topper (1937), Merrily We Live (1938), and Two-Faced Woman (1941). She often played roles of sophisticated society women or independent career women, and was praised for her comedic timing and charm.
She was also one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood, earning as much as $30,000 a week for some films. She used her wealth to invest in real estate, start businesses marketing women’s wear and cosmetics, and support various charities. She was especially involved in the war effort during World War II, entertaining troops overseas and coordinating shows for the Berlin Airlift.
Personal Life and Marriages
Constance Bennett was married five times and had three children. Her first marriage was to Chester Hirst Moorhead, a socialite, in 1921, when she was only 16 years old. The marriage was annulled two years later. Her second marriage was to Philip Morgan Plant, a millionaire businessman, in 1925. They divorced in 1929, after Plant discovered that Constance had an affair with Gilbert Roland, an actor.
Her third marriage was to Henry de la Falaise, a French nobleman and film director, in 1931. They had two children together: Peter de la Falaise (born in 1932) and Lorinda de la Falaise (born in 1933). They divorced in 1940, after Constance accused Henry of infidelity.
Her fourth marriage was to Gilbert Roland, her former lover, in 1941. They had one daughter together: Gyl Roland (born in 1942). They divorced in 1946, after Constance filed for divorce on grounds of cruelty.
Her fifth and final marriage was to John Theron Coulter, a U.S. Air Force colonel, in 1946. They remained married until Constance’s death in 1965.
Death and Legacy
Constance Bennett died on July 24, 1965, at the age of 60, at Fort Dix Army Hospital in New Jersey. The cause of death was a cerebral hemorrhage or stroke. She had just finished filming her last movie Madame X (1966), in which she played Lana Turner’s mother-in-law.
She was buried at Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors, as the widow of Colonel Coulter. She left behind her husband, her three children, her two sisters, and many fans who admired her work and personality.
Constance Bennett is remembered as one of the most versatile and successful actresses of Hollywood’s Golden Age. She starred in over 50 films across various genres and earned acclaim for her performances. She was also a pioneer for women in the film industry, as she produced some of her own films and created her own brand of beauty products. She was also a generous and patriotic woman who supported many causes and entertained troops during wartime.
According to The Celebrity Deaths website, Constance Bennett’s death was a shock to many who knew her as a vibrant and energetic starlet who seemed to defy aging. Her death marked the end of an era of glamour and elegance that she embodied so well.
