Ella Raines was a popular American actress who starred in many films and television shows in the 1940s and 1950s. She was known for her beauty, charm, and versatility, as she played roles ranging from femme fatales to comedians. She worked with some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as John Wayne, Charles Laughton, William Powell, and Burt Lancaster. She also appeared on the cover of Life magazine twice and was a pin-up girl for many soldiers during World War II. But what happened to Ella Raines and how did she die? Here is a brief overview of her life and death.
Early Life and Career
Ella Raines was born on August 6, 1920, in Snoqualmie Falls, Washington, to a logging engineer father and a homemaker mother. She grew up in a rural area and developed a love for nature and animals. She studied drama at the University of Washington and participated in many plays there. She was discovered by director Howard Hawks, who signed her to his production company B-H Productions in 1943. She made her film debut in Corvette K-225, a war drama starring Randolph Scott. She then appeared in Cry “Havoc”, an all-female war film, and Phantom Lady, a film noir based on a novel by Cornell Woolrich. She received critical acclaim for her performance as Carol Richman, a loyal secretary who tries to clear her boss of a murder charge.
She continued to star in various genres of films, such as Hail the Conquering Hero, a comedy directed by Preston Sturges; Tall in the Saddle, a western opposite John Wayne; The Suspect, a thriller with Charles Laughton; The Strange Affair of Uncle Harry, a drama with George Sanders; The Web, a crime film with Edmond O’Brien; Brute Force, a prison film with Burt Lancaster; The Senator Was Indiscreet, a satire with William Powell; Impact, a noir with Brian Donlevy; and A Dangerous Profession, another noir with George Raft. She also starred in some British films, such as The Man in the Road, her last film role.
Personal Life and Death
Ella Raines was married twice in her life. Her first husband was Kenneth Trout, an army pilot whom she married in 1942 and divorced in 1945. Her second husband was Robin Olds, a decorated fighter pilot and general of the United States Air Force whom she married in 1947 and divorced in 1976. She had two children with Olds: Christina Olds and Susan Olds Scott-Risner.
Ella Raines retired from acting in the late 1950s and devoted herself to her family and charity work. She also had her own television series, Janet Dean, Registered Nurse, which ran from 1954 to 1955. She made occasional appearances on TV shows such as Robert Montgomery Presents and Matt Houston.
Ella Raines died of throat cancer on May 30, 1988, at the age of 67. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean. She is remembered as one of the most talented and beautiful actresses of her era.
