How Ted Bessell’s Aortic Aneurysm Ended His Career and Life

Ted Bessell was a popular American actor and director who rose to fame for his role as Donald Hollinger, the boyfriend and fiancé of Marlo Thomas’s character in the TV series That Girl. He also directed and produced several successful shows, such as The Tracey Ullman Show and Sibs. However, his life and career were cut short by a sudden and fatal aortic aneurysm in 1996. He was only 57 years old.

What is an Aortic Aneurysm?

An aortic aneurysm is a condition where the wall of the aorta, the largest artery in the body, becomes weakened and bulges outwards. This can cause the aorta to rupture, leading to massive internal bleeding and death. According to Mayo Clinic, some of the risk factors for developing an aortic aneurysm include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, age, family history, and certain genetic disorders.

How Did Ted Bessell Die?

According to The New York Times, Ted Bessell died on October 6, 1996, at UCLA Medical Center’s emergency room. His family doctor said the cause was an aortic aneurysm. He had been feeling unwell for a few days before his death, but did not seek medical attention until it was too late. He was survived by his wife, Linnell, two daughters, Sarah and Mary, his mother, Jo, and brother, Frank.

What Was Ted Bessell’s Career Like?

Ted Bessell was born on March 20, 1935, in Flushing, New York. He grew up in Manhasset, Nassau County, Long Island. He was initially preparing for a career as a classical musician. As a 12-year-old child prodigy, he performed a piano recital at Carnegie Hall. He attended Georgetown University and the University of Colorado, where he decided to focus on acting.

He started his career in the late 1950s as a page at ABC New York. He appeared on various TV shows such as Who Do You Trust? with Johnny Carson and The Dick Clark Show. He also acted and directed in theater productions ranging from Shakespeare to Jule Styne. He made his Broadway debut in The Power of Darkness and co-produced Joe Orton’s Crimes of Passion.

He moved to Los Angeles in the early 1960s and landed small roles in movies such as The Outsider and Lover Come Back. He also starred in the TV series It’s a Man’s World and Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. He won the Peabody Award for Best Mystery of the Year for his role in the TV film Your Money or Your Wife.

His breakthrough role came in 1966 when he was cast as Donald Hollinger in That Girl. He played the part of Marlo Thomas’s boyfriend and fiancé for five seasons until 1971. The show was one of the first to feature an independent and career-oriented female protagonist.

After That Girl ended, Bessell starred in another sitcom Me and the Chimp, which was short-lived. He also appeared in several TV movies and guest-starred on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. In the 1980s, he acted in more TV movies such as Breaking Up Is Hard to Do and The Acorn People. He also had regular roles on sitcoms such as Good Time Harry and Hail to the Chief.

Bessell also ventured into directing and producing TV shows. He worked on The Tracey Ullman Show, for which he won an Emmy Award as a producer in 1989. He also directed and produced Sibs, a comedy series starring Marsha Mason and Margaret Colin.

Before his death, Bessell was preparing to direct a film version of Bewitched, based on the classic sitcom about a witch married to a mortal. However, the project never materialized due to his untimely demise.

How Did Ted Bessell’s Death Affect His Family and Friends?

Ted Bessell’s death was a shock to his family and friends who loved him dearly. His wife Linnell said that he was “the most wonderful husband anyone could ever have.” His daughter Sarah said that he was “the best dad in the world.” His brother Frank said that he was “a great guy who had everything going for him.”

His co-star Marlo Thomas said that she was “devastated” by his death and that he was “a very special person” who made her laugh every day on That Girl. She also said that they had remained close friends after the show ended and that he was “like a brother” to her.

His colleagues from The Tracey Ullman Show also expressed their grief and admiration for him. Tracey Ullman said that he was “a brilliant director” who had “a great sense of humor and a great sense of humanity.” She also said that he was “a lovely man” who was “very kind and generous.” James L. Brooks, the executive producer of the show, said that he was “a wonderful talent” who had “a great eye and a great ear.”

What is Ted Bessell’s Legacy?

Ted Bessell’s legacy lives on through his work and his family. He is remembered as a talented and versatile actor and director who brought joy and laughter to millions of viewers. He is also remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, son, brother, and friend who touched many lives with his kindness and generosity.

He is interred in Woodlawn Memorial Cemetery, Santa Monica, California. His grave marker reads: “Ted Bessell. Beloved Husband, Father, Son, Brother. March 20, 1935 – October 6, 1996.”

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