Jean Hagen was a talented actress who rose to fame in the 1950s with her memorable roles in films such as Singin’ in the Rain, The Asphalt Jungle, and Adam’s Rib. She was also a popular TV star, appearing in the sitcom Make Room for Daddy and several episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents. However, behind her glamorous image, Hagen faced many personal and professional challenges that led to her downfall. She died of esophageal cancer at the age of 54, leaving behind a legacy of both brilliance and tragedy.
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Early Life and Career
Jean Hagen was born Jean Shirley Verhagen on August 3, 1923, in Chicago, Illinois. Her father was a Dutch immigrant and her mother was a Chicago native. She had a happy childhood and developed a passion for acting at an early age. She performed in plays in her basement with her sister and later attended Northwestern University, where she studied drama and became friends with actress Patricia Neal.
After graduating in 1945, Hagen moved to New York with Neal and pursued a career in radio and theater. She appeared in several Broadway plays, such as Another Part of the Forest, Ghosts, and Born Yesterday. She also worked as an usher and a switchboard operator to make ends meet.
Breakthrough and Success
Hagen made her film debut in 1949, playing a witty and seductive woman in the comedy Adam’s Rib, starring Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. She impressed the director George Cukor and the critics with her natural and charming performance. She followed this with a starring role in the film noir The Asphalt Jungle, playing a loyal and naive girlfriend of a criminal. She also appeared in the thriller Side Street, opposite Farley Granger.
However, her most iconic role came in 1952, when she played Lina Lamont, a spoiled and talentless silent film star, in the musical Singin’ in the Rain. Hagen stole the show with her hilarious portrayal of Lamont, who had a shrill and grating voice that contrasted with her glamorous appearance. She also displayed her versatility by dubbing Debbie Reynolds’ singing voice in one scene. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role, as well as a Golden Globe nomination.
TV Career and Personal Problems
In 1953, Hagen joined the cast of the TV sitcom Make Room for Daddy, playing Margaret Williams, the wife of Danny Thomas’ character. She was well-liked by the audience and the critics, earning three Emmy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series. However, she left the show after three seasons, reportedly due to creative differences with Thomas and the producers. She was replaced by Marjorie Lord, who played Thomas’ second wife.
Hagen’s departure from the show coincided with the decline of her film career and the deterioration of her marriage. She had married actor Tom Seidel in 1947 and had two children with him, Christine and Aric. However, the couple had a turbulent relationship and divorced in 1965. Hagen also struggled with alcoholism and depression, which affected her health and appearance.
Final Years and Death
Hagen continued to work in TV and film, but in smaller and less significant roles. She appeared in several episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and The Andy Griffith Show. She also had a cameo in the 1964 remake of The Thin Man, playing Nora Charles’ cousin. Her last film role was in the 1977 comedy The North Avenue Irregulars, playing a nun.
Hagen was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in the mid-1970s and underwent surgery and chemotherapy. She died on August 29, 1977, at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Los Angeles, California. She was 54 years old. She was buried at Chapel of the Pines Crematory.
Jean Hagen was a talented and versatile actress who left a lasting impression on the audiences and the industry. She was praised for her comedic and dramatic skills, as well as her beauty and charm. She was also a devoted mother and a loyal friend. However, she also faced many hardships and challenges that overshadowed her success and happiness. She died too young and too soon, leaving behind a tragic story of a Hollywood star.
