Rita Lynn Cause of Death: How the Actress Lost Her Battle with Cancer
Rita Lynn was a talented actress who appeared in several films and television shows in the 1940s and 1950s. She was best known for her roles in Code of the West (1947), Cast a Long Shadow (1959) and Madigan (1968). She was also a Broadway star who starred in an early ’40s production of Walk Into My Parlour. She was married three times and had two children. She died on January 21, 1996 in Santa Monica, California, USA at the age of 74. What was the cause of her death? How did she cope with her illness? Here are some facts about Rita Lynn’s life and death.
Rita Lynn’s Early Life and Career
Rita Lynn was born on December 2, 1921 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA as Frances Rita Piazza. She was the daughter of Francesca Cappelano, a Sicilian immigrant who ran a grocery store. She had a passion for acting since she was a child and participated in school plays and local theater groups. She moved to New York City in the late 1930s to pursue her dream of becoming a professional actress.
She made her Broadway debut in 1941 in Walk Into My Parlour, a comedy by Leslie Storm. She received positive reviews for her performance and caught the attention of Hollywood scouts. She signed a contract with Universal Pictures and made her film debut in The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1944), a historical drama based on the novel by Thornton Wilder. She played Pepita, a young orphan who dies in a bridge collapse.
She continued to appear in films such as A Bell for Adano (1945), East Side, West Side (1949), The Big Night (1951) and The Man Who Cheated Himself (1951). She also worked on television, guest starring on shows such as Philco Playhouse, The Phil Silvers Show, Big Valley and Search for Tomorrow. She was praised for her versatility and charm as an actress.
Rita Lynn’s Personal Life and Marriages
Rita Lynn was married three times and had two children from two previous marriages. Her first husband was Arthur William Debernarde, a Navy officer whom she married on February 21, 1942. They had a son named Arthur Debernarde Jr., who was born on November 11, 1942. However, their marriage was short-lived as Arthur Sr. died on January 11, 1943 in a plane crash during World War II.
Her second husband was Kane Wallace Lynn, a film producer whom she married on December 3, 1944. They had a daughter named Donna Lynn, who was born on October 10, 1945. They divorced on May 12, 1953 after nine years of marriage.
Her third and final husband was Frank Maxwell, an actor whom she married on March 26, 1966. They remained married until her death in 1996. Frank Maxwell had a daughter named Chris Ann Maxwell from his previous marriage to actress Chris Ann Graham. Rita Lynn became the stepmother of Chris Ann and they had a good relationship.
Rita Lynn’s Cancer Diagnosis and Death
Rita Lynn was diagnosed with cancer in the early 1990s. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments to fight the disease. She also continued to work as an actress, appearing in films such as The Last Boy Scout (1991) and The Bodyguard (1992). She also did voice work for animated shows such as Batman: The Animated Series and Tiny Toon Adventures.
However, her condition worsened over time and she succumbed to cancer on January 21, 1996 at the age of 74. She died at her home in Santa Monica, California, USA with her husband Frank Maxwell by her side. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea.
Rita Lynn was remembered as a talented and beautiful actress who had a long and varied career in show business. She was also a loving wife, mother and stepmother who cherished her family. She left behind a legacy of films and television shows that entertained generations of viewers.
Rita Lynn was a talented actress who appeared in several films and television shows in the 1940s and 1950s. She was best known for her roles in Code of the West (1947), Cast a Long Shadow (1959) and Madigan (1968). She was also a Broadway star who starred in an early ’40s production of Walk Into My Parlour. She was married three times and had two children. She died on January 21, 1996 in Santa Monica, California, USA at the age of 74. What was the cause of her death? How did she cope with her illness? Here are some facts about Rita Lynn’s life and death.
Rita Lynn’s Early Life and Career
Rita Lynn was born on December 2, 1921 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA as Frances Rita Piazza. She was the daughter of Francesca Cappelano, a Sicilian immigrant who ran a grocery store. She had a passion for acting since she was a child and participated in school plays and local theater groups. She moved to New York City in the late 1930s to pursue her dream of becoming a professional actress.
She made her Broadway debut in 1941 in Walk Into My Parlour, a comedy by Leslie Storm. She received positive reviews for her performance and caught the attention of Hollywood scouts. She signed a contract with Universal Pictures and made her film debut in The Bridge of San Luis Rey (1944), a historical drama based on the novel by Thornton Wilder. She played Pepita, a young orphan who dies in a bridge collapse.
She continued to appear in films such as A Bell for Adano (1945), East Side, West Side (1949), The Big Night (1951) and The Man Who Cheated Himself (1951). She also worked on television, guest starring on shows such as Philco Playhouse, The Phil Silvers Show, Big Valley and Search for Tomorrow. She was praised for her versatility and charm as an actress.
Rita Lynn’s Personal Life and Marriages
Rita Lynn was married three times and had two children from two previous marriages. Her first husband was Arthur William Debernarde, a Navy officer whom she married on February 21, 1942. They had a son named Arthur Debernarde Jr., who was born on November 11, 1942. However, their marriage was short-lived as Arthur Sr. died on January 11, 1943 in a plane crash during World War II.
Her second husband was Kane Wallace Lynn, a film producer whom she married on December 3, 1944. They had a daughter named Donna Lynn, who was born on October 10, 1945. They divorced on May 12, 1953 after nine years of marriage.
Her third and final husband was Frank Maxwell, an actor whom she married on March 26, 1966. They remained married until her death in 1996. Frank Maxwell had a daughter named Chris Ann Maxwell from his previous marriage to actress Chris Ann Graham. Rita Lynn became the stepmother of Chris Ann and they had a good relationship.
Rita Lynn’s Cancer Diagnosis and Death
Rita Lynn was diagnosed with cancer in the early 1990s. She underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments to fight the disease. She also continued to work as an actress, appearing in films such as The Last Boy Scout (1991) and The Bodyguard (1992). She also did voice work for animated shows such as Batman: The Animated Series and Tiny Toon Adventures.
However, her condition worsened over time and she succumbed to cancer on January 21, 1996 at the age of 74. She died at her home in Santa Monica, California, USA with her husband Frank Maxwell by her side. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered at sea.
Rita Lynn was remembered as a talented and beautiful actress who had a long and varied career in show business. She was also a loving wife, mother and stepmother who cherished her family. She left behind a legacy of films and television shows that entertained generations of viewers.