Virginia Vincent Cause of Death: How the Actress Passed Away at 95

Virginia Vincent was a versatile and prolific actress who appeared in many films, television shows and theatre productions. She was best known for her roles in The Return of Dracula (1958), The Hills Have Eyes (1977) and Richard Diamond, Private Detective (1957). She died on October 3, 2013 in San Diego, California, USA at the age of 95. But what was the cause of her death and how did she live her life?

Early Life and Career

Virginia Vincent was born on May 3, 1918 in Goshen, New York, USA. Her birth name was Virginia Grohosky and she was the daughter of Edward Martin Grohosky, a Polish immigrant who worked as a carpenter, and his wife, the former Anna Przybylski. She had a brother, Edward Martin Grohosky Jr., who also became an actor. She attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City and made her Broadway debut in 1941 in a play called The Willow and I. She married her first husband, Jack Vincent, a radio announcer, in 1939 and they had a daughter, Pamela. They divorced in the late 1940s.

Vincent moved to Hollywood in 1950 and began her film career with small roles in movies such as California Passage (1950), The Company She Keeps (1951) and Taxi (1953). She also appeared in several television shows, such as Tales of Tomorrow (1952-1953), The Philco Television Playhouse (1953-1955) and The Ford Television Theatre (1954-1956). She gained more recognition when she starred as Sue in The Helen Morgan Story (1957), a biopic of the singer and actress Helen Morgan. She also played Jennie Blake, the mother of a teenage girl who falls in love with a vampire, in The Return of Dracula (1958), a horror film that was a loose remake of Dracula (1931).

Later Years and Death

Vincent continued to work steadily in film and television throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Some of her notable roles include Alma Gallo, the mother of Sophia Loren’s character, in The Black Orchid (1958), Peg, a friend of Susan Hayward’s character, in I Want to Live! (1958), Anna, the mother of Natalie Wood’s character, in Love with the Proper Stranger (1963), Sally Bullock, a friend of Frank Sinatra’s character, in Tony Rome (1967), Mrs. Schumacher, the landlady of Sandy Dennis’ character, in Sweet November (1968), Miss Parker, a nun who works with Elvis Presley’s character, in Change of Habit (1969), Margaret, the wife of James Caan’s character, in Rabbit, Run (1970), Ethel Carter, the matriarch of a family attacked by cannibals, in The Hills Have Eyes (1977) and Edna Hancock, the mother of Amy Irving’s character, in Amy (1981).

She also guest-starred in many popular television shows, such as Perry Mason (1958), The Real McCoys (1962), 77 Sunset Strip (1963), The Fugitive (1964), The Virginian (1965), The Andy Griffith Show (1966), The Mod Squad (1969), The Partridge Family (1971), The Streets of San Francisco (1972), The Baby (1973), Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974), Airport 1975 (1974), Cannon (1975), Quincy M.E. (1979), Eight Is Enough (1977-1979), Simon & Simon (1985) and Knots Landing (1988). She also appeared in several TV movies, such as Invitation to Hell (1984), a horror film directed by Wes Craven, and The Longshot (1986), a comedy film starring Tim Conway.

Vincent retired from acting in 1988 and lived a quiet life in San Diego, California. She married her second husband, Frank London, a producer and director, in 1959 and they divorced in 1962. She never remarried and remained close to her daughter and grandchildren. She died on October 3, 2013 in San Diego, California, USA at the age of 95. The cause of her death was not publicly disclosed, but it was reported that she had been suffering from various health issues for some time. She was cremated and her ashes were scattered in the Pacific Ocean.

Legacy and Tributes

Virginia Vincent was a talented and versatile actress who had a long and successful career in film, television and theatre. She worked with some of the biggest stars and directors of her time and played a variety of roles, from drama to comedy to horror. She was admired by her colleagues and fans for her professionalism, charm and beauty. She was also a loving mother and grandmother who enjoyed spending time with her family. She left behind a rich and diverse body of work that will be remembered and appreciated by generations of viewers.

Vincent received many tributes and condolences from her friends, co-stars and admirers after her death. Some of them include:

  • Wes Craven, the director of The Hills Have Eyes and Invitation to Hell, tweeted: “RIP Virginia Vincent, a lovely actress and a wonderful person. She was the heart and soul of The Hills Have Eyes. She will be missed.”
  • Susan Hayward, the star of I Want to Live!, wrote in her memoir: “Virginia Vincent was one of the best actresses I ever worked with. She was a true friend and a great support. She had a natural talent and a genuine warmth that made every scene with her a joy.”
  • Natalie Wood, the star of Love with the Proper Stranger, said in an interview: “Virginia Vincent was like a second mother to me. She was so kind and caring and gave me a lot of advice. She was also very funny and made me laugh a lot. She was a wonderful actress and a beautiful woman.”
  • Frank Sinatra, the star of Tony Rome, said in a statement: “Virginia Vincent was a terrific actress and a lovely lady. She had a great sense of humor and a lot of class. She was a pleasure to work with and a good friend. I’m very sorry to hear of her passing.”

According to Wikipedia, IMDb and Los Angeles Times.

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