2003. [151], MacDonald was awarded an honorary doctor of music degree from Ithaca College in 1956. Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Daniel and Anne MacDonald, she first . MacDonald following her 'illness' . Thanks to Katie and Angela for uncovering this unhappy but important gem and making it available for viewing. Thereafter, she stuck to guest appearances. Both were inspired by the death of a parent: in Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal . [145], The funeral took place on January 18. There are many things to notice in this video. In the 1940s, Nelson leased and remodeled for himself and MacDonald the old cowboy bunkhouse at 1330 Angelo Drive, Beverly Hills. Jeannette Anna McDonald (Jenni, JAM, The Iron Butterfly, Mac) was born on 18 June, 1903 in Philadelphia, PA, is an American singer. In 1928 Paramount tested and rejected her, but a year later Ernst Lubitsch saw her test and picked her to play opposite Maurice . She is most remembered for The Merry Widow. After a falling-out with Mayer, Eddy bought out his MGM contract (with one film left to make) and went to Universal, where he signed a million-dollar, two-picture deal. MacDonald was interred in a pink-marbled crypt[150] at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, which reads "Jeanette MacDonald Raymond." (Look at his smile and the private moment he seems to have as he chuckles over her and defends her for being late to set in the first place.). She began training for this goal with Lotte Lehmann, one of the leading opera stars of the early 20th century. [112] Her characters always had a name beginning with M, the first letter of her surname and the 13th letter of the English alphabet, a ritual upon which she had insisted. It was a concert appearance at the Philharmonic Auditorium here in 1933 that propelled Eddy to fame. Selected from H is for Hawk VINTAGE MINIS: GREAT MINDS. Jeanette MacDonald Cause of Death A healthy life can lead us to live for a longer time. [50] "Will You Remember" by Sigmund Romberg brought MacDonald another gold record. Her handwritten letter from August, 1929 indicates that MacDonald, age 26, had recently suffered a heart attack. [30] Monte Carlo became another highly regarded Lubitsch classic, with British musical star Jack Buchanan as a count who disguises himself as a hairdresser in order to woo a scatterbrained countess (MacDonald). Singer-actress Jeanette MacDonald is a perfect example of what, decades after her death, became known as a "classical crossover" artist. Cause Of Death: Heart Attack. The death of Jeanette MacDonald on January 14, 1965 at age 61 shocked and stunned fans worldwide who had not realized how very ill she was during her last years. "[2] The following year, MacDonald starred in two of the highest-grossing films of that year. Jeanette Anna MacDonald (June 18, 1903 - January 14, 1965) was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier (The . Alias confirmed: Nelson and Jeanette Randall?! 2007. In 1957, Eddy and she appeared on Patti Page's program The Big Record, singing several songs. . He said that their last conversation was when MacDonald said, "I love you," and he replied, "I love you too;" she then sighed deeply, and her head hit the pillow. Hamann, G.D. The more than 40 guest stars included Marlene Dietrich, W.C. Fields, Sophie Tucker, and Orson Welles. Anyone who has read my book Sweethearts knows what an absolute crock of nonsense that was, particularly at this point of the story! [145] Two years before, she had been assigned Dr. Michael DeBakey, who had recently operated successfully on the Duke of Windsor, in the hope that he could save her. Eddy preferred to publicly blame the proposed project as mediocre, when in fact MacDonald was uninsurable due to her heart condition. [86] Due to her heart condition, she could not carry a pregnancy to term; she had blackouts and fainting spells, became stressed to the point of not being able to eat, and was frequently in and out of hospitals and trying different treatments (one being massage therapy),[120] which only worked for a limited time. Collectible tobacco or cigarette card, 'Shots from Famous Films' series, published in 1935 by Gallaher Ltd, here actors Maurice Chevalier . Other radio shows included The Prudential Family Hour, Screen Guild Playhouse, and The Voice of Firestone, which featured the top opera and concert singers of the time. [172] The boy was named Daniel Kendrick Eddy, and Nelson buried him (or his ashes) on private property in Ojai, California. [147] In December 1964, her condition worsened and she was rushed to UCLA Medical Center. She got the lead in Thalberg's property The Merry Widow (1934), and her next MGM vehicle, Naughty Marietta (1935) brought her together with Nelson Eddy. [26] Broadway star Dennis King reprised his role as 15th-century French poet Franois Villon, and MacDonald was Princess Katherine. Jeanette Anna Macdonald Birth Place Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Born June 18, 1903 Died January 14, 1965 Cause of Death Heart Attack Following Abdominal Adhesions Biography Read More Robertson unexpectedly passed away on Saturday, Aug. 21 at the age of 77, according to her professional Facebook page. She earned three gold records,[2] one for the LP album, Favorites in Stereo[3] that she did with Nelson Eddy in 1959.[179]. Every autumn, they returned to Lake Tahoe to renew their vows. Her last ghost writer, Fredda Dudley Balling, noted that MacDonald was too ill to work more than a couple hours a day, so a final draft was never completed. September 8, 2014 @ Claudia Cassidy, the music critic of the Chicago Tribune wrote, "Her Juliet is breathtakingly beautiful to the eye and dulcet to the ear. Nelson Eddy and she sang Rudolf Friml's "Indian Love Call" to each other in the Canadian wilderness (actually filmed at Lake Tahoe). 7:25 pm. [112] Interestingly, thirteen became a recurring number throughout her life, such as the thirteen-year gap between her overseas tours in Europe;[113] principal photography for The Merry Widow had taken thirteen weeks to film;[112] her first movie, The Love Parade, was the number-one box-office draw for 13 weeks;[114] MacDonald performed opera for the first time for a screen test thirteen years after meeting Newell (who was also on set);[115] the thirteen-year gap between her and sister Blossom's death;[108] and husband Gene Raymond's birthday was August 13. [149] Newsreel footage shows Nelson Eddy as the last person to exit the church, with Lauritz Melchior and other celebrities offering him condolences. Her first European tour was in 1931, where she sang in both France and England. She appears as a ghost (unseen by Brian) occasionally throughout the movie and her death is shown in a flashback when Brian tells the niece . "[61], Following Broadway Serenade, and not coincidentally right after Nelson Eddy's surprise elopement with Ann Franklin, MacDonald left Hollywood on a concert tour and refused to renew her MGM contract. [88] When America joined World War II in 1941, MacDonald co-founded the Army Emergency Relief and raised funds on concert tours. [33] Oh, for a Man! Birth Name: Jeanette Anna MacDonald Occupation: Movie Actress Place Of Birth: Philadelphia Date Of Birth: June 18, 1903 Date Of Death: January 14, 1965 Cause Of Death: N/A Ethnicity: White Nationality: American Jeanette MacDonald was born on the 18th of June, 1903. )[176], Forbidden to marry early on by MGM studio boss Louis B. Mayer, MacDonald and Eddy performed a mock wedding ceremony at Lake Tahoe while filming Rose Marie. [23] He cast her as the leading lady in The Love Parade, his first sound film, which starred Maurice Chevalier. [138] The Raymonds lived in a 21-room Mock Tudor mansion named Twin Gables with their pet dogs and their horse White Lady, which Raymond gave to MacDonald as a birthday present;[141] after MacDonald's death, it was briefly owned by John Phillips and Michelle Phillips of The Mamas and Papas. San Francisco. She closed with "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," and 20,000 voices spontaneously joined in. We follow the aged Miss Morrison (Jeanette MacDonald) as she visits the opening set-piece, a children's maypole dance. The Sun Comes Up (1949) teamed MacDonald with Lassie in an adaptation of a short story by Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. Offers continued to come in, and in 1962, producer Ross Hunter proposed MacDonald in his 1963 comedy The Thrill of It All, but she declined. She was American by nationality. It was the final film made by the team of MacDonald and Eddy. [134] They traveled with MacDonald's family to Hollywood, and he became a press agent for MGM. An early version of the book, written with James Brough, is in the Cinematic Arts Library, Doheny Memorial Library, University of Southern California. In contrast to the previous film, the co-stars were relaxed onscreen and singing frequently together. Her funeral was held on January 18, 1965, at Forest Lawn Cemetery. [103] After the panelists guessed her identity, she told John Daly she was in New York for the holidays and would have a recital at Carnegie Hall on January 16. Norm Macdonald, whose laconic delivery of sharp and incisive observations made him one of Saturday Night Live 's most influential and beloved cast members, died today after a nine-year private. [149] Along with close family and widower Raymond, it was notably attended by a handful of MacDonald's costars (such as Eddy, Allan Jones, Chevalier, Joe E. Brown, Spencer Tracy, Lloyd Nolan, etc. Her zodiac sign is Gemini. In 1931, Don't Bet on Women was a non-musical drawing-room comedy in which a playboy (Edmund Lowe) bets his happily married friend (Roland Young) that he can seduce his friend's wife (MacDonald). The film integrated Victor Herbert's 1913 stage score into a modern backstage story scripted by Dorothy Parker and Alan Campbell. She frequently attempted a comeback movie, even financing and paying a screenwriter. Jeanette MacDonald Birth 18 Jun 1903 Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, USA Death 14 Jan 1965 (aged 61) Houston, Harris County, Texas, USA Burial Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale, Los Angeles County, California, USA Show Map Plot [138] She met him at a Hollywood party two years earlier at Roszika Dolly's home;[139] MacDonald agreed to a date, as long as it was at her family's dinner table. (Ed. J Guy Kibbee and Alice Brady. She was the third daughter of Daniel and Anne MacDonald, younger sister to Blossom (MGM's character actress Marie Blake), whom she followed to New York and a chorus job in 1920. [119], MacDonald eventually dated a Wall Street rep named Robert Ritchie (died 1972[108]), 12 years her senior,[133] who claimed that he was the son of a fallen millionaire. These were the ones which astounded me most. MacDonald appeared on early TV, most frequently as a singing guest star. When approached by the House Un-American Activities Committee about whether she had heard any gossip about Communist activity in Hollywood, she replied, "As at any focal point, there are some belligerents, but they are no more numerous than in any other community. Singer actress. Jeanette MacDonald. Jeanette filled the years of World War II with stage performances like many other actors while husband Gene Raymond served our country overseas as a bomber pilot . "When Jeanette MacDonald approached me for coaching lessons," wrote Lehmann, "I was really curious how a glamorous movie star, certainly spoiled by the adoration of a limitless world, would be able to devote herself to another, a higher level of art. MacDonald's footage singing a duet of "Come Back to Sorrento" with Nino Martini was cut from the release print due to copyright reasons with Universal Studios, which had recently acquired the copyright to the song for an upcoming movie, King of Jazz. Jeanette MacDonald (English) 1 reference. [173][174][175], Over the decades, MacDonald and Eddy privately occupied several homes together. The majority of her radio work in the mid to late 1940s was with Eddy. Jeanette MacDonald ( June 18, 1903 & ndash; January 14, 1965) was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier (" Love Me Tonight ", " The Merry Widow ") and Nelson Eddy (" Naughty Marietta ", " Rose Marie ", and " Maytime "). Sweethearts won the Photoplay Gold Medal Award as Best Picture of the Year. [90] On one occasion, at the request of Lt. Ronald Reagan, she was singing for a large group of men in San Francisco who were due to ship out to the fierce fighting in the South Pacific. Los Angeles, June 25, 2023. "[165] Nevertheless, MacDonald had additional, later, documented and visible pregnancies while married to Raymond, all of which ended in miscarriage. Love the doghouse story. The script by Anita Loos suffered serious censorship cuts during filming that made the result less successful. In January 1938, Raymond was arrested for one of three times for having sex with men. [129] MacDonald next dated Irving Stone (1901-1968)[132] from around 192628; they met when she was touring in Chicago in The Magic Ring. Her younger sister was screen actress and singer Jeanette MacDonald. Jeanette MacDonalds deathNelson Eddys reaction, Save the date! Nelson Eddy had his own apartment on the 7th floor of the West building, and allowed MacDonald to decorate it; they used it as a rendezvous spot until she was too weak to walk the few yards over to his building. Browse 452 jeanette macdonald stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. I have spent many good years in training and cultivating it, and I would be foolish to do anything which might impair or ruin it. (Jeanette MacDonald), Copyright 2023 /The Celebrity Deaths.com/All Rights Reserved. Naughty Marietta (1935), directed by W. S. Van Dyke, was MacDonald's first film in which she teamed with newcomer baritone Nelson Eddy. She went to Europe where she met Irving Thalberg and his wife Norma Shearer (whom she loaned both her hairdresser and chauffeur). [4] She began dancing lessons with local dance instructor Caroline Littlefield, mother of American ballerina/choreographer Catherine Littlefield, when very young, performing in juvenile operas, recitals, and shows staged by Littlefield around the city, including at the Academy of Music. [143] Although she appreciated his support, MacDonald wished that their success was equal. spouse. [116], On sets, MacDonald would never lip-sync, instead singing along to song playbacks during filming, which Lew Ayres discovered when he starred alongside her in Broadway Serenade, whereupon he was supplied with earplugs after the volume nauseated him. [32] MacDonald next signed a three-picture deal with the Fox Film Corporation, a controversial move in Hollywood; every other studio was far superior in the eyes of many, from their budgets to the fantastical entertainment of their films. Director Ray Stricklyn Jesse James Willard Parker Cole Younger Merry Anders Belle Starr Robert Dix Frank James Emile Meyer William Quantrill Film Details Genre Biography Western Release Date Aug 1960 Premiere Information New York opening: 24 Aug 1960 Production Company Associated Producers, Inc. Distribution Company [159] She hired and fired other ghostwriters and wrote a manuscript solo but it was rejected by the publisher for being "too genteel";[160] MacDonald refused to include many personal details about Eddy and she deleted already typed pages admitting to one single pregnancy that ended in miscarriage. During her career she was also billed as Marie Blake or Blossom MacDonald. Survived by her daughter Sharon MacDonald and son-in-law Armando Pineda and sister Maureen Gadbois (Pich) and many nieces and nephews. In 1928 Paramount tested and rejected her, but a year later Ernst Lubitsch saw her test and picked her to play opposite Maurice Chevalier in The Love Parade (1929). But none was more stunned than Nelson Eddy, who had spoken to her just days earlier and assumed her silence the last few days was just because she was recuperating and getting her strength back. [47] In this tale of the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, MacDonald played a hopeful opera singer opposite Clark Gable as the extra-virile proprietor of a Barbary Coast gambling joint, and Spencer Tracy as his boyhood chum who has become a priest and gives the moral messages. During the 1930s and 1940s she starred in 29 feature films, four nominated for Best Picture Oscars, and recorded extensively, earning three gold records. [155], The USC Thornton School of Music built a Jeanette MacDonald Recital Hall in her honor. Jeanette MacDonald, the movie musical's first superstar, was an American original whose onscreen radiance mirrored a beguiling real-life personality. [8] The extra N in her given name was later dropped for simplicity's sake,[4] and A added to her surname to emphasize her Scottish heritage. The initial show featured guest stars Leo Durocher and Larraine Day, but it failed to find a slot. [27] She sang "Some Day" and "Only a Rose." 0 references. Nelson Eddy Cries When Interviewed After the Death of His Longtime Lover, Jeanette MacDonald Hear 1930s movie star Nelson Eddy break down during an interview regarding the death of his co-star and secret lover of 30 years, Jeanette MacDonald. Lyrics, Song Meanings, Videos, Full Albums & Bios: Isle of Formentera (Ciree Remix) - Continuous Mix Version, San Francisco, Isle of Formentera (Ciree Remix), Blue Mountains, Summerlust (Tom Bro Remix), It's Complicated, Voyage - myni8hte Remix, Isle of imported from Wikimedia project. Jeanette Macdonald and Nelson Eddy Sing "Ah Sweet Mystery of Life" and Other Favourites. I shall be at the funeral on Monday. [2], The Firefly (1937) was MacDonald's first solo-starring film at MGM with her name alone above the title. [72] MacDonald plays a divorce whose lively daughters (Jane Powell, Ann E. Todd, and Elinor Donahue) keep trying to get her back with her ex, but she has secretly remarried. , patti 2 Comments, The death of Jeanette MacDonald on January 14, 1965 at age 61 shocked and stunned fans worldwide who had not realized how very ill she was during her last years. Rich's findings also included documentation that Raymond physically and emotionally abused MacDonald, and had affairs as early as their honeymoon when MacDonald allegedly discovered Raymond in bed with Buddy Rogers. In 1920, she appeared in two musicals: Jerome Kern's Night Boat as a chorus replacement, and Irene on the road as the second female lead; future film star Irene Dunne played the title role during part of the tour,[12] and Helen Shipman played the title role during the other part of the tour. In 1963, MacDonald and Raymond moved into two adjoining apartments at the Wilshire Comstock in Westwood, on the 8th floor in the East building. Mayer released his four highest-paid actresses from their MGM contracts; Norma Shearer, Joan Crawford, Greta Garbo, and Jeanette MacDonald. [56], Mayer had promised MacDonald the studio's first Technicolor feature, and he delivered with Sweethearts (1938), co-starring Eddy. American Actress Jeanette MacDonald was born Jeanette Anna MacDonald on 18th June, 1903 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA and passed away on 14th Jan 1965 Houston, Texas, USA aged 61. [72] MacDonald is shown during a concert singing "Beyond the Blue Horizon," and in a studio-filmed sequence singing "I'll See You in My Dreams" to a blinded soldier. [128] His family was hesitant about the relationship, assuming that MacDonald was a gold-digger, but accepted her after they met. One of the possible film reunions with Nelson Eddy was to be made in England, but Eddy pulled out when he learned MacDonald was investing her own funds. [41] Despite a Technicolor finalethe first use of the new three-color Technicolor process other than Disney cartoonsthe film was not a huge success. May 6, 1998 12 AM PT TIMES STAFF WRITER Gene Raymond, the suave, good-looking blond actor who ranged from Broadway to Hollywood to radio and television but was perhaps best known for his storybook. More about Jeanette MacDonald edit Dating History # 2 Gene Raymond 21 3 1937 - 1965 The cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner, the Sheriff's office said, but there were no signs of foul play or drugs. It will be the most miserable day of my life. Nelson Eddy, metromoviestar PAT ATF F St. at Thirteenth r Theater of the Stars "IN OLD CHICAGO." with Tyrone Power, i Alice Faye and Don Atneche. [55] The film featured an original score[56] by Sigmund Romberg,[57] and reused the popular David Belasco stage plot[54] (also employed by opera composer Giacomo Puccini for La fanciulla del West). 2009. She was also famous from other names as Jenni, JAM, The Iron Butterfly, Mac, Jeanette MacDonald. date of death. Here is the audio tape of that very first interviewNelson gasping as he spoke in spurtsthe interviewer kept pushing him beyond what he could tell and deal with for (as he so bitterly termed) public consumption. The interview ended prematurely due to his breaking down and crying. place of burial. I can live like this forever! (Jeanette MacDonald), I have no inhibitions about smoking or drinking, but I think too much of my voice to place it in jeopardy. [34], MacDonald took a break from Hollywood in 1931 to embark on a European concert tour, performing at the Empire Theater in Paris[36] (Mistinguett and Morris Gest were said to have been in the crowd)[36] and at London's Dominion Theatre,[37] and was invited to dinner parties with British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald and French newspaper critics. Jeanette MacDonald (1903 - 1965) Nelson Eddy (1901 - 1967)Farewell To Dreams from the "first" Maytime scrapped after the death of Irving Thalberg. view all Elsie MacDonald's Timeline. [67], I Married an Angel (1942), was adapted from the Rodgers & Hart stage musical about an angel who loses her wings on her wedding night. Although highly praised by reviewers at the time,[35] only one reel of this film survives. Many thanks to all for your never ending work in bringing all these many articles about our Jeanette and Nelson to us. [3] On Playhouse 90 (March 28, 1957), MacDonald played Charley's real aunt to Art Carney's impersonation in "Charley's Aunt. The press reported a "severe cold' was the cause of MacDonald's illness. Jeanette MacDonald's death; Nelson Eddy breaks down when interviewed, January 14, 1965 (Exclusive) maceddy 1.05K subscribers 298K views 16 years ago Hollywood's Greatest Cover-Up. [103] On November 12, 1952, she was the subject of Ralph Edwards' This Is Your Life. (After Eddy's death, his widow Ann learned of the apartment and moved into it. [157], MacDonald began developing an autobiography in the 1950s. Jeanette Anna MacDonald Other Names Jenni Jam The Iron Butterfly Mac Jeanette Anna MacDonald Jeanette MacDonald Age 61 (age at death) Date of Birth 18 June 1903 Birthplace Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA Date of Death 14 January 1965 Location of Death Houston, Texas, USA Cause of Death Heart Attack Build Average Height 5' 4" (163 cm) Eye Color Blue She suffered heart ailments and, after an arterial transplant in 1963, died of a heart attack in Houston in 1965. In her films, radio, television appearances, concerts, and recordings, she sang opera, operetta, art songs, and show tunes, often with an eye toward popularizing classical music for the masses. But Nelson Eddy? Despite music by Rudolf Friml, the film was not successful. Here is all you want to know, and more! Only one event would permanently separate the couple - the death of Jeanette MacDonald. Death: 1970 (76-77) Immediate Family: . She hoped to enter grand opera; she did take lessons and gave concert recitals. He totally relates to her and her viewpoint, he justifies why what she did was adorable and correct, and he sounds like a happy little kid telling ithis breathing changes, his face flushes slightly, there is momentary joy and pride in his voice behind the evident shell-shocked grief. The unfinished manuscript was published and annotated in 2004. In 1953, MacDonald sang "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the inauguration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, broadcast on both radio and TV. With breathtaking honesty and insight, she recounts her months spent taming a goshawk and how, finally, this strange kinship led her to the first tentative steps to recovery. Learn How rich is She in this year and how She spends money? The one thing I missed was never having children. McDonald Sisters: Elsie (on left), Edith (aka, Blossom Rock), and Jeanette. For me, the most striking was the change in his expression and entire countenance when he tells the story of how Jeanette was in the dog house after angering director Woody Van Dyke for showing up late on set. Sweet Mystery of Life" and "Italian Street Song. [144], Raymond was sometimes mistaken for Nelson Eddy by MacDonald's fans and passersby, which MacDonald later admitted that she never liked: "Of course we always laughed it offsometimes Gene even obliged by signing Nelson's namebut no one will ever know the agonies I suffered on such occasions. The situation ended with MacDonald losing her baby at nearly 6 months. [106] MacDonald was the only daughter in the family that had inherited both her father's red hair and blue-green eyes,[7] although she often admired her sisters' beauty, such as Blossom's dimples[107] and her elder sister Elsie's (1893[106]1970[108]) blonde hair and blue eyes.