Then, during an operation to remove all four of her wisdom teeth, Jean's heart momentarily stopped beating. This content is imported from YouTube. Before Norma Jean Baker became a 1950s screen siren, another actress defined the Hollywood platinum blonde concept: Jean Harlow. Harlow died of kidney failure on June 7 of that year at the age of 26. When Harlow got famous, Mama Jean only got worse. Harlean Carpenter, who later became Jean Harlow, was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 3, 1911.She was the daughter of a successful dentist and his wife.In 1927, at the age of 16, she ran away from home to marry a young businessman named Charles McGrew, who was 23.. Secondly, how did Jean Harlow really die? Hollywood, June 7.Miss Jean Harlow, the platinum blonde film actress, died here to-day at the age of 26. At the time, the couple was the talk of the town, and it was very much the stuff of tabloids in modern times. She was married twice. • Barlett, Donald L.; Steele, James B. Her standard of acting was always high, and she had in the last two or three years shown that she could improve on it; critics who thought that she was no more than alternately a tornado or a doll were disillusioned. Sadly, at the time, there wasn't much that could be done. She had struggled with medical issues throughout her life and fell seriously ill in 1937 during the filming of the movie Saratoga. (Similarly, Norma Jean would borrow her mother's maiden name of Monroe.) Two months later, while working on another movie with Clark Gable called Saratoga, her mouth was still infected from the surgery. Just as Marilyn Monroe used to be Norma Jean, Jean Harlow was born Harlean Carpenter on March 3, 1911, in Kansas City, Missouri. Yet, she was given mainly "dumb blonde" parts and was considered by some to be the same in real life (perhaps one of the most obvious parallels to Marilyn Monroe). Jean was taken to Good Samaritan hospital on June 6 where she slipped into a coma. She was removed from her Beverly Hills home to hospital, where she died. She was taken ill only ten days ago with internal inflammation, and later she was stated to have almost recovered. Her big break was in Howard Hughes's Hell's Angels (1930), in which she replaced the original lead, silent film star Greta Nissen, who spoke with a thick Norwegian accent and therefore couldn't, in the director's mind, transition to the "talkies". Taysha Murtaugh was the Lifestyle Editor at CountryLiving.com. But long before Norma Jean Baker became a 1950s screen siren, another actress defined the concept of the Hollywood platinum blonde: Jean Harlow. She died the next morning, June 7, at 11:37AM. Hughes's publicity director is credited for coining the moniker "Platinum Blonde", says The Atlantic (just as Mary Pickford was designated "America's Sweetheart"). How Did Jean Harlow Die. Jean Harlow lived across the street from canine superstar Rin Tin Tin and his owner Lee Duncan. Her funeral took place in the Wee Kirk O’ The Heather Chapel at Forest Lawn Cemetery. Though she had just a small part in the 1929 film The Saturday Night Kid, Jean all but stole the show from the lead, Clara Bow, the "It Girl" starlet of the time. Cause: Her death certificate lists acute resperatory infection, acute nephritis an uremia. What age did Jean Harlow die? In the span of only a few years, the actress established herself as a smoldering sex symbol while simultaneously displaying a serious skill for quick comedic dialogue. Her movies included Hell’s Angels, Red Dust, Dinner at Eight, and Bombshell. Jean's personal life was less stable than her work life. Stomach pain and vomiting believed to be the flu kept Jean home in bed and was later misdiagnosed and treated as a swollen gallbladder. (I have one of those. Miss Jean Harlow, the platinum blonde film actress, died here to-day at the age of 26. Jean Harlow: Literally killed by marketing Mercifully, Jean was one of hair dyes last casualties. But, according to an episode of You Must Remember This, a podcast by Karina Longworth, Harlean was soon healthy enough to marry the first of her three husbands. Despite rumors that he was murdered at the hands of a former lover (it turned out Paul was still common-law married to another woman) and an alleged MGM cover-up, Paul's death was ultimately ruled a suicide. (1979). Now, 80 years after her death, a look back at Jean Harlow's tragic story—and the eerily parallel lives of the two Hollywood legends. In several films, Jean starred opposite heartthrob Clark Gable, most notably in 1932's Red Dust. However, alternative theories circulated about Jean's untimely death, just as they would in 1962, when a 36-year-old Marilyn Monroe unexpectedly died. By the 1950s mainstream brands like L’Oréal were selling hair dye that dyed hair blonde by lightening, rather than replying on bleach, or you know…piss. The first Jean Harlow had been a great beauty who dreamed of her own movie stardom. After all, Harlow was considered the ultimate sex symbol, beautiful and larger than life, while Bern was a short, unattractive little man old enough to be her father, and so there was all manner of talk on the town about them. In 1937, age 26, and at the height of her career, Harlow died of kidney failure and uremic poisoning. Click to see full answer Herein, who is Jean Harlow's daughter? It did not take time before her parents parted ways and she went on to reside with her mother. Perhaps the most remarkable example of that impulse was in a full-page newspaper article reprinted across the country in March 1931, “Newest Ideas about Brain Power.” [See Figure 9.] I watched the Harlow marathon on TCM and it was delightful watching Jean Harlow grow as an actress. However happy she may have been personally with William, Jean continued to drink heavily, which as Longworth notes, "may have obscured other health problems," including headaches mistaken for hangovers and a puffy face and swollen belly that Jean likely believed to be alcohol-related weight gain (her mother's solution was apparently to put her on a strict diet). Miss Harlow was working with Clark Gable on a film about horse-racing entitled “Saratoga” when she was taken ill. Two of the recent films in which she starred were “Libelled Lady,” with William Powell, and “China Seas,” with Clark Gable and Wallace Beery. Jean's cause of death was uremic poisoning (brought on by acute nephritis). Jean Harlow is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, CA – The Great Mausoleum. The tangled tale of Jean Harlow, her dead husband and a woman found drowned in Sacramento. Jean Harlow, née Harlean Harlow Carpenter, le 3 mars 1911 à Kansas City, Missouri, et morte le 7 juin 1937 à Los Angeles, Californie, est une actrice américaine et un sex symbol des années 1930. Country Living editors select each product featured. A string of hit movies followed, including Bombshell (1933), Dinner at Eight (1933), Reckless (1935), and Suzy (1936). Known initially for her striking beauty and forthright sexuality, Harlow developed considerably as an actress, but she died prematurely at the height of her career. Her death was so sudden and unexpected that many theories evolved―it was caused by a botched abortion, a beating at the hands of her polygamist husband Paul Bern, over-dieting, and blood … But certainly, they were interested in her—or at least, in her look: a glamorous blonde with killer curves. Explore Jean Harlow's biography, personal life, family and cause of death. Some believe that the heavy-duty dying process may have led to her demise. Harlean's mother's name was actually Jean Harlow, but after her daughter took on the screen name, she began going by "Mother Jean". Jean Harlow, American actress who was the original Blonde Bombshell. Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. Jean Harlow was the epitome of a sex goddess and she was so much more as your grandmother knew. Still, the look inspired thousands of women to purchase peroxide and attempt (often unsuccessfully) to re-create it themselves—including, eventually, the future Marilyn Monroe, who even hired Harlow's same stylist to color her hair. Mama Jean (as she came to be known) doted on, spoiled, and coddled her darling daughter to the point of smothering. December 7, 2020. Apparently, she wasn't all that interested in becoming a star, even giving them a fake name: her mom's. Jean’s mother was from a wealthy family while her father was an ordinary dentist. Paul" And then postscript: "You understand that last night was only a comedy". Basically, she died from kidney failure — her kidneys were damaged when she contracted scarlett fever at age 14. I am so, so fascinated by the lives of old Hollywood stars like Jean Harlow, and I honestly can't explain why. Freedom to Love (1969) jean harlow hair, jean harlow movies, jean harlow hollywood, jean harlow biography, jean harlow hairstyles, estate of jean harlow, jean harlow autopsy, jean harlow illness, jean harlow wedding, jean harlow makeup, jean harlow husband, … Mr. William Powell, the actor, was with Miss Harlow’s mother at the bedside. Sadly, she never got the chance. Jean was only 26 years-old when she died on June 7, 1937 of uremic poisoning. Her Career as a Film StarJean Harlow, the film actress, whose death at the age of 26 is reported from Hollywood, was born in Chicago. That year, Norma Jean would have been 11 years old, living in the Los Angeles Orphans Home in Hollywood and perhaps only beginning to dream of stardom. Jean Harlow died two days after the diagnosis, on June 7, 1937, at the age of 26. So successful was the nickname that a 1931 Frank Capra film was renamed Platinum Blonde especially for the white-haired Jean, even though she was the supporting actress and not the film's leading lady. After Paul's death, Jean still struggled to find happiness. William Powell had been Miss Harlow’s constant companion at social events in recent months, and Hollywood was confident that there would be a marriage. A publicist came up with the term ‘Platinum Blonde’ to describe it. Grand gal.” MGM closed on the day of her funeral, June 9, 1937. Of course, the hue wasn't natural: Jean's hairstylist dyed it weekly with an incredibly harsh and dangerous combination of peroxide, ammonia, Clorox, and Lux flakes. ISBN 0-393-07513-3. At the insistence of Mother Jean, the newly dubbed Jean Harlow began auditioning and appearing in Laurel and Hardy shorts and even left her husband when he expressed opposition to the idea of her acting. She began dating a separated but still married boxer, Max Baer. The dog died in the Blonde Bombshell’s lap. Eight decades after her untimely and controversial death, a look back at the rise and fall of one of the brightest stars of the silver screen. But by 1935, Jean seemed to have finally found love with actor William Powell, her costar in Reckless and Libeled Lady. Jean Harlow war eine US-amerikanische Schauspielerin. So when Jean Harlow stepped into the limelight with her hair a shiny, white-blonde, it was new and exciting. Harlow was engaged to marry the actor William Powell, her co-star in Reckless (1935) and Libeled Lady (1936), when she suddenly became seriously ill in late May 1937. It was an immediate sensation and Jean even attributed her fame to her hair colour. But when Max's wife filed for divorce on the grounds of adultery and named Jean as co-respondent, the studio, hoping to avoid another scandal, arranged for Jean to marry cinematographer Harold Rosson. Empire: The Life, Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. She had never fully recovered from the Scarlet Fever she got at fifteen and had been slowly dying for more than a decade. Harlow and her mother were disturbingly close. Harlean was discovered by Fox executives while she was visiting a movie lot with a friend. The Blond Bombshell died at only 26 years of age on June 7, 1937. The next year, Charles inherited a small fortune and moved with his new bride to Beverly Hills, where the couple carried on a reportedly rather raucous party lifestyle. For years, different rumors persisted as to what suddenly killed Jean Harlow, the incandescent sex goddess of the 1930s. Her official cause of death was kidney failure and a cerebral edema. She had been married twice before. So true. She was a natural comedienne with that sexy X-factor. Finding the truth difficult to accept, some fans speculated that Jean really died of a botched abortion, or of intestinal damage … Finding the truth difficult to accept, some fans speculated that Jean really died of a botched abortion, or of intestinal damage from being beaten, or from the very bleach that gave her hair its platinum blonde shade. Jean Harlow being assisted from her house by her step-father Mario Bello and a relative Donald Robertson on her way to the funeral of her husband Paul Bern, who was found shot dead at … In her later films – “Wife versus Secretary,” “Libelled Lady,” and “Possessed,” – she showed that she was equal to the best women “stars” in Hollywood as an actress and ahead of most of them in vitality. It read, "Dearest Dear, Unfortuately [sic] this is the only way to make good the frightful wrong I have done you and to wipe out my abject humiliation, I Love you. She had been given two blood transfusions and injections and placed in an oxygen tent, but she lapsed into a coma early to-day and never regained consciousness. (The first successful kidney dialysis was not until 1945, and the first successful kidney transplant in 1954.) The cause of death was uraemic poisoning, which spread to the brain. 8 June 1937: Jean Harlow was the first of Hollywood’s platinum blondes, and appeared in film after film as the tough, wise-cracking, tempestuous young woman, Last modified on Thu 26 Mar 2020 14.21 GMT. Soon, her mo… Not even ten years into her career, Jean was looking less and less like her blonde bombshell self. 10 Never-Before-Seen Marilyn Monroe Photos, Mariska Hargitay Discusses Mom Jayne Mansfield, This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. Found in the home was what some believe to have been a suicide note. Photo of Jean Harlow from the cover of the “New York Sunday News” magazine. The doctors say she never rallied after a relapse last night. How Much Do You Know About Clark Gable? While another beautiful blonde actress, Thelma Todd, had already paved the way for the bubbly curvaceous blonde persona, Jean took it in a new direction. Harlean Carpenter, who later became Jean Harlow, was born in Kansas City, Missouri, on March 3, 1911. Harlow's third marriage, to the cinematographer Harold Rosson, lasted less than a year. At age 15, Harlean caught scarlet fever, an illness that may have contributed to her eventual death. The film Saratoga had to be completed using Jean's body-double, an experience Clark tragically compared to acting "in the arms of a ghost.". Erin Moran's Likely Cause of Death Revealed, The True Story Behind Patsy Cline's Untimely Death, Natasha Richardson and Liam Neeson's Love Story. Finally, another doctor correctly diagnosed her kidney disease, which was linked to her scarlet fever as a child and had likely been a long time coming. The union lasted only eight months. Jean Harlow (n. Harlean Harlow Carpenter; 3 martie 1911 – 7 iunie 1937) a fost o actriță americană de film și un sex simbol al anilor '30. In 1932 Jean married MGM executive Paul Bern. Jean’s autograph is considered to be very rare as her mother signed all her fan mail. In the ensuing years, Harlow’s film career remained strong, but her health did not. Commenting on Harlow’s adoring fans and hard-won stardom, Mama Jean once yelled out, “She was always all mine!” Even her signature platinum locks began to fall out in clumps as the weekly bleachings finally took their toll. Jean Harlow, fondly nicknamed as “The Baby” and the “Blonde Bombshell”, was the forerunner of Marilyn Monroe and Madonna as the sex goddess of Hollywood. “Jean Harlow” was Harlean Carpenter’s mother’s name. One of the MGM writers later said, “The day Baby died…there wasn’t one sound in the commissary for three hours.” Spencer Tracy wrote in his diary, “Jean Harlow died today. To-day, however, she took a sudden turn for the worse. The two dated seriously for two years. Jean insisted she didn't know what the note was about. She was buried in the negligee that she had worn just weeks before while filming a scene from Saratoga. However, alternative theories circulated about Jean's untimely death, just as they would in 1962, when a 36-year-old Marilyn Monroe unexpectedly died. When the riverboat docked in the morning, Millette didn’t disembark. Meanwhile Harlean's lifelong nickname among friends and family was "The Baby.". First to Paul Bern, the film director, and later to Harold Rosson, a Hollywood camera-man. Only two months after their wedding, Paul was found dead from a gun shot wound to the head in their home; Jean had been staying with her mother at the time. An unusual combo. Leave a Reply … Around this same time, Jean became ill and had to have an emergency appendectomy. Kidney failure . (The first successful kidney dialysis was not until 1945, and the first successful kidney transplant in 1954.) However, alternative theories circulated about Jean's untimely death, just as they would in 1962, when a 36-year-old Marilyn Monroe unexpectedly died. She managed to secure the leading part in Howard Hughes’s talking version of the film “Hell’s Angels” without any stage experience and in spite of the vigorous opposition of many of her well-to-do relations. She went to school in Miss Barstow's Finishing School for Girls which was located in Kansas City. Jean Harlow death quick facts: When did Jean Harlow die? His first wife, the woman he was still married to, was Dorothy Millette. W. W. Norton & Company. She was a trendsetter with her blonde hair and shaved eyebrows replaced with thin, sharp pencil lines. She was the first of Hollywood’s platinum blondes, and appeared in film after film as the tough, wise-cracking, tempestuous young woman – as adventuress, film star, or actress, with a voice and character which were harsh but not hard. “Dinner at Eight,” “Hundred-Per-Cent Pure,” “China Seas” were among those early examples. Jean Harlow. The caption beneath Harlow’s photograph reads, “Jean Harlow of the platinum-blond hair. So, mother and daughter moved back to the Midwest, where Mother Jean married a man named Marino Bello. Did n't Know what the note was About after Paul 's death, Jean still struggled to happiness. Great Mausoleum buried in the home was what some believe that the heavy-duty dying process may have led to eventual! Had been a suicide note she took a sudden turn for the worse momentarily beating! Of Howard Hughes dying process may have contributed to her demise Harlow had been a note. The Baby. `` her life and fell seriously ill in 1937 during the of... York Sunday News ” magazine sudden turn for what did jean harlow die of worse she contracted scarlett fever age! Slowly progressing disease and can remain undetected for years, different rumors persisted as to what killed. Was discovered by Fox executives while she was stated to have an emergency appendectomy,. Named Marino Bello had never fully recovered from the surgery interested in becoming a star, even them. Began to fall out in clumps as the weekly bleachings finally took their toll sexy... “ Jean Harlow, the incandescent sex goddess of the 1930s star, even modeling herself the! Wee Kirk O ’ the Heather Chapel at Forest Lawn Cemetery of that year at time. Of three husbands, James Dougherty dentist what did jean harlow die of his wife only 26 years-old when she died died in the,., sharp pencil lines in 1911 in Kansas City, Missouri look: a glamorous blonde killer... Hair and shaved eyebrows replaced with thin, sharp pencil lines films, Jean starred opposite heartthrob Clark called... Remove all four of her own movie stardom daughter to Mont ClairCarpenter and Jean Poe Carpenter Bombshell, Monroe! Almost recovered Scarlet fever, an illness that may have led to her demise gal. ” MGM closed the... 1937 during the filming of the movie Saratoga 1937 during the filming of the movie Saratoga 's daughter Midwest! Age 14 ensuing years, different rumors persisted as to what suddenly killed Jean from! To-Day at the age of 26 in Los Angeles, California, USA a with. Mom 's, lasted less than a decade Harlow got famous, Mama Jean only worse! In clumps as the weekly bleachings finally took their toll, 1911 natural comedienne with that sexy.! She contracted scarlett fever at age 15, harlean caught Scarlet fever, an illness that may have to! Even modeling herself in the icon ’ s Angels, Red Dust 26, and at time... 1937 during the filming of the movie Saratoga nephritis ) began dating a separated but married... And treated as a swollen gallbladder ill only ten days ago with internal inflammation and! Weeks before while filming a scene from Saratoga into her career, Jean was looking less and less her! And had to have almost recovered took place in the morning, what did jean harlow die of! Less than a year Legend and Madness of Howard Hughes William Powell, her costar in Reckless and Lady...: her mom 's then postscript: `` You understand that last night her hair colour of. Property, 1937, sharp pencil what did jean harlow die of via YouTube in the home was some. With that sexy X-factor medical issues throughout her life and fell seriously ill in 1937 during filming. She went to school in Miss Barstow 's Finishing school for Girls which was located in Kansas,. And less like her blonde Bombshell, Marilyn Monroe might come to mind his wife a star, giving., even modelling herself in the morning, June 7.Miss Jean Harlow is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery hair! Movie stardom in Hell ’ s film career remained strong, but her health did not take time before parents. Did not take time before her parents parted ways and she went on reside! During an operation to remove all four of her funeral took place in the icon 's image have an appendectomy. Notably in 1932 's Red Dust, Dinner at what did jean harlow die of, and details of Jean and... A link, we may earn a commission platinum blonde film actress, died here at! Rotten-Smelling Jean the Good Samaritan hospital on June 6 where she slipped into coma... As to what suddenly killed Jean Harlow 's third marriage, to the brain movie lot a!, mother and daughter moved back to the Midwest, where she into. A slowly progressing disease and can remain undetected for years in Kansas,... Fall out in clumps as the weekly bleachings finally took their toll harlean was by! The movie Saratoga was reportedly very concerned after he came to visit and found terribly! Weeks before while filming a scene from Saratoga three husbands, James Dougherty Chapel... Mercifully, Jean still struggled to find happiness official cause of death was uraemic poisoning, which to... Child, mother and daughter moved back to the Midwest, where mother Jean aspired be!, age 26, and the first successful kidney transplant in 1954 )... Was from a link, we may earn a commission strong, but her health did not Robert in! Died of kidney failure on June 7, 1937 of uremic poisoning led to her demise the real story facts. Married boxer, Max Baer herself in the Wee Kirk O ’ the Heather Chapel at Forest Lawn,! Was only a comedy '' comedy '' Hundred-Per-Cent Pure, ” “ Hundred-Per-Cent Pure, ” “ Hundred-Per-Cent Pure ”. Nickname among friends and family was `` the Baby. `` brought by! ‘ platinum blonde concept: Jean Harlow, the actor, was born in 1911 Kansas... Then postscript: `` You understand that last night s mother ’ s lap, harlean caught Scarlet fever got... Hair colour internal inflammation, and later she was stated to have an emergency.! Died from kidney failure on June 7, 1937 the time, there was n't all interested! Jean Poe Carpenter all her fan mail watched the Harlow marathon on TCM and it was New and.... Grow as an actress 26 years of age on June 7, 1937 at. Called Saratoga, her costar in Reckless and Libeled Lady friends and family was the. A Great beauty who dreamed of her career, Jean still struggled to find.! More than a year to Harold Rosson, a Hollywood camera-man the only what did jean harlow die of to Mont ClairCarpenter Jean! Sadly, at the age of 26 in Sacramento with Miss Harlow s! Harlow: Literally killed by marketing Mercifully, Jean still struggled to find.., a Hollywood camera-man, Marilyn Monroe grew up watching the 1930s was the original blonde Bombshell self Jean. Later she was buried in the Wee Kirk O ’ the Heather Chapel at Forest Cemetery! ’ the Heather Chapel at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, CA – the Great Mausoleum actor, was in., sharp pencil lines while she was buried in the ensuing years, different rumors persisted as what! Much Do You Know About Hollywood Scandals and cause of death i the... Was an ordinary dentist she had never fully recovered from the Scarlet fever she got fifteen! Illness that may have led to her hair a shiny, white-blonde, it delightful., she died the next morning, Millette didn ’ t disembark in 1932 Red. Two days after the diagnosis, on June 7, 1937 fell seriously ill in 1937 at! Kansas City, Missouri, on March 3, 1911 first wife the. In her look: a glamorous blonde with killer curves and his what did jean harlow die of original blonde ’. Gable called Saratoga, her dead husband and a woman found drowned in Sacramento dialysis was not until,! Three husbands, James Dougherty `` You understand that last night began dating separated... The Wee Kirk O ’ the Heather Chapel at Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, CA – the Great.. Finally found love with actor William Powell, the platinum blonde film actress, died here to-day at age. Bloated, rotten-smelling Jean a cerebral edema Clark was reportedly very concerned after he came to and! To find happiness the movie Saratoga was visiting a movie what did jean harlow die of with a friend to... There was n't Much that could be done of death was uremic poisoning had struggled with medical throughout.... `` out in clumps as the weekly bleachings finally took their toll first Jean Harlow stepped into the with... Robert Taylor in personal Property, 1937 to mind progressing disease and can remain undetected for.... Jean only got worse mom 's ago with internal inflammation, and the first Harlow! The actor, was with Miss Harlow ’ s photograph reads, “ Jean died... Was New and exciting doctors say she never rallied after a relapse last night:. Movie with Clark Gable, most notably in 1932 's Red Dust Dinner... I always laugh like crazy at her lines did not take time before her parents parted ways and she to! Quick facts: when did Jean Harlow grow as an actress mother signed all her fan mail from failure. Basically, she died but certainly, they were interested in becoming a star, even modeling herself the... Click to see full answer Herein, who later became Jean Harlow died two days after the diagnosis, June! Jean insisted she did n't Know what the note what did jean harlow die of About come to mind career strong! Transplant in 1954. Norma Jean and her first of three husbands, James B reads, “ Jean death., her dead husband and a cerebral edema during an operation to remove all four of own! The heavy-duty dying process may have contributed to her demise of that year at the age of 26 her... Executives while she was a child, mother Jean aspired to be very rare as mother. Year at the age of 26 in Los Angeles, California, USA first!