Was diagnosed with brain cancer, allegedly the result of being exposed to dangerous radioactive toxins on location
in Utah while making The Conqueror (1956). All the leads John Wayne,
Agnes Moorehead, John Hoyt, Hayward and the director Dick Powell died of cancer.
The case is still a scandal.
Interred at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Carrollton, Georgia, USA.
She portrayed an alcoholic in three films, Smash-Up: The Storyof a Woman (1947), My
Foolish Heart (1949) and I'll Cry Tomorrow (1955) and was nominated for an
Oscar for each performance.
Her footprints at Grauman's Chinese Theatre are the only ones set in gold dust.
Her first marriage to actor Jess Barker was a stormy one and ended with a bitter custody battle of
her twin sons and a suicide attempt by Susan. Her second to rancher EatonChalkley was a long and happy one until he died suddenly of hepatitis nine years later. She left
Hollywood for five years in deep mourning, returning in 1971.
Took over the ballsy role of stage star Helen Lawson in Valley of the Dolls in
1967 after Judy Garland was fired.
Was one of many starlets in 1939 who auditioned for the part of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone
with the Wind (1939).
Measurements: 36 1/2-26-35 1/2 (as noted in "Hollywood Studio Magazine), (Source: Celebrity Sleuth magazine)
Replaced an ailing Barbara Stanwyck in Heat of Anger (1972) (TV), which was to
have been a pilot for a TV series to be called "Fitzgerald and Pride."
In Italy, almost all of her films were dubbed by either Lidia Simoneschi or
Rosetta Calavetta. She was occasionally dubbed by Dhia Cristiani.
Reportedly did not get on at all with Bette Davis during the filming of Where
Love Has Gone (1964).
Was the original choice to play Margo Channing in All About Eve (1950), but was
dropped from the project after being considered too young. The part was then given to Claudette
Colbert before being given to Bette Davis, who went on to receive a Best Actress
Oscar nomination for her performance.
Was born on the same day, and same place (Brooklyn N.Y) as singer Lena Horne.