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Tallulah Bankhead 1902 - 1968

Tallulah Bankhead of New York, New York County, NY was born on January 31, 1902 in Huntsville, Alabama USA, and died at age 66 years old on December 12, 1968 in New York, NY. Tallulah Bankhead was buried at St Paul's Kent 7579 Sandy Bottom Rd, in Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland United States.

Tallulah Bankhead

Tallulah Brockman Bankhead - at birth and death only.

New York, New York County, NY 10016

January 31, 1902

Huntsville, Alabama, USA

December 12, 1968

New York, New York, USA

Female

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Tallulah Bankhead Tallulah Bankhead (1902 - 1968)

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Tallulah Bankhead's History: 1902 - 1968

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Introduction

Tallulah Brockman Bankhead was born on January 31, 1902 in Huntsville, Alabama. Her father was a mover and shaker in the Democratic Party who served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from June 4, 1936, to September 16, 1940. Tallulah had been interested in acting and, at age 15, started her stage career in the local theater troupes of Huntsville and the surrounding areas. At age 16, she won a beauty contest and, bolstered by this achievement, moved to New York City to live with her aunt and to try her hand at Broadway. She was offered a role in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1920), but did not take it after she refused John Barrymore's invitation for a visit to the casting couch. Unfortunately, for the young Miss Bankhead, she did not make any headway on the stages of New York, so she pulled up stakes and moved to London, in 1923, to try her luck there. For the next several years, she was the most popular actress of London's famed West End, the British equivalent of Broadway. After starring in several well-received plays, she gained the attention of Paramount Pictures executives and returned to the United States to try her hand at the film world. Her first two films, Woman's Law (1927) and His House in Order (1928), did not exactly set the world on fire, so she returned to do more stage work. She tried film work again with Tarnished Lady (1931), where she played Nancy Courtney, a woman who marries for money but ultimately gets bored with her husband and leaves him, only to come back to him when he is broke. The critics gave it a mixed reception. Tallulah's personality did not shine on film as Paramount executives had hoped. She tried again with My Sin (1931) as a woman with a secret past about to marry into money. Later that year, she made The Cheat (1931), playing Elsa Carlyle, a woman who sold herself to a wealthy Oriental merchant who brands her like she was his own property and is subsequently murdered. The next year, she shot Thunder Below (1932), Faithless (1932), Make Me a Star (1932) (she had a cameo role along with several other Paramount stars) and Devil and the Deep (1932). The latter film was a star-studded affair that made money at the box-office due to the cast (Gary Cooper, Charles Laughton and newcomer Cary Grant). The films she was making just did not do her talent any justice, so it was back to Broadway--she did not make another film for 11 years. She toured nationally, performing in all but three states. She was also a big hit at social affairs, where she often shocked the staid members of that society with her "untraditional" behavior. She chain-smoked and enjoyed more than her share of Kentucky bourbon, and made it a "habit" to take her clothes off and chat in the nude. A friend and fellow actress remarked on one occasion, "Tallulah dear, why are you always taking your clothes off? You have such lovely frocks." She was also famous--or infamous--for throwing wild parties that would last for days. She returned to films in 1943 with a cameo in Stage Door Canteen (1943), but it was Lifeboat (1944) for director Alfred Hitchcock that put her back into the limelight. However, the limelight did not shine for long. After shooting A Royal Scandal (1945) she did not appear on film again until she landed a role in Die! Die! My Darling! (1965). Her film and small-screen work consisted of a few TV spots and the voice of the Sea Witch in the animated film The Daydreamer (1966), so she went back to the stage, which had always been first and foremost in her heart. To Tallulah, there was nothing like a live audience to perform for, because they, always, showed a lot of gratitude. On December 12, 1968, Tallulah Bankhead died at age 66 of pneumonia in her beloved New York City. While she made most of her fame on the stages of the world, the film industry and its history became richer because of her talent and her very colorful personality. Today her phrase, "Hello, Dahling" is known throughout the entertainment world. - IMDb Mini Biography By: Denny Jackson
01/31

1902

Birthday

January 31, 1902

Birthdate

Huntsville, Alabama USA

Birthplace

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Professional Career

A wonderful film star. Tallulah Bankhead BIRTH 31 Jan 1902 Huntsville, Madison County, Alabama, USA DEATH 12 Dec 1968 (aged 66) Manhattan, New York County (Manhattan), New York, USA BURIAL Saint Paul's Kent Churchyard Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland, USA Show Map PLOT Section A, Lot 94 MEMORIAL ID 52 · View Source Actress. Born to notable family in Huntsville, Alabama, her grandfather was United States Senator John Hollis Bankhead, and her father, William Brockman Bankhead, served as Speaker of the House of Representatives. Her uncle was United States Senator John Hollis Bankhead II and her aunt Marie Bankhead Owen became Director of the Alabama State Achieves, the first women to head a department of Alabama state government. Upon the early death of her mother, she was raised by her grandmother in Jasper, Alabama. Her break came after winning a beauty contest sponsored by "Picture Play" magazine and part of the prize was a bit part in a motion picture entitled "The Wishful Girl". She achieved stardom working in virtually every medium - stage, screen, radio and television. Tallulah Bankhead was one of the rare silent film stars that successfully made the transition to talkies, then radio and television. She was a fixture on Broadway. Her most notable "The Little Foxes" won her the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award and repeated with a second award for "The Skin of Our Teeth. Tallulah made only 18 movies and her career was spotty and included several box office disasters, 'Woman's Law', 'His House in Order', My Sin and her best movie Hitchcock's movie 'Lifeboat'. The final and 18th picture was 'Fanatic'. Radio in its hey-day saw Tallulah making many guest appearances on the Fred Allen Show and Duffy's Tavern. She became the MC of NBC's Radio's The Big Show a ninety minute parade of stars with the likes of Groucho Marx, Bob Hope, Judy Holiday, Jimmy Durante, Ethel Merman, Clifton Webb. With radio fading, Tallulah made a flurry of appearances on television variety shows and comedy specials. She appeared on the first episode of The Big Party, a CBS 90-minute live variety show. Her last television guest-shots were on the Andy Williams Show, The Merv Griffin Show followed by the Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and two episodes of Batman. They mainly wanted her for her raspy voice which was induced by a five pack a day habit. She portrayed the villainous Black Widow. This was a tough role for her to complete. The aging actress had developed chronic emphysema necessitating dragging an oxygen tank around where ever she went. Tallulah returned to her New York apartment where she contracted the Asian flu. She didn't respond to antibiotics and was placed in the hospital developing pneumonia and falling into a coma. Placed in intensive care she died at age 65. She was buried in St. Paul's Churchyard in Chesterton, Maryland without fanfare. A talented Actress, she diminished her legacy by outrageous and uninhibited behavior and acidic wit and the ruinous use of every type of drugs available. All these antics were a detriment to her considerable talents leading to dismissal from parts and passed over for others which were Academy Awards winners. She was the delight of the tabloid movie magazines and they had a field day with Tallulah. She charged her housekeeper with embezzlement which resulted in a national media circus. During the trial the housekeeper told of her employers cocaine, marijuana, booze, scotch and champagne consumption and that she had to learn to roll miss Bankhead's joints just so. To which Tallulah replied, "God, good help is so hard to find". She smoked over one hundred cigarettes per day, drank gin and bourbon as water and carried a suitcase-full of drugs to help her function. Although she could be very cruel and vindictive when crossed, there are many accounts of her kindness. Her generosity to those in need were well known. She had a great love for animals and children (She was foster parent to many underprivileged youngsters). Tallulah claimed to be broke most of her life. Secretly, she was a shrewd businesswoman and when she died, her estate was valued at $2 million dollars. Bio by: Donald Greyfield Family Members Parents Photo William Brockman Bankhead 1874–1940 Photo Adalaide Eugenia Sledge Bankhead 1880–1902 Spouse Photo John Edward Emery 1905–1964 (m. 1937) Siblings Photo Evelyn Eugenia Bankhead 1901–1979
Personal Life & Family

Spouse (1) John Emery (31 August 1937 - 13 June 1941) ( divorced) Trade Mark (3) Husky resonant voice Calls everyone dahling Flamboyant personality Considered one of the "Great Ladies" of 20th century Broadway, she also conquered other mediums - appearing on film, radio, and television. She is credited with helping Truman win the 1948 election by publicly castigating rival candidate Dewey. President Harry S. Truman claimed that her 1952 autobiography was the best book he had read since coming to the White House. Was an animal lover who collected assorted pets, including a pet lion named Winston Churchill, a myna bird named Gaylord, and a monkey named King Kong. An ardent supporter of civil rights, Bankhead was the first white woman to appear on the cover of Ebony magazine. She also appeared on the cover of TIME and LIFE. She was a member of a clique of lesbians and bisexuals in the Algonquin round table called the "Four Horseman of the Algonquin", consisting of her, Eva Le Gallienne, Blyth Daly, and Estelle Winwood. Sent to Catholic convent schools by her father in the hopes (unrealized) that she would learn to stay out of trouble. The screen credit for her role as the Black Widow on the television series "Batman" (1966) "Miss Tallulah Bankhead". She narrowly missed out getting the role of Scarlett O'Hara in Gone with the Wind (1939), which went to Vivien Leigh. In 1949, Procter and Gamble launched a radio advertising campaign for its Prell shampoo, using a jingle and the character "Tallulah the Tube". Miss Bankhead was so closely identified by her first name that she sued, eventually settling out of court. At a press conference once, she said, "I'm so glad to see there's a man here from the New York Times, because if I say 'goddammit', they will print it 'good heavens' or 'good gracious.'". She was said to be the inspiration for the character of Cruella De Vil in Walt Disney's 101 Dalmatians (1961). She was infamous for not wearing underwear. According to Hume Cronyn, during the filming of Lifeboat (1944) the crew complained about her flashing them when she had to climb a ladder to go into the mock-up of a lifeboat. When their objections to Bankhead's exhibitionism reached director Alfred Hitchcock, he reportedly quipped that he did not know if it was a matter for wardrobe or hairdressing. Originated the female lead in Clifford Odets "Clash by Night" on Broadway. The role was taken by Barbara Stanwyck in the movie Clash by Night. She also originated the Broadway lead in "Reflected Glory", which became a Joan Crawford vehicle, and "Dark Victory" and "The Little Foxes", both which became Bette Davis vehicles to her chagrin. A bisexual, she had a one-time affair with actress Hattie McDaniel, according to chronicler of the Hollywood underground Kenneth Anger, and a longer-term arrangement with singer Billie Holiday, according to Joe Lobenthal's "Tallulah! The Life and Times of a Leading Lady". Was nominated for Broadway's 1961 Tony Award as Best Actress (Dramatic) for "Midgie Purvis". Loved jazz music and was a mainstay at many popular jazz clubs in New York and Los Angeles. Her role as the Black Widow on the television series Batman (1966) is the last on-screen appearance she made. Her last coherent words were "Codeine... bourbon". She smoked 150 cigarettes a day. Was considered for the role of Margo Channing in All About Eve (1950) after Claudette Colbert dropped out due to a back injury before filming began. However, Bette Davis, who went on to receive a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her performance, was cast instead. Profiled in the book "Funny Ladies" by Stephen Silverman (1999). Her father was Speaker of the House of Representatives from 1936 to 1940. Was an avid baseball fan, especially of the New York Giants and Willie Mays. She was close friends with Zelda Fitzgerald and Estelle Winwood. Once told an interviewer that the reason she addressed everyone she saw as "Dahling" was because she was bad at remembering names. Irving Rapper said the actress's screen test for Amanda Wingfield in "The Glass Menagerie" was the greatest performance he had ever seen in his life. Jack Warner feared casting two alcoholics in the film (Errol Flynn had already been cast), and though Tallulah promised not to drink during filming, the role was given to Gertrude Lawrence, whose acting was panned by most critics. Was referenced in the 1958 song "Give Him the Ooh-La-La" by Blossom Dearie. Her mother died of complications of childbirth shortly after she was born. According to actress Hedy Lamarr, who met Tallulah, when the latter was doing stage in Vienna, in an interview, shortly before her own death, until the day she died, Tallulah had blamed herself for her mother's death. Evan Tallulah's father could not convince her otherwise. Named after the Tallulah Falls in Georgia. Father: William B. Bankhead; Mother: Adeline E. Sledge. Tennessee Williams wrote four characters for her: Myra Torrance in Battle of Angels, Blanche DuBois in A Streetcar Named Desire, Princess Kosmonopolis in Sweet Bird of Youth, and Flora Goforth in The Milk Train Doesn't Stop Here Anymore. According to friend Patsy Kelly, Bankhead used the monogram TBB because when she originally used TB, it was jokingly said to stand for "Total B****.".
12/12

1968

Death

December 12, 1968

Death date

Unknown
Cause of death

New York, New York USA
Death location

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Gravesite & Burial

mm/dd/yyyy
Funeral date
St Paul's Kent 7579 Sandy Bottom Rd, in Chestertown, Kent County, Maryland 21620, United States
Burial location
Obituary

OBITUARY MISS TALLULAH BANKHEAD The darling of the twenties with a devastating wit Miss Tallulah Bankhead the actress died in New York yesterday at the age of 65. With long, lank hair, a husky voice and a devastating wit, she was unique in her field — a personality as much as an actress. Miss Bankhead, who was outspoken in her likes and dislikes, was most noted for her stage performances in The Little Foxes, Private Lives and The Skin of our Teeth. Her comedy timing, haunted face with its drooping eyelids and her particular way of saying "dahling", provided impersonators with rich material and she was one of their favourite subjects. She made her first stage appearance at the age of 16 and from that time her career was a mixed bag of hits and misses. Among the latter was a flop production on Broadway of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra in which she appeared as the Egyptian queen. Years later, she delighted audiences of her popular radio and television shows by quoting reviews of her as Cleopatra. Her films included Alfred Hitchcock's Lifeboat, Tarnished Lady, Devil and the Deep and Royal Scandal in which she played Catherine the Great of Russia. Miss Bankhead, who came to Britain in the 20s and quickly became the "darling" of London society, started making cabaret appearances in the 1950s with her own brand of humour and glamour. Her outspokenness in her autobiography, published in 1952. led to at least one law suit The British publishers agreed in court to pay compensation to actress Olga Lindo because of Miss Bankhead's comments on that actress's performance as Sadie Thompson in Somerset Maugham's Rain. Maugham had turned down Miss Bankhead for the role of the s*** Sadie. In her autobiography Tallulah said she went home, put on Sadie's costume "gulped down 20 aspirins" and lay down after scribbling "It ain't gonna rain no more". The next day her friend Noel Coward telephoned to offer her a role in his play Fallen Angels, which was a big hit for her. Tallulah Bankhead was a Southerner: her father, William Brockman Bankhead was from Alabama, and her mother was a Viginian. Tallulah was born at Huntsville, Alabama, on January 31, 1903: her father was Democratic City Attorney for Huntsville and later Solicitor General for the judicial district, and in 1917 he was elected to Congress. That same year she won a beauty prize offered by a film magazine and in 1918 she played her first parts on the New York stage and in films. In 1922 she was recommended by Charles B. Cochran to Gerald du Maurier as a possible leading lady of a play due for production at Wyndham's in London. Du Maurier sent for her, then put her off, but she decided none the less to go to England: "You'll be offered a part because your hair is so beautiful", said her friend the British-born actress, Miss Estelle Winwood. Her hair was "tawny". Sure enough, when du Maurier saw her without a hat, he again changed his mind and she was engaged for The Dancers. In London she at once attracted a following of "gallery girls" which grew within two years into a feminine legion of Tallulah-fans. This was hard on her as an actress, for they did not support her when she gave her best performance in Sydney Howard's They Knew What They Wanted. They preferred her in The Gold Diggers, doing the Charleston and turning a cartwheel, or in The Garden of Eden and Her Cardboard Lover, semi-undressed. To prove there was more to her than all this, she appeared in The Lady of the Camellias in 1930, but her monotonous delivery of the lines betrayed her inexperience, and, having accepted a long-term offer from Paramount, she prepared to go home at the beginning of 1931. "Tallulah is always skating on thin ice; everyone wants to be there when it breaks", Mrs. Patrick Campbell had said of her, but the British ice had not broken. Anti-climax followed. She did not establish herself as a film star in Hollywood, and on returning to the theatre in New York had no luck till 1939, when Miss Lillian Hellman's The Little Foxes gave her the finest dramatic opportunity of her career. After this no one could again dismiss her as a lightweight or an exhibitionist. She earned a second award from the New York critics for her comedy work in 1942 in Thornton Wilder's The Skin of Our Teeth, the play described by Alexander Woolcott as the nearest thing to a great one the American theatre had yet evolved. She married in 1937 John Emery, the actor; the marriage was dissolved in 1940. Augustus John's portrait of her as a young woman was exhibited at the R.A. and is referred to in her autobiography. Tallulah, as her most valued possession.

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