george reeves' death house

But unable to find work, perhaps George felt he had little choice but to return to a part that clearly caused him much anguish. George Reeves, 45, TV's indestructible "Man of Steel," Superman, was dead by his own hand and the flowing cloak would flow no more. The first half of the show was a Superman sketch in which Reeves and Neill performed with LeBell as a villain called "Mr. Kryptonite" who captured Lois Lane. To the left in the photo is a den. But this had no official status and could not overrule the coroner's verdict of suicide. Reeves's film career began in 1939 when he was cast as Stuart Tarleton (incorrectly listed in the film's credits as Brent Tarleton), one of Scarlett O'Hara's suitors in Gone with the Wind. Conversely, not everyone who is depressed about their career takes their own life. On June 16, 1959, Reeves died from a single gunshot wound in the bedroom of his Benedict Canyon home. Its a plane! George Reeves hit the television jackpot when he landed the dual role of Clark Kent/Superman in the television series The Adventures of Superman. The Superman cast members had restrictive contracts preventing them from taking other work that might interfere with the series. The night Superman died and an enduring mystery was born. The Day Superman Died, George Reeves Death House 6,369 views Feb 16, 2019 159 Dislike Share Save Michael Thompson's Hidden In Plain Sight 688 subscribers In this video I visit the house where. He Grew Up Thinking He Was Italian. If his death was suicide Reeves must have held the gun with his right hand, although this in itself is suspicious as the actor had injured his right hand in an automobile accident a few weeks prior to his death. Despite these suspicions, the Los Angeles Police Department officially ruled the death a suicide, on little more than a cursory investigation. George Reeves had a reasonably successful film career (including a small part in Gone with the Wind) when he took the role of Superman in Superman and the Mole Men, a feature film. (Reeves and Crane both dyed their hair red to portray the Tarleton twins.) George Reeves' Home. There was a real man behind the superhero, whose tragic early death will likely forever be a mystery. Although the power of the studios was waning by the 1950s, its possible Eddie Mannix still wielded enough influence to fix George Reeves at his wifes behest. Listen to 022 - The Suspicious Death of George Reeves . Nobody wanted me to work at all. It was then that Lemmons actions became truly strange. There were also bruises on Reeves head and body. Reeves, however, earned additional income from personal appearances. Amazingly, George Reeves shot part of a Kelloggs Corn Flakes commercial (the cereal company was the sponsor of Adventures of Superman) inside of his actual Benedict Canyon home. Reeves began acting and singing in high school and continued performing on stage as a student at Pasadena Junior College. This part directly led to his being contracted to Warner Brothers. He starred in a number of two-reel short subjects and appeared in several B-pictures, including two with future president of the United States Ronald Reagan and three with James Cagney (Torrid Zone, The Fighting 69th, and The Strawberry Blonde). While it's true that Reeves depressed at the time of his death, there were some inconsistencies at the crime scene that raised some red flags not only back then but still to this day. The subsequent police report seem to accept the whole story at face value. Why Anton Drexler Was More Responsible For The Nazi Party Than Adolf Hitler, The Gruesome Murders Of Andrei Chikatilo Russia's "Red Ripper", What Stephen Hawking Thinks Threatens Humankind The Most, 27 Raw Images Of When Punk Ruled New York, Join The All That's Interesting Weekly Dispatch, Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images, Reeves played opposite Vivien Leigh as one of the Tarleton twins in. Lemmon moved into his house, and they were to be married on June 18. It is located in a fairly modest area, even though the asking price in 1995 was $625,000. George Reeves died of a gunshot wound to his head in the upstairs bedroom at his home in Benedict Canyon. However, these were never investigated and Giesler strangely refused to work on the case any longer. Reeves was born five months into their marriage[9] and the couple separated soon after Reeves's birth. . Reeves, who took his acting career seriously and had parts in Gone with the Wind and From here to Eternity, always had mixed feelings about his fame as Superman. The windows above the living room are the windows to George's bedroom. The night of Reevess death, the actor was at home with his fiance Lenore Lemmon, along with the writer Robert Condon, who had been staying with them. Perhaps the toxic mixture of alcohol and painkillers had led to a fatal misjudgment? Reeves was dressed in one of his characters Clark Kent suits for the funeral, which took place two weeks later, on June 30th, 1959. He was 45 years old. They got home around 11 p.m. A couple hours later, Carol Van Ronkel and William Bliss stopped by for a drink. Henderson, Jan Alan, Speeding Bullet, M. Bifulco, 1999; Helen Roberta Lescher Brewer Bessolo (18921964) - Born in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, US. Reeves established his own production company and conceived a TV adventure series called Port of Entry, which would be shot on location in Hawaii and Mexico. [17] Reeves fit the rugged requirements of the roles, and, with his retentive memory for dialogue, he did well under rushed production conditions. The half-hour films were shot on tight schedules; at least two shows were made every six days. His body was later cremated and interred at the Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, which I blogged about during my Haunted Hollywood theme last year. [18] He was assigned to the U.S. Army Air Forces and performed in the USAAF's Broadway show Winged Victory. however to this day there is an air of mystery surrounding Reeves' death. The brown-shingled bungalow, which was built in 1947, boasts 2 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 1,717 square feet. However, a number of suspicious details about the case have long piqued the interest of gossip mongers and armchair detective alike. And then there were the bruising and other marks on Reevess body. Twentieth Century-Fox loaned him to producer Alexander Korda to co-star with Merle Oberon in Lydia,[17] a box-office failure, after which he freelanced, looking to find work in westerns. Historical Person Search Search Search Results Results George Azer Reeves (1914 - 1945) Try FREE for 14 days Try FREE for 14 days. >> George Reeves's death, and there are very interesting questions >> supporting the various theories. Hes going upstairs to shoot himself, began her callous recital after Reeves left the room. Upon hearing of George's demise, he went to the house and the . Cuando utilizas nuestros sitios y aplicaciones, usamos. Warners loaned him to producer Alexander Korda to co-star with Merle Oberon in Lydia, a box-office failure. After breaking up with his wife, Reeves had engaged in a three-year affair with actress Toni Mannix, who was married to a notorious fixer for MGM Studios. Following an investigation, officers of the Los Angeles Police Department ruled the death a suicide, likely prompted by Reeves' alleged depression over the fact that he was experiencing financial . U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records 19381946, dated March24, 1943, Speeding Bullet, 2nd Ed, by Jan Alan Henderson, p. 151. If it was Reeves that pulled the trigger then in all likelihood it was because he had had enough of his life, for whatever reason. Death Of George Reeves Source: Biography. As TVs original Superman, George Reeves was the ultimate hero to millions of children. All too often it is those closest to someone who takes their own life who can least understand it. Loved the commercial..how cool! While studying acting at the Pasadena Playhouse, Reeves met his future wife, Ellanora Needles. According to the autopsy report, Reeves had taken his .30 caliber German Luger pistol, placed it near his right temple and pulled the trigger. To the right is the den and through the living room to the left you find the stairs leading to the guest room and adjoining bathroom which overlook the street. There was no doubt that he had enjoyed a few libations that evening, but even drunk it stretches the imagination that someone would strip before committing suicide. Was Lemmon with Reeves when he shot himself? At the beginning of his life, George Reeves was a Midwesterner by birth but, as he grew older, he made his way out to California with his mother. The story told by those there that night is full of holes, the evidence perplexing and poorly handled. Coates was amongst many of Reeves friends and co-stars who did not believe he would have killed himself. Reeves returned to Hollywood in 1951 for a role in a Fritz Lang film, Rancho Notorious. The Mysterious Death of Superman George Reeves It wasn't Kryptonite that killed Superman. While Reeves may have been famous for being Superman, the role wasnt making him a whole lot of money. George Reeves may not be the first actor that springs to mind when you think of Superman, but the star's untimely death put him at the centre of a conspiracy theory malestrom.. Reeves was actually . Larson also thought the prospective return of the Adventures of Superman had filled the actor with dread, Anyone who thinks another season of Superman wouldn't depress George didn't know George, he said. He was working on creating a fulfilling career for himself. Director Allen Coulter Writer Paul Bernbaum Stars Adrien Brody Ben Affleck Diane Lane See production, box office & company info Watch on STARZ with Prime Video Channels More watch options Add to Watchlist Added by 25.7K users If they were fired earlier, then at the very least its evidence somebody in the house had a somewhat cavalier attitude to firearms. George Reeves was born George Keefer Brewer in Iowa in 1914five months into his parents' marriage. Other evidence that casts doubt on this scenario is the lack of burn marks on Reeves back. [13] The Bessolo marriage lasted 15 years, ending in divorce, with the couple separating while Reeves was away visiting relatives. Reeves mother refused to believe her son had killed himself and hired famous Hollywood lawyer Jerry Giesler to investigate further. George Reeves death home- Beverly Hills, CA - Infamous Crime Scenes on Waymarking.com. George Reeves' death was ruled a suicide, . And how had the fatal bullet ended up in the ceiling whilst the shell rested underneath his body? "Actress to Wed." Philadelphia Inquirer, September 18, 1940. The house where George lived is fairly modest for the area, but the asking price in 1995 was $625,000. Three bullet holes were found in the bedroom, all caused by the Luger that was found resting between the victim's legs. Following the path so many women have taken throughout Hollywood history, Reeves turned to directing, producing, and writing when he couldnt get the roles he wanted. The home has not changed much since the mid-fifties. The 2006 film Hollywoodland, starring Ben Affleck as Reeves and Adrien Brody as a fictional investigator loosely based on actual detective Milo Speriglio, dramatizes the investigation of Reeves' death. George Reeves' home in Benedict Canyon On June 16, 1959, Lenore Lemmon served dinner at around 6:30 p.m. at Reeves' Benedict Canyon home. Whilst highly speculative, some corroboration to this comes from Reeves own Lois Lane, actress Phyllis Coates. The story told by those there that night is full of holes, the evidence perplexing and poorly handled. At approximately 1:20 AM, Reeves excused himself, and went upstairs to bed. Reeves' will, dated 1956, bequeathed his entire estate to Toni Mannix, much to Lemmon's surprise and devastation. George Reeves Born George Keefer Brewer in Woolstock, Iowa in 1914, the boy who would become Superman moved around a lot. As more and more time passed between acting jobs paying less and less, Reeves was reduced to appearing in a low-budget serial produced by Sam Katzman, The Adventures of Sir Galahad, and taking a second job digging cesspools. After hearing a gunshot, they waited 45 minutes before calling the police. Many felt that Reeves was tired of being known as Superman, and that he killed himself out of anguish. Except for the second season, the Superman schedule was brief (13 shows shot two per week, a total of seven weeks out of a year), but all had a "30-day clause", which meant that the producers could demand their exclusive services for a new season on four weeks' notice. Around 1, two friends came by for a visit. She was absolutely terrified of going to hell", Lozzi told the LA Times. Tall and chisel jawed, Reeves was the perfect choice to play the all American hero in the syndicated television show the Adventures of Superman. In 1952, the struggling ABC Network purchased the show for national broadcast, which gave him greater visibility. Puedes cambiar tus opciones en cualquier momento haciendo clic en el enlace Panel de control de privacidad de nuestros sitios y aplicaciones. She also kept his shaving utensils and lotions, and even built an altar in the house with a crucifix, candles and an 11-by-14 photograph of Reeves. However, Reeves mother, Helen Bessolo, was convinced that her son had been murdered. He was getting work as a director, and he had agreed to do another season of Superman, in which he would also direct quite a few episodes of. On the night of his death the pair had gone for dinner with writer Richard Condon, who was staying with the couple whilst he worked on a biography of Archie Moore, the prizefighter Reeves had been due to fight in a celebrity boxing match later that year. They decided that he had not committed suicide. The home is currently a private residence but photos can be easily taken from the street. Due to their advanced state of inebriation the party guests were not entirely coherent, but they all seemed to agree on the suicide story. Location: California, United States Date Posted: 1/12/2010 6:55:33 PM So I figured this was the perfect time to do so and dragged the Grim Cheaper right on out there last weekend. On June 16, 1959, Reeves was found dead in his bedroom from a gunshot wound to the head. The death of the original Superman is one of those American mysteries that may never fully add up. And so, almost forty years later, we are left wondering. 2 min read. George Reeves was depressed and whilst entertaining guests at his home he he inexplicably left the room, placed a pistol to his right temple and pulled the trigger. Those windows overlook the backyard and there is a garage under the guest bedroom. I remember watching Superman on tv, George Reeves Kelloggs Corn Flakes CommercialFilmed in his Home, Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), I blogged about during my Haunted Hollywood theme last year, 1579 Benedict Canyon Drive in Beverly Hills. Look! Reeves would later recall the impact Sandrich's death had on his career. It was a minor role, but he and Fred Crane were in the film's opening scene. Photo Illustration by Luis G. Rendon/The Daily Beast/GettyThe death of the original Superman is one of those American mysteries that may never fully add up. However, it was obvious that many parts of the investigation were not performed as they should have been. Two additional bullets were discovered embedded in the bedroom floor. On 16 June 1959, George Reeves retired to his bed at 12, after going out for dinner with his fianc, Leonore. She had prepared the meal for Reeves and guest Robert Condon, a writer who was there to do an article on Reeves and his upcoming bout with Archie Moore. No charges were ever brought against anyone in connection to the case. The official verdict was that Reeves had committed suicide, the weight of his troubles having become too much for him to bear. CleverJourneys: American Crime Chronicles Two Los Angeles police officers arrived at 1579 Benedict Canyon at almost 3 a.m., June 16, 1959. Effectively living an open marriage, Eddie tolerated, even liked Reeves, and himself maintained a younger mistress. Reeves spoke out about these difficulties in a 1958 Evening Star article frankly titled No Work for Superman. When asked why he took the role, he said simply, I was hungry. But after six years, he was having a hard time pushing his career forward. The costume Reeves donned as Superman on TV. Reeves was extremely intoxicated when he died, and also pumped full of painkillers to treat the injuries he received in his recent car accident. Like so many men of his generation, the war derailed his life plans. In June of 1959, things started to look up for George. Perhaps fueled by a disbelief that the Man of Steel could ever take his own life, speculation and theories have abounded for more than 50 years that Lemmon, Mannix, her husband or even a hitman were responsible for the death of Superman. Reeves also enjoyed playing with an unloaded gun. Photo by ABC Photo Archives/ABC via Getty Images Phyllis Coates and George Reeves in The Adventures of Superman. . Further to this, a later search of the bedroom found two extra bullet holes. The argument had carried over back to the house, Lemmon apparently upset by the suspicion that Reeves had been talking to previous girlfriend Toni Mannix. Bud Collyer had voiced the Man of Steel on the radio from 1940 to 1951, and Kirk Alyn played the role in two 15-part movie serials that ended in 1950. [17] He was drafted in early 1943. How do we create a person's profile? Reeves and Leonore Lemmon. Reeves then apologized, and the group sat around talking. He starred in a number of two-reel short subjects and appeared in several B-pictures, including two with Ronald Reagan and three with James Cagney (Torrid Zone, The Fighting 69th, and The Strawberry Blonde). Lemmon and writer Robert Condon, who was staying at the house, were more than happy to entertain the group, but Reeves was already in bed and was not pleased by the ruckus downstairs. She continued, 'He's opening a drawer to get the gun.' Kent then rushed offstage to return as Superman, who came to the rescue and fought with the bad guy. Or perhaps Toni took matters into her own hands and simply had her husband cover it up. See, hes opening the drawer to get the gun. Lemmon claimed. He was able to play against type and starred as a villainous gold hunter in a Johnny Weismuller Jungle Jim film. Considering her temperament, it does not seem out of the question she may have started waving Reeves pistol about whilst having a drunken argument with her prospective husband. While he and Lemmon were supposed to get married only a few days after his death, Lemmon allegedly had soured on him after she realized the older Superman wasnt quite the loaded Hollywood player she thought he was. While the authorities officially declared Reeves' death to be a suicide, not everyone was willing to accept that conclusion. SUPERMAN MURDER SOLVED! Noel Neill was quoted as saying that the cast of Superman was ready to do a new series of the still-popular show. It may have seemed like an open and shut case: Man found upstairs, gun on the floor, a single bullet wound in his head. The stairs turn and continue upward to the bedroom where George slept. [31] However, Reeves and his partner failed to find financing, and the film was never made. If the Hollywood stories are to be believed, any death involving a girl and a gun is suspicious. Eddie was not happy when his wife wasnt happy. On the night of June 16, 1959, George Reeves was found dead in his bedroom from a gunshot wound to the head in his Benedict Canyon home, while his fiance Lemmon was downstairs hosting a party. If anyone could put the heat on Superman it was Eddie. Mannix, who had ties to the mob, had him whacked due to the affair. . [39] Despite the unanswered questions, Reeves' death was officially ruled a suicide, based on witness statements, physical evidence at the scene, and the autopsy report. George Reeves was born George Keefer Brewer in Woolstock, Iowa, the son of Don Brewer and Helen Lescher (his death certificate erroneously lists his birthplace as Kentucky). So when George Reeves spurned his long term mistress for a younger model, she did not take it lying down. George Bessolo Reeves lived in a modest house in Benedict Canyon in Los Angeles, California up until the time of his death on June 15, 1959. Reeves found himself unemployable. This includes accusations of murder directed at his fiance and ex-girlfriend. It was also widely believed that Toni, to whom Reeves bequeathed his entire estate, may have shot him in a jealous rage after hearing news of his engagement, or that her husband, E.J. [17], Released from his Warner contract, he signed a contract at Twentieth Century-Fox but was released after only a handful of films, one of which was the Charlie Chan movie Dead Men Tell. Contraversy continues. No one is entirely certain who was even at the house that night. Is there any truth in the persistent rumours that Reeves was murdered? In 1957, the producers considered a theatrical film Superman and the Secret Planet. The actors were poorly paid, and even after Reeves received a raise after trying and failing to leave the show after three seasons, he found himself struggling for money, unable to get the roles he really wanted, and taxed for time given the all-consuming nature of his Superman commitments. Many photos shown in various magazines in the past indicated that George's bedroom windows could be seen from the street. In the home of actor George Reeves, people frantically handed somebody else their martini glass and then tried to wake the naked couple in bed, though the police wouldn't be called for nearly an hour.Earlier that evening, Reeves and his fiance had gotten into an argument at a restaurant or two and, despite planning to wed in only four days' time, Reeves reportedly wanted . Its a bird! Advertisement. Quick Description: The actor George Reeves house where TV's "Superman," was found dead of a head gunshot wound on June 16, 1959. Not the comic book character, of course, but the man who personified the "real" Superman for an entire generation of television fans. These roles did little to advance Reeves's career, and his contract with Warners was dissolved by mutual consent. Character actor Ben Welden had acted with Reeves in the Warner Bros. days and frequently guest-starred on Superman.