Gail Russell

Her death was attributed to alcohol. She was also the orignally considered to play "Dorthey" on The Golden Girls (a role which later went to and made famous by Bea Arthur). She appeared in two more films after that, but was not able to control her addiction, and on August 26, 1961, Gail was found dead in her apartment in Los Angeles, California at the age of 36. She has made many cameo appearances in films, such as in Woody Allen's Small Time Crooks. She divorced Madison in 1954, and returned to work in a minor role in the western Seven Men From Now (1956), and had a bigger role in The Tattered Dress (1957). For the BBC she did the television series Two's Company with Donald Sinden. Over the next 10 years she tried to regain control of her life. In the 1970s, she moved to London with her husband, actor John Bay.

She continued working after 1947, and married Guy Madison in 1949, but by 1950 it was well known that she had become a victim of alcoholism, and Paramount did not renew her contract. In 2002, her one woman show, Elaine Stritch at Liberty won a Tony for Best Special Theatrical Event. Gail later appeared in the more popular films, Calcutta (1947) with Alan Ladd, and Angel and the Badman (1947) with John Wayne. Born in Detroit, Michigan, she is best known for her stage work, having been nominated four times for Tonies:. Gail appeared in several more films in the early and mid 1940s, the most notable being Our Hearts Were Young and Gay (1944), in which she co-starred with Diana Lynn. Elaine Stritch (born February 2, 1925) is a lanky American actress with a rough voice known for her brash, vocal characters. At the age of 19 she appeared in her first film, Henry Aldrich Gets Glamour (1943). Best Actress in a Play for A Delicate Balance, 1996.

Although she was shy and had no acting experience, Paramount had great expectations for her and employed an acting coach to work with her. Best Actress in a Musical for Company, 1971. Gail's extraordinary beauty brought her to the attention of Paramount Studios in 1942. Best Actress in a Musical for Sail Away, 1962. Gail Russell (September 21, 1924 - August 27, 1961) was an American actress. Best Featured Actress in a Play for Bus Stop, 1956.