Beverly Linet

One of our favorite actresses is Susan Hayward. Born Edythe Marrenner, Susan always felt like an outcast, growing up. She was hit by a car, when she was 7, that broke her hip. Her family did not believe in medical care, so she spent weeks in bed recuperating. It left her with one leg shorter than the other, and she was teased about this, and for having red hair and glasses. She moved to Manhattan to become an actress, but was not offered any parts.Undaunted, Susan began attending a drama school and slowly her career began to blossom. Susan had 2 children with Jess Barker, twin boys, Timothy and Gregory that became central in the couples divorce. Jess was awarded the boys weekends, Susan kept the house. Susan eventually re-married and moved to Georgia, but her acting roles became less and less frequent, until 1972. In 1972, Susan was diagnosed with a lung tumor that had metastasized. After a seizure in 1973, she was diagnosed with a brain tumor. She died in her home in Hollywood, at the age of 57, after a seizure. Her death was from brain cancer. This is an informative biography, that was a good read but for me, it was a slow hard read because of the extensive quotes. I would recommend it, however, it includes a great selection of photos.… (mais)

I've always been a big fan of Susan Hayward and was thrilled to come across this old biography recently. It begins with some background into her life as a young girl growing up in Brooklyn before moving on to the more exciting time she spent in Hollywood. She had a very tempestuous life with her husband Jess Barker which lead to their eventual divorce. Ultimately she achieves the success she has been searching for when she's nominated for an Academy Award for her role as an alcoholic in "Smash-Up". My personal favorite (and the one she eventually wins her Oscar for) will always be “I Want to Live” and I still watch that every few years. She had two children with Barker and eventually found happiness in her personal life with her marriage to Eaton Chalkley.

Susan Hayward was very private and the author does get an opportunity to include photos and interviews from people who have never spoken about their relationship to the actress. Sadly, Susan Hayward died at a very young 56 of brain cancer. Readers won't consider this a hard hitting tabloid like biography but I thought it was an enjoyable read. It makes me think it's time for a Susan Hayward marathon......
… (mais)