It's All Hush-Hush In Hollywood
Over the years, Hollywood actors have found themselves in the headlines due to their mysterious fates—some of them so horrifying, they're unforgettable.
Thelma Todd
Thelma Todd was a blonde bombshell from the Golden Age who lost her life at the tragically young age of 29.
Found In Her Car
On December 16, 1935, the actress was found in her car—a victim of carbon monoxide poisoning. It seemed like an accident or as though she'd taken her own life, but her close friends raised red flags.
Harold Dean Carsey, Wikimedia Commons
She Had No Motive
You see, according to those closest to her, Thelma Todd didn't struggle with her mental health or have any motivation to hurt herself. They described her as a generally happy person. But that wasn't all.
University of Washington, Wikimedia Commons
It Seemed Tied To Her Affair
Todd's body had been discovered in another actress's garage—Jewel Carmen's. Even crazier? Todd had been sleeping with Carmen's husband, who was the director Roland West.
That said, many important questions went unanswered, and the whole incident was considered an accident.
Albert Witzel, Wikimedia Commons
Marilyn Monroe
The tragic demise of Marilyn Monroe continues to fascinate modern generations—and this has a lot to do with the conspiracy theories about that fateful night of August 4, 1962.
She Was Self-Destructive
Monroe undoubtedly had many demons and self-destructive behaviors; she'd always struggled with addiction and her mental health. According to reports, the famous blonde bombshell fatally overdosed on barbiturates. But not everyone believes this.
Studio publicity still, Wikimedia Commons
Some Suspect Foul Play
Some argue that Marilyn Monroe was the victim of foul play—and that she'd been taken out because of her connections to JFK and Robert Kennedy. Rumors of her affair with JFK abounded in Hollywood, and her famous rendition of "Happy Birthday" for the President in April 1962 has gone down in history.
The mystery surrounding Monroe's death has become an essential part of her legacy.
U.S. Embassy New Delhi, Flickr
Jean Spangler
Whatever happened to Jean Spangler? Well, we still don't know. Over 70 years ago, the actress mysteriously disappeared on October 7, 1949. She was last seen at a grocery store.
She Left Behind A Note
After Spangler vanished, her purse was found—and it contained a puzzling note. It mentioned someone named "Kirk," as well as the actress's plans to see a doctor. Many assumed this "Kirk" was Kirk Douglas, who she'd recently worked with on a film.
Her Case Is Still Open
According to the popular conspiracy theory, Jean Spangler had planned to see a doctor to end a pregnancy. Others think that Spangler had been linked to mobsters through her workplace. Today, she is still a missing person and her case remains open.
E!, E! Mysteries & Scandals, Jean Spangler (2000)
Virginia Rappe And Fatty Arbuckle
The scandal surrounding Virginia Rappe and Fatty Arbuckle was both puzzling and tragic. On September 5, 1921, Fatty Arbuckle hosted a party in hotel suite—and the actress Virginia Rappe was an attendee. It would end in horror.
Library of Congress, Wikimedia Commons
A Shocking Allegation
Another attendee at the party, Bambina Maude Delmont, claimed that Fatty Arbuckle had forced himself on Virginia Rappe during the party. Allegedly, this terrible encounter led to Rappe's demise just four days later when she succumbed to a ruptured blader and secondary peritonitis.
Internet Archive Book Images, Wikimedia Commons
Guilty In The Eyes Of The Public
The scandal that erupted threw Fatty Arbuckle into the spotlight—and though he was acquitted of all charges, his career never really recovered. The public still saw him as a guilty man.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
William Desmond Taylor
On February 2, 1922, the silent film director William Desmond Taylor was found deceased in his Los Angeles bungalow. But there was already trouble afoot.
Albert Witzel, Wikimedia Commons
The Crowd Destroyed The Evidence
Once Taylor's body had been found, a curious crowd contaminated any evidence before the authorities had even arrived. Weirder still, somebody came forward and claimed that Taylor had passed from a stomach hemorrhage. However, this couldn't have been further from the truth.
They Buried The Case
William Taylor Desmond had actually been shot in the back. This was undoubtedly a case of foul play. There were many in the industry with motive to end Taylor's life, but in the end, corruption prevailed. The case remained unsolved.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
George Reeves
2006's Hollywoodland attempted to tell the story of George Reeves's life and mysterious demise. During the 1950s, Reeves was the very first actor take on the role of Superman.
He Was Depressed
Sadly, on June 16th, 1959, Reeves took a bullet wound to the chest and passed. He had supposedly taken his own life. After all, the actor struggled with depression. He was never happy with the typecasting he experienced throughout his career, and he also had troubling finances. But some things just didn't add up.
The Details Are Murky
On the day he passed, Reeves had been hosting a small get-together. It seemed suspicious that everyone at the house hadn't called the authorities right away. There were also stray casings near Reeves's body.
So, who had the motive to take out the popular actor?
He Had A Scandalous Affair
Allegedly, Reeves had been sleeping with the wife of MGM executive, Eddie Manix. Some believe that it was Mannix who sought vengeance on his wife's lover, or at the very least, arranged to have him taken out. Of course, this is just a prevailing theory.
Associated Press, Wikimedia Commons
Natalie Wood
Perhaps one of the biggest Hollywood mysteries of all was the watery demise of Natalie Wood. On November 28, 1981, her body was found in a Catalina Island cove.
Allan warren, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
A Tumultuous Marriage
At the time of her drowning, Natalie Wood was married to Robert Wagner. Their relationship had gone through its ups and downs. After all, they'd divorced in 1957 only to remarry in 1972.
Press photo, Wikimedia Commons
Three Actors On A Yacht
The night before her body was discovered, Wood and Wagner had been spending time on a yacht with another actor—Christopher Walken.
A Tragic Accident
At first, the story seemed like a simple one. The authorities chalked it up to a tragic accident—one where Wood had fallen overboard while trying to ride a dinghy back to the dock. However, suspicious details began to surface.
Warner Bros., Wikimedia Commons
They Had Been Fighting
Apparently, on that fateful night, Wood and Wagner had had a pretty intense fight. Some believed that it had something to do with Christopher Walken. But that wasn't all.
Jack Mitchell, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
She Was Afraid Of Water
Natalie Wood had a strong fear of water. In fact, she'd feared water her entire life, which made it unlikely that she'd try to board a dinghy all by herself. Nothing seemed to add up...
Years later, the captain of the yacht came forward—and dropped a bombshell.
The Captain Changed His Original Story
Captain Dennis Davern wrote a book detailing the events leading up to Wood's demise—and it flew in the face of Wagner's account. Davern blamed Wagner. According to him, the actor hadn't properly looked for his wife when she disappeared.
It's no wonder that the LAPD reopened Natalie Wood's case in 2011.
Meribona, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Lana Turner
Lana Turner may have been a gorgeous and talented actress, but her taste in men led her down a dark road. Enter: Johnny Stompanato.
The Silver Screen, Wikimedia Commons
She Fell For The Wrong Guy
Turner messed up when she decided to get involved with Johnny Stompanato, who was linked to the gangster Mickey Cohen. Reportedly, Stompanato mistreated Turner terribly—but one domestic dispute took a horrifying turn.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Her Daughter Tried To Protect Her
Reportedly, Lana Turner's daughter Cheryl Crane took Stompanato's life in an effort to protect her mother. The court found that Crane's actions were justifiable, but the chilling incident sparked a conspiracy theory.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
The Public Didn't Trust Her
Apparently, the public wondered whether Lana Turner made her daughter take the fall for her own actions. Some wondered whether Turner was responsible for Stompanato's end.
Of course, only Cheryl Crane knows what actually happened—and she's sticking to her story.
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Albert Dekker
Albert Dekker was an actor and politician. On May 5, 1968, his fiancée made a horrifying discovery—Dekker's body in the bathroom. The chilling scene raised many questions.
Trailer screenshot, Wikimedia Commons
A Shocking Scene
Though authorities reported that Dekker had accidentally hung himself, not everyone believed that assumption. Dekker had been found in the bathtub wearing women's clothes with a blindfold on. He also had writing in lipstick all over his person and had been bound.
Republic Pictures, Wikimedia Commons
A Good Time Gone Wrong?
There were some missing items reported: surveillance equipment and cash. Some suspected foul play, but even Dekker's own son believed the tragedy was a result of an accident.
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