A detective examines the mysterious death of George Reeves, the star of the television series Adventures of Superman (1952). His passing even became the subject of the 2006 biographical docudrama Hollywoodland, in which Ben Affleck plays the Pasadena-bred television star. While Reeves may have been famous for being Superman, the role wasnt making him a whole lot of money. [1] [2] His death at age 45 from a gunshot remains controversial. However, it was obvious that many parts of the investigation were not performed as they should have been. Reeves was apparently scheduled to marry Lemmon on June 19 and then spend their honeymoon in Tijuana. The costume Reeves donned as Superman on TV. If the Hollywood stories are to be believed, any death involving a girl and a gun is suspicious. Witnesses in the house who behaved a little oddly but heard the whole thing. [1][2], His death at age 45 from a gunshot remains controversial. A script was commissioned from David Chantler, who had written many of the TV scripts. On June 16, 1959, actress Phyllis Coates was woken up around 4:30 a.m. by a very strange phone call. Hollywood was recovering from the war, but slowly, and Reeves wasnt the only actor trying to make up for lost time with renewed dedication to dreams that were still very much alive but suddenly even further out of reach. The following is taken from the official autopsy report: Exactly what happened that night was never fully resolved, due to varying drunken accounts. No charges were ever brought against anyone in connection to the case. 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. Her devastation at been rejected by her boy had pushed her to the ultimate reprisal. George Reeves (born George Keefer . Eddies exploits in covering up the sleazy underbelly of Hollywood were legendary. Quick Description: The actor George Reeves house where TV's "Superman," was found dead of a head gunshot wound on June 16, 1959. Many believe that the ghostly appearances by the actor lend credence to the idea that he was murdered. The actor had no burn marks on his hands or face - how had he shot himself in the head with a pistol without leaving powder burns? Was it true she was heard to say He is going to shoot himself, after Reeves had left the party to go back to bed? At around 2am that morning, two police officers arrived at 1579 Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, the house Reeves had been living at with his new fiance Leonore Lemmon during the previous few months. Michael Hayde firmly believes that George Reeves was murdered. George Reeves: The Death of Superman | The Unredacted Reeves initially had no autopsy and his body was swifted embalmed. Leonore Lemmon was, by all accounts, a bit of a hell-raiser. Was Superman star George Reeves a suicide or murder victim? Loved the commercial..how cool! George Reeves: The Strange, Lonely Death of TV's Superman Other evidence that casts doubt on this scenario is the lack of burn marks on Reeves back. Finally, a single shot rang out. Separated from his wife (their divorce became final in 1950), Reeves moved to New York City in 1949. Learn about George Reeves death and the true story behind the Hollywoodland movie starring Ben Affleck as TV's Superman. This is the house, and home, that Superman actor George Reeves lived 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. Hes going upstairs to shoot himself, she explained to the other guests, who then heard a sound from upstairs. A noise was heard upstairs. Inside the Mysterious Death of George Reeves, the Original Superman GREAT AMERICAN SCANDALS On June 16, 1959, George Reeves, who was the first to make the superhero an icon when he played. 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 He was contracted to Warner Brothers at the time, and the actor's professional name became "George Reeves" and his GWTW screen credit reflects the change. On 16 June 1959, George Reeves retired to his bed at 12, after going out for dinner with his fianc, Leonore. George Reeves Superman Death | Snopes.com The death of the original Superman is one of those American mysteries that may never fully add up. George Reeves | Unsolved Mysteries Wiki | Fandom Giesler called for a second autopsy. He served as national chairman for the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation in 1955. He was lucky to escape with head injuries that required him to take powerful painkillers right up until the night he died. gruesome and unsolved murder of the Black Dahlia. Mannix was devastated by the rejection, made all the more humiliating for the fact Reeves had moved Lemmon into a house in Los Angeles she owned. Faster than a speeding bullet! The main reason Reeves was said to have committed suicide was depression over his declining fortunes as an actor. The official finding was suicide, but some believe that he was murdered or the victim of an accidental shooting. 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. George Reeves - Turner Classic Movies 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. Separated from his wife (their divorce became final in 1950), Reeves moved to New York City in 1949. The year before Reeves death he abruptly ended his relationship with Mannix, leaving her for the younger New York socialite Leonore Lemmon. The police also found two gunshot holes in the carpet as well as the one in the ceiling that they traced to the wound in Reevess head, yet the witnesses claimed to have only heard one shot that night. His work on the show would earn him fame as the Original Superman, even though that wasnt technically true. Was the coroner's verdict right after all? Actors Alan Ladd and Gig Young were reportedly skeptical of the official determination. Who killed Superman? The sinister true story behind the death of George [13] The Bessolo marriage lasted 15 years, ending in divorce, with the couple separating while Reeves was away visiting relatives. His fears were not unfounded, as he had been out of work for two years by the time of his death in 1959. He died in June of 1959, not 1958. George Reeves' Home. [17] He was drafted in early 1943. George Reeves (born George Keefer Brewer in 1914) began his Hollywood career in a variety of bit parts in the late 1930s, including a small role in the epic film Gone with the Wind, and worked . The Iowa-born actor got his big break when he was hired to play one of Scarlett OHaras suitors in 1939s Gone with the Wind. After all these years, what happened that night at 1579 Benedict Canyon remains obscure and controversial. Superman actor George Reeves is beloved for his portrayal of the character, and this is an in-depth look back at his life and tragic death. But even more importantly, The Adventures of Superman was marketed mostly towards a younger audience. A shot was heard. Mannixs wife Toni Lanier, whom the actor had broken up with shorty before his death. Reeves was born five months into their marriage[9] and the couple separated soon after Reeves's birth. On June 16, 1959, Reeves was found dead in his bedroom from a gunshot wound to the head. NOT FASTER THAN A SPEEDING BULLET American Hauntings Perhaps he came a little too close to the truth. According to biographer Jim Beaver, Reeves did not know for several years that Bessolo was still alive. Newspapers and wire-service reports quoted LAPD Sergeant V.A. Info Share. Nobody wanted me to work at all. He had recently been involved in a serious affair with a married woman, Toni Mannix, before dumping her for his high-society fiancee, leaving Mannix devastated. This is however not the case as it it the guest bedroom that faces the street. Reeves was transferred to the Army Air Forces' First Motion Picture Unit, where he made training films. Those guests were neighbour Carol Van Ronkel, her lover Robert Condon, and another neighbour, William Bliss. 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. How he came to meet this grisly end is a story as disputed and controversial today as it was when the scandal rocked Hollywood at the height of the actor's fame. Reeves then apologized, and the group sat around talking. Shortly after their arrival, Reeves came downstairs to hang out with the group and then once again retired to his room at around 1:20. Mannix, who had ties to the mob, had him whacked due to the affair. The stairs turn and continue upward to the bedroom where George slept. As far as Reeves was concerned, one has to wonder if he had any regrets. Perhaps the toxic mixture of alcohol and painkillers had led to a fatal misjudgment? Were Hollywood's police force keeping a lid on the truth to protect Tinseltown from another scandal? Superman Actor George Reeves, His Life in His Own Words - Closer Weekly He performed on live television anthology programs, as well as on radio. . "According to Lemmon, the only people in the house that night, in addition to George and herself, were Carol Von Ronkle, William Bliss, and writer Robert Condon. However, Superman producers offered him a salary increase, and he returned to the series. As TVs original Superman, George Reeves was the ultimate hero to millions of children. She and Eddie had used his underworld connections to have Reeves killed. Toni, a former showgirl and starlet in the early talkies, married MGM studios enforcer Eddie Mannix in 1951. At around 1.20am, a bad tempered Reeves had admonished the trio for their noise, before returning upstairs. He appeared in a pair of outdoor thrillers with Ralph Byrd. [31] However, Reeves and his partner failed to find financing, and the film was never made. By mid 1959, contracts were signed, costumes refitted, and new teleplay writers assigned. However, friends and relatives think Reeves career troubles were exaggerated. If this was the case, then clearly he had not fired the gun himself, and another party was involved. He was 40 years old and wanted to quit and move on with his career. The people in the house were quite intoxicated and weren't much help to the investigation even waiting over 30 minutes before calling the police. Whatever the case may be, no charges were ever filed and Reeves death remains one of the most talked about Hollywood scandals to this day. June 16, 1959: George Reeves, Superman, Felled by Speeding Bullet This prevented long-term work on major films with long schedules, stage plays that might lead to a lengthy run, or any other series work.[24]. Your definitive source to filming locations and all things Hollywood! George Reeves (born George Keefer Brewer; January 5, 1914 - June 16, 1959) was an American actor. [17], However, Reeves was inspired by So Proudly We Hail! Conspiracy theories abound and Reeves death has remained the stuff of Hollywood legend for over five decades since. [17] Reeves appeared in five Hopalong Cassidy westerns before being cast as Lieutenant John Summers opposite Claudette Colbert in So Proudly We Hail! When George Reeves, who had achieved international fame by playing Superman for five years on TV, was found dead by gunshot in 1959, the death was officially recorded as a suicide. He was found dead in his bedroom at 1:59 a.m. on June 16, 1959 in his modest home in Los Angeles' Benedict Canyon. George Reeves from "Superman" had a mysterious death that saw him die from a single gunshot wound to the head. He had a string of B-list movies after that, and was slowly working his way up to leading man status when bombs dropped on Pearl Harbor. After all, it was she who had made the early morning phone call to Coates, before anyone outside of Reeves home could have known about his death. The . George Santos faces ethics investigation from special House committee Mobster Mickey Cohen once described Toni Mannix as the only person in Hollywood who had any balls. His relatives believed he was murdered, and disputed the official ruling of suicide. According to Condon, Lemmon was in an combative mood that night, and had made somewhat of a scene in the restaurant. Giesler had been paid a hefty sum, so why did he suddenly drop the case? But from another, the death of George Reeves looks a lot like murder. The Day Superman Died, George Reeves Death House - YouTube Despite the questions that remain to this day, no real investigation was ever mounted. Coates was amongst many of Reeves friends and co-stars who did not believe he would have killed himself. 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. [24] As for Port of Entry, Reeves was never able to gain financing for the project, and the show was never made. He left the bulk of his estate to Toni Mannix. . In their book Hollywood Kryptonite, Sam Kashner and Nancy Schoenberger make a case for the involvement of MGM vice president and fixer Eddie Mannix. Look! It was during this fallow period that he was approached about playing the role that would come to define his life. Two people who might have had strong motives were Toni and Eddie Mannix. Another rumor was that a car was heard speeding away from the house as well. George Reeves - Biography More adept with withering, foul mouthed put downs, violence was not really her style. Forty-five minutes later, the police were called. Warners loaned him to producer Alexander Korda to co-star with Merle Oberon in Lydia, a box-office failure. 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. When they returned home, they continued to kick back the alcohol until around 12:30 p.m., at which point Reeves retired to his bedroom. The issue was that Reeves eventually broke Tonis heart when he called it off to begin a relationship with the woman who would become his fiancee, Lenore Lemmon. He was able to play against type and starred as a villainous gold hunter in a Johnny Weismuller Jungle Jim film. 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. Inside the Mysterious Death of George Reeves, the Original Superman Henderson, Jan Alan, Speeding Bullet, M. Bifulco, 1999; Helen Roberta Lescher Brewer Bessolo (18921964) - Born in Galesburg, Knox County, Illinois, US. According to legend, the house at 1579 Benedict Canyon Drive in Los Angeles where actor George Reeves died of a gunshot wound to the head early in the morning of June 16, 1959 is haunted. Was his role to distract the house guests and facilitate the entry of a hitman to do away with Reeves? At around1 am, William Bliss and Carol Van Ronkel came by for an impromptu meeting. George Reeves Death, Hollywoodland Movie - Pics of Toni Mannix, Eddie [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. The house where actor George Reeves, TV's "Superman," was found dead of a gunshot wound on June 16, 1959. Over the years, occupants of the house have been plagued by not only the sound of a single gunshot that echoes in the darkness, but strange lights, and even the apparition of George Reeves [17] Warner changed his professional name to George Reeves. Copyright (c) 2023 Groundspeak, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Around 1, two friends came by for a visit. 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. Three shots were fired in the room: two on the floor and one in Reeves' head. Theyd take one look at me and say it was impossible.. The police had never checked Reeves fingers for residue to see if he pulled the trigger nor did they count the number of bullets remaining in the gun. Its a bird! He was also engaged to Leonore Lemmon, a New York showgirl. But not even Lane could have imagined that the dead boy was none other than Superman George Reeves himself. It is located in a fairly modest area, even though the asking price in 1995 was $625,000.