Hollywood Suicides: Peg Entwistle

Peg Entwistle was one of the many young people who have moved to Los Angeles, California with hopes of becoming rich and famous in the movie industry. Like so many others, she decided to end her life when she her dreams didn't come to fruition. What makes Peg Entwistle's suicide so memorable is the way she decided to take her life: by plunging to her death from the famous "Hollywood" sign, which originally read, "Hollywoodland".

Peg was born as Lillian Millicent Entwistle in 1908 in England. After the death of her mother, young Peg and her father moved to New York. Her father remarried and had two sons. Peg's father worked in small-time theater productions, but tragedy struck the Entwistle family again when her father was hit by a car in Park Avenue and died. Peg began working in theater and received accolades for her role in Hamlet. Peg eventually had roles in ten Broadway comedy and drama productions, including Sherlock Holmes in 1929. It was during Peg's time on Broadway that she met her husband, a fellow actor named Robert Keith. There were secrets kept during the marriage, like Peg not finding out that Robert had a son from a previous marriage until she saw a photo of the child at his mother's house. Some might know Robert's son, Brian Keith, who starred on the television program Family Affair. It was not long after Peg's discovery of her stepson that police came to the house during a dinner party about $1000 that Robert owed in child support. Peg was able to come up with the money, but the lies and fighting resulted in the couple's divorce.

During the Great Depression, Broadway suffered because many people couldn't afford tickets. Peg moved to California where talkies were becoming popular and many of the silent film stars weren't able to make the transition. She moved in with her Uncle Harold, who had taken in her two brothers. They lived in an area not far from the Hollywoodland sign. Peg found work in theater, but was beginning to become discouraged when the plays weren't running for very long. Peg signed a contract with RKO Studios and landed a supporting role as Hazel Clay Cousins in the movie Thirteen Women. The movie wasn't well-received by the critics and RKO held off on releasing it. When it finally came out, Peg was disappointed that her role had been cut down to nearly nothing. Auditions didn't produce any roles and RKO didn't renew her contract. Unable to afford to return to New York, she sank further into depression. On September 18, 1932 Peg said she was going out for a walk after drinking. She climbed her way up the hill and folded her coat, left along with her purse at the bottom of the "H" in the Hollywood sign. She climbed the maintenance ladder and jumped from the platform on the sign. At 24, she more than likely died instantly. When she and her belongings were found, police couldn't figure out who she was. The newspaper published her suicide note: "I am afraid I am a coward. I am sorry for everything. If I had done this a long time ago it would have saved a lot of pain..... P.E." Harold recognized the initials on the note and identified her body.

Not long after Peg's suicide, Harold opened a letter from the Beverly Hills Playhouse. They were offering Peg a starring role in a film about a girl who commits suicide.

Sources:
Imdb.com