The Suicide of Lou Tellegen

I have an unnatural attraction to tragic Hollywood stories. Fortunately for me, Hollywood has plenty of them. There is Peg Entwistle, the 24 year old starlet who, distraught over lack of work, jumped to her death from the famed Hollywood sign. There is Clara Blandick, who played beloved Auntie Em in The Wizard of Oz. Racked with pain from severe arthritis and going blind, she attended church, set out her favorite memorabilia around her room, dressed in a gown, took an overdose of pills, and to make sure the job would be completed, tied a plastic bag over her head.

Then, there is Lou Tellegen. I just happened upon Lou's story when visiting Hollywood. My husband bought me a book ("This is Hollywood" by Ken Schessler) which listed Lou's tragic story on page 10.

Lou was born in Holland in 1881, where he started his career on the stages of Amsterdam. By 1909, he had become the toast of Paris. He and Sarah Bernhardt, reported to be his lover even though she was 37 years his senior, toured North America in 1910.

Part of Lou's success was his handsome looks. That face helped land him parts in 26 silent movies during the Twenties. But, fame can be fleeting and the Talkies ruined many a silent career. By the Thirties, Lou's career was all but over.

By 1934, Lou was ill. He had been diagnosed with cancer and his handsome face - his moneymaker - had been badly burned. He was deep in debt, even after claiming bankruptcy. For Lou, there was only one way out.

While staying at the Cudahy mansion near the famous intersection of Hollywood and Vine, Lou prepared for the end. He walked into the bathroom and stared in the mirror as he shaved and powdered his face. Then, he took a pair of gold scissors (which had his name engraved on them) and stabbed himself in the heart seven times.

Even death in such a horrid way would not bring any sympathy for Lou. Married four times, his wife at the time of his death, Eve Casanova, was in New York and rather than return for his funeral, merely sent her regrets. His third wife, opera star Geraldine Farrar, when told about his death, said, "Why should that interest me?" All in all, only 37 family and friends showed up for the funeral of a man that at one time had millions of fans worldwide.