Anne Benton was a talented actress who appeared in several TV shows and movies in the late 1950s and early 1960s. She is best known for her roles in Men Into Space, Checkmate, and Flaming Star. However, her career was cut short by a mental illness that plagued her for the rest of her life. What was the cause of death of Anne Benton, and what happened to her after she left the spotlight?
Early Life and Career
Anne Benton was born as Anne Christine Benson on October 29, 1932, in Albany, New York. She had a passion for acting since she was a little girl, and she played one of the ugly sisters in Cinderella at school. She attended Swarthmore College for two years, then transferred to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York. She had a small part in the Broadway play Witness for the Prosecution, which toured for a year. She also appeared in some off-Broadway productions and commercials.
She moved to Hollywood in 1958, where she changed her name to Anne Benton. She quickly landed some roles in TV shows such as Law of the Plainsman, The Twilight Zone, and The Untouchables. She also starred in a few movies, such as Flaming Star, where she played Elvis Presley’s love interest, and The Last Time I Saw Archie, where she played Robert Mitchum’s girlfriend. She was praised for her beauty and talent, and she seemed to have a bright future ahead of her.
Marriage and Mental Illness
In 1957, Anne Benton married Bernard McDonald, a TV producer and director. They had a son, Sean, in 1958. However, their marriage was not a happy one, and they divorced in 1966. Around the same time, Anne Benton started to show signs of schizophrenia, a severe mental disorder that affects how a person thinks, feels, and behaves. She became paranoid, delusional, and withdrawn. She stopped working and isolated herself from her friends and family. She also refused to take medication or seek professional help.
According to IMDb, her career ended due to her affliction with schizophrenia. She spent the next four decades of her life struggling with her illness, living in various places, and relying on the support of her son and some relatives. She never remarried or returned to acting. She also lost contact with most of her former colleagues and fans.
Death and Legacy
Anne Benton died on November 8, 2005, in Portland, Oregon, at the age of 73. The exact cause of her death is unknown, but it is likely that it was related to her long-term mental illness. She was buried in an undisclosed location, and her death was not widely reported by the media. She left behind her son, Sean, and a few other relatives.
Anne Benton was a promising actress who had a brief but memorable career in the entertainment industry. She worked with some of the biggest stars of her time, and she impressed the audiences with her charm and talent. However, she also suffered from a devastating mental illness that robbed her of her happiness and potential. She is remembered by her fans as a beautiful and talented star who deserved a better fate.
