Amanda Blake biography: cause of death, spouse, children, early life, career highlights, and legacy
Are you a fan of old movies? The 50s provided entertaining films where gentlemen smiled while smoking, and ladies giggled joyfully while showcasing their modest dresses. Amanda Blake was one of the most famous actresses of that generation. She is known for her iconic role as Miss Kitty Russell in Gunsmoke. Amanda Blake's biography explores her life, career, and death.
Source: UGC
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Amanda Blake was an actress best known for her role as Miss Kitty Russell on the western TV series, Gunsmoke.
- Amanda was born as an only child, and hence had no sister or any known siblings
- She was of English and Scottish descent
Amanda Blake profile summary
| Full name | Beverly Louise Neill |
| Nickname | Miss Kitty Russell, Kitty, The Young Greer Garson |
| Date of birth | 20/02/1929 |
| Birthplace | Buffalo, New York, USA |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Actress |
| Active year | 1950-1989 |
| Net worth | $500 thousand |
| Eye colour | Blue |
| Hair colour | Blonde |
| Spouse | Don Whitman (m. 1954; div. 1955), Jason Day (m. 1964; div. 1967), Frank Gilbert (m. 1967; div. 1982), and Mark Spaeth (m. 1984; div. 1985) |
| Height | 5' 6" (1.68 m) |
| Body measurement | 37-25-37 inches |
| Education | Enrolled at Claremont High School and Pomona College |
| Horoscope | Pisces |
Amanda Blake's biography
Amanda Blake was a famous actress born Beverly Louise Neill on 20th February 1929 in Buffalo, New York, in the US. She was the daughter of Jesse Clayton Neill and Catherine Louise Puckett.
The American actress was born as the only child. The family moved to Claremont when Blake was still in high school. She later graduated from Claremont High, according to her IMDB profile.
Blake then enrolled at Pomona College, but since she was already involved avidly in community and theatre productions, she devoted much of her time to acting rather than school studies.
Source: Original
Amanda started as a telephone operator before moving to full-time acting. She began enrolling in stage plays. 1952 marked a significant milestone, as Beverly started working in Hollywood television and films.
Some of the movies she did at the time include Stars in my Crown, Miss Robin Crusoe, and Cattle Town. Her television roles included Split Playhouse of Stars, Cavalcade of America, and Four-Star Playhouse.
She did several more films and TV series, but due to her central role on TV shows, she got little time for films.
In 1971, Blake joined others in Phoenix, Arizona, to form the Arizona Animal Welfare League. The association is now the oldest and most famous "no-kill" animal shelter in Arizona. In 1976, Amanda hosted the first Annual "Sato" Mutt show.
Amanda Blake's spouse and the 4th husband, Frank Gilbert, supported her in raising cheetahs on their four-acre ranch. They would then send their cheetahs to zoos.
Amanda Blake's spouse
The stunning actress was married multiple times. After completing her studies, Blake got married to Don Whitman on 22 August 1954. Having shared a 2-year married life, the two divorced in 1956. However, they never cited the reason for their separation.
The screen sensation would tie the knot again with Jason Day in 1964, and after a three-year marriage, the relationship ended in 1967. Blake married her third husband, Frank Gilbert, in the same year she divorced her second husband. The marriage lasted longer, having been together for fifteen years, before divorcing in 1982.
The talented actress would get married to Mark Spaeth in 1984. However, her fourth and last husband also died of AIDS-related complications. Rumours have it that Blake was also in a relationship with James Arness. What’s surprising is that she never had any children despite being in those many relationships.
Why did Amanda Blake leave Gunsmoke?
For many, Gunsmoke was not just another TV western; it was an epic journey that thousands, if not millions, had followed for over two decades.
There was no denying that Glenn Strange, the actual cowboy-turned actor, had made a significant impact on his co-stars. Sadly, he died at the age of 74 due to lung cancer, two years before the end of the show. Kitty left Gunsmoke due to the death of Glenn.
The impact of his death was so significant that Blake, who played Miss Kitty, could not handle it and was written out of the show the following year.
Amanda Blake's cause of death
Source: UGC
There were controversies relating to the cause of death of the amazing actress. Her friends had reported that she died of cancer. However, her doctor disclosed that she died of AIDS-related complications. Amanda Blake died on 16 August 1989 at Mercy General Hospital, Sacramento, California, United States.
Dr Nishimura spoke after her friends were quoted on a television station saying her death was related to AIDS. The doctor said she had suffered from AIDS symptoms for a year, but he would not tell how she had contracted the disease. Miss Blake's death certificate, nevertheless, stated the immediate cause of death as CMV hepatitis and cardiopulmonary arrest due to liver failure.
In 1977, the once heavy smoker, Blake, went for surgery for oral cancer. She afterwards made an appearance on behalf of the American Cancer Society. Jerri Ewen, who was the Mercy General spokeswoman, had reported cancer as the cause of death at the request of Blake's close friends.
Ewen said she never saw the death certificate and that she reported what the friends and family wished. Her body was cremated.
Amanda Blake's net worth when she died
The beautiful actress earned an outstanding amount from her acting career. Having appeared in several movies and famous series, saw her pocket good cash. She was worth around $500,000 when she died.
How many children did Amanda Blake have?
Amanda had no children, according to IMDb. She was married five times, but never had any children with any of her spouses.
What nationality was Amanda Blake?
She was an American, born in Buffalo, New York, USA.
Trivia
- Amanda was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in 1968.
- She smoked 2-3 packs of cigarettes a day until being diagnosed with oral cancer in 1980.
- The late actress sold her residual rights to Gunsmoke for $100,000 in 1961.
- She worked as a telephone operator before making it in the show business.
- Her second husband, Jason Day, was an Arizona cattleman.
Amanda Blake's biography reveals that Louise found fame in Hollywood. She spent a third of her life in acting. Unfortunately, her private life was far less glamorous. However, the life of Amanda Blake is celebrated by many, especially those who had the privilege of watching her great movies.
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