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Actress Lauren Bacall dies at 89

Actress Lauren Bacall has died at the age of 89. The star of Hollywood’s golden age passed away at her home on Tuesday of a suspected stroke. The news was...
Actress Lauren Bacall dies at 89

Actress Lauren Bacall has died at the age of 89. The star of Hollywood’s golden age passed away at her home on Tuesday of a suspected stroke.

The news was confirmed on twitter by former husband Humphrey Bogart’s estate.

 

(CNN) — Here is a look a the life of award winning actress Lauren Bacall

Personal: Birth date: September 16, 1924

Birth place: New York, New York

Birth name: Betty Joan Perske

Father: William Perske, a salesman

Mother: Natalie (Weinstein-Bacal) Perske

Marriages: Jason Robards (July 4, 1961-September 11, 1969, divorce); Humphrey Bogart (May 21, 1945-January 14, 1957, his death)

Children: with Jason Robards: Sam, 1961; with Humphrey Bogart: Stephen, 1949; Leslie, 1952

Education: American Academy of Dramatic Arts, New York, 1941

Other Facts: Winner of two Tony Awards. Winner of an honorary Oscar and nominated for one Academy Award. Nominated for three Emmy Awards.

Her last name, Bacall, comes from her mother’s maiden name, Weinstein-Bacal (with one “L”).

Lauren Bacall was discovered by Howard Hawks’ wife Slim on the March 1943 cover of Harper’s Bazaar.

Howard Hawks encouraged her to speak in a low voice for her screen test, and later gave her the name Lauren.

Her trademark since her film debut in 1944 has been her distinctive, husky voice.

Made five films with husband Humphrey Bogart: “To Have and Have Not” (1944), “The Big Sleep” (1946), “Dark Passage” (1947), “Key Largo” (1948), and both had uncredited roles in “Two Guys From Milwaukee” (1946).

Son Stephen is named after the character Bogart played in their first film together. And daughter Leslie is named after the actor Leslie Howard.

A famous photo features Bacall draped over a piano with then Vice-President Harry S. Truman at the keyboard.

She was engaged briefly to Frank Sinatra between marriages.

Timeline: Early 1940s – Supports herself by modeling and working as an usher on Broadway after leaving the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

March 16, 1942 – Broadway debut as Betty Bacall, in “Johnny 2X4,” a walk-on part in a play with 66 actors.

October 1944 – Her first film, “To Have and Have Not,” is released.

1970 – Winner, Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for “Applause.”

1980 – Her first autobiography, “Lauren Bacall: By Myself” wins the National Book Award.

1981 – Winner, Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical for “Woman of the Year.”

1997 – Receives the Kennedy Center Honors.

March 2005 – Her updated autobiography, “By Myself and Then Some” is published.

November 14, 2009 – Receives an honorary Oscar in recognition of her place in the golden age of motion pictures at the inaugural Governors Awards gala.

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