Many have been interested in knowing Amanda Blake net worth. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. . Lili (1953) Year should not be greater than current year. Blake, who smoked up to two packs of cigarettes a day, had, back in 1977, had surgery to treat oral cancer. After sharing a two-year marital relationship, the duo divorced in 1956 without citing the reason behind their separation. Family members linked to this person will appear here. James Arness as Matt Dillon, Miss Kitty's true love, in 'Gunsmoke' in 1969 | Source: Getty Images. While living on a ranch at nearby Galt, California, she was admitted to Mercy General hospital in Sacramento where she died at the age of 60. 1982), and Mark Spaeth (m. 1984; div. Amanda Blake and Pat Derby at a PAWS Award event in 1988 | Source: Wikimedia. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Amanda made her exit from the series following its 19th season, and the show would be canceled only a year later.Contents of this video00:00 - Intro00:36 - Gunsmoke Couldnt Last Without Amanda Blake01:53 - Amanda Blakes True Passion Was Animal Rights03:38 - Amanda Blake Passed Away in 198904:07 - Amanda Blake Was Awarded by Ronald Reagan04:47 - How Did Amanda Blake Die?05:38 - Amanda Blake Didnt Die from Oral Cancer06:46 - How Did Amanda Blake Catch AIDS?07:33 - OutroAmanda Blake made her exit from Gunsmoke because she wanted to spend more time with her animals at her Arizona home. 1985), Enrolled at Claremont High School and Pomona College. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. With her third husband Frank Gilbert, Blake started an experimental breeding program for cheetahs, and successfully raised seven generations of the beautiful, but endangered animals. Her friend Pat Derby founded a wildlife shelter in her honor in 1997. What Shows Have Been Renewed or Canceled? Did you know that Gunsmokes Amanda Blake was a renowned animal-rights activist and that she helped establish numerous animal-rights foundations that are still doing incredible work today? Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. She appeared in A Star is Born and eventually Gunsmoke. Please reset your password. Everything looks idyllic, and it becomes difficult to stop admiring such movies. There are too many old movies you can choose. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. Please enter your email and password to sign in. The year 1952 marked a significant milestone, as Beverly started working in Hollywood television and films. Besides, Blake was involved in the animal welfare program and held lots of programs against animal killing, and spent a lot of money on cancer patients and the well-being of animals. Sadly, he died at the age of 74 due to lung cancer, two years before the coming to the end of the show. In 1984, she was the recipient of the society's annual Courage Award, which was presented to her by then U.S. President Ronald Reagan. Well, she lived a vibrant lifestyle when she was alive. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. They were some of the first to breed cheetahs successfully in captivity; they raised seven generations of cheetahs. Amanda Blake was a big animal lover over the course of her lifetime, and she took her love of animals farther than most. [citation needed] Blake married Frank Gilbert in 1967 and divorced him in 1982. Dr. Lou Nishimura, a Sacramento internist, said Monday that Miss Blake, who died at age 60 on Aug. 16, had throat cancer. It is much more likely that she was infected by Spaeth, than the other way around. After enduring oral cancer surgery in 1984, the American Cancer Society awarded her with its Courage Award which was presented to her in Washington, DC by President Reagan. CMV, or cytomegalo virus, hepatitis is AIDS-related, said Dr. Nishimura. Search instead in Creative? She arrived in Claremont, California during a move with her family. id: "beb5f82f-dce3-49e6-a836-cf24eb78a6f6", Amanda Blake will forever be remembered as Miss Kitty from the cult Western series "Gunsmoke," but her life was just as dramatic, and had a tragically unexpected ending. It was the longest marriage for the actress because it lasted 14 years. she died from an accidental overdose of sleeping pills at her home in Malibu, . In her will, Blake had left her $400,000 estate to PAWS, the Progressive Animal Welfare Society. Only three months after her death, a spokeswoman for Mercy General Hospital, Jerri Ewen, came forward to put the facts straight, reporting that she had indicated Blake's death as cancer at the request of close friends to the diseased. [9], After Gunsmoke, Blake went into semi-retirement at her home in Phoenix and took on few film or television projects. Photo: Amanda Blake's Smiling Face Source: Instagram (@tennbluebelle) Amanda Blake was an actress best known for her role as "Miss Kitty Russell" on a western TV series, Gunsmoke. Catherine Moore Kate" Barry (17521823), one of Amanda's ancestors, was a heroine of the American Revolutionary War. Her movies assured you of a great evening with your friends or a fine rest after a stressful working day. animal shelter in Arizona. She passed away on August 16, 1989, at Mercy General Hospital at age 60. A heavy chain-smoker, Amanda Blake was diagnosed with oral cancer in 1977 and had surgery for the same. Miss Blake, a longtime resident of the Sacramento area, had AIDS symptoms for about a year, Nishimura said. The talented actress would get married to Mark Spaeth in 1984. Blake reportedly was a one-time board member of the Humane Society of the United States. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. What you need to know, Meet the real-life partners of the cast of The Walking Dead, Alex Kompo: Former Siesta Key star's life and latest updates. Seeing as Blake was never sexually promiscuous nor used drugs, the revelation begged the question of where she would have contracted the virus. Add to your scrapbook. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Promotional shot of Amanda Blake as Miss Kitty in 'Gunsmoke,' circa 1967 | Source: Wikimedia. An article published in People in 1989 reported, "There was no recurrence of cancer," her physician, Dr. Lou Nishimura, said at the time. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. She was 60. Stars in My Crown (1950) (Drama, Family, Western) 3. Rumours have it that Blake was also in a relationship with James Arness. Click to reveal cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Amanda Blake (born Beverly Louise Neill, February 21, 1929[citation needed] August 16, 1989) was an American actress best known for the role of the red-haired saloon proprietress "Miss Kitty Russell" on the western television series Gunsmoke. Along with her fourth husband, Frank Gilbert, she ran one of the first successful programs for breeding cheetahs in captivity. Amanda Blake was a popular American actress best known for the role of the red-haired saloon proprietress "Miss Kitty Russell" on the western television series Gunsmoke. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. She did appear on a number of television shows, including a recurring comedy routine on The Red Skelton Show; as a celebrity on Hollywood Squares, Tattletales, and the 1970s revival of Match Game; and comedy appearances on the Dean Martin Celebrity Roast. The show didn't . Moreover, there is no information regarding Blakes children. Oops, we were unable to send the email. When Gunsmoke's Amanda Blake passed on at 60, it was extensively reported that she'd succumbed to cancer, but her friends and doctors knew more than they were letting on. The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. 296,669,475 stock photos, 360 panoramic images, vectors and videos, Share Alamy images with your team and customers. They thought she had the flu. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Amanda Blake's spouse and the 4th husband, Frank Gilbert, supported her in raising cheetahs on their four-acre ranch. [1] After the divorce from Whitman, she would go to the 'saloon set' of Gunsmoke. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. Search above to list available cemeteries. But what happened to her, is Amanda Blake still alive? The email does not appear to be a valid email address. She became a supporter of the American Cancer Society and made fundraising appearances throughout the country. is for general information purposes only. To the last day of her life, Blake was devoted to her mission: to save mistreated animals. This is a carousel with slides. Cloudflare Ray ID: 7c0d2dba7edb6997 Amanda Blake was born Beverly Louise Neill in Buffalo, New York,[1] the only child of Jesse and Louise (ne Puckett) Neill. Barbara Bain: husband, daughter, net worth, movies and TV shows. https://www.nytimes.com/1989/11/08/us/amanda-blake-died-of-aids-doctor-says.html. She was a heavy smoker and had surgery for oral cancer in 1977. Amanda Occasionally the digitization process introduces transcription errors or other problems; we are continuing to work to improve these archived versions. Weaver worried he'd never get away from the character. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. d.getElementById("contentad428986").appendChild(s); After getting separated from her third husband, Amanda got married to Mark Edward. Amanda was born as an only child, and hence had no sister or any known sibling. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. The surprising bit is that she never got any children despite being in those many relationships. does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. [5], Blake became best known for her 19-year stint as the saloon-keeper Miss Kitty on the television series Gunsmoke from 1955 to 1974. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. She was born in Buffalo, New York as Beverly Louise Neill, an only child. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Blake was a heavy cigarette smoker and had surgery for oral cancer in 1977. READ ALSO: David Silva bio: Wife, nationality, children, stats. Spaeth died in 1985 from pneumonia, at only 45, and when he was breathing his last, he opened up to the press, saying that Blake had infected him with the virus. Blake could have gotten the virus from her husband of less than a year. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. When she died in 1989, an official report from the Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, where she had been receiving treatment, said she'd died from cancer. Melanie Bright: 5 interesting facts about Lynette Nusbacher's ex-wife. Your IP: started on a full acting schedule, doing summer stock in New England. Her will specified that all her memorabilia be auctioned off with the proceeds going to the Performing Animals Welfare Society (PAWS). The actress has been gone for almost three decades now, but Blake's legacy lives on as the fiery Miss Kitty of the famous American classic. Blake concluded her Gunsmoke television show career with season 19 episode 24 - "The Disciple." Miss Kitty was replaced by Fran Ryan . As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Having shared a 2-year married life, the two divorced in 1956. AMANDA BLAKE'S FIFTH HUSBAND Blake's fifth husband, an Autin, Texas developer, Mark Spaeth, passed away in 1985 - 4 years before Blake - of AIDS. Blake had been living with her friend Pat and her husband on their ranch where they had a shelter for performing animals who had been abandoned when they became too old to perform. CBS' Gunsmoke (1955 to1975) was TV's longest running Western as well as its longest running prime-time series with continuing characters. 1955), Jason Day (m. 1964; div. [10] She had been known for bringing her pet lion, Kemo, onto the Gunsmoke set. var p = 'https:' == document.location.protocol ? If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. A Star Is Born (1954) (Musical, Drama, Romance) 2. Learn how and when to remove this template message, National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum, "7 things you never knew about the great Amanda Blake of Gunsmoke", "Amanda Blake's Lion Upsets 'Gunsmoke' Set", "AMANDA BLAKE, 60, WHO PLAYED MISS KITTY ON LONG-RUNNING 'GUNSMOKE' SERIES, DIES", The Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge, "Friendsand Her Doctorsay AIDS, Not Cancer, Killed Gunsmoke's Amanda Blake", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Amanda_Blake&oldid=1146028062, Articles needing additional references from July 2020, All articles needing additional references, Pages using infobox person with multiple spouses, Articles with unsourced statements from October 2022, Articles with unsourced statements from July 2020, Wikipedia articles needing clarification from August 2017, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Game show: one week/5 episodes with husband Frank, Episode: "Nouveau Gypsies", (final appearance), This page was last edited on 22 March 2023, at 10:20. The stunning redhead was to participate sporadically in films throughout her stint on "Gunsmoke," but did guest on several shows including "The Red Skelton Show," "Hollywood Squares," and "Match Game.". The life of Amanda Blake is celebrated by many, especially those who had a privilege to watch her great movies. Amanda Blake, the actress who played Miss Kitty on the long-running television series ''Gunsmoke,'' died of AIDS-related complications and not, as a hospital and her friends reported at the. This further contradicted the already mysterious maze. We have set your language to and then movies in Hollywood. Failed to delete memorial. Please try again later. However, she again divorced Frank in 1982. However, it was later revealed that the actress had passed away from something worse. Victoria Valentino: Everything you should know about Bill Cosby's accuser. While working as a telephone operator, she began doing bit parts for MGM which landed her a contract. 87.238.192.249 Advertisement. When Amanda Blake signed to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in the late 1940s, the studio believed she would be a star. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. In 1971 she joined with others in Phoenix, Arizona, to form the Arizona However, the actress's numerous exotic pets were only the tip of the iceberg when it came to her love of animals. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Meet Adelia Clooney, the Smartest of the Clooney Family According to Her Father, Anupama Nadella Is 'An Amazing Woman' Facts about Satya Nadella's Wife, Shane Gillis' Girlfriend Is Not a Feminist Facts about the Comedian's Dating History, Julie Andrews Misses Her Husband 'like Crazy' after Trying to Save Him from the 'Monster' of Self-Medication, Blake Shelton Fell for Miranda Lambert While Still Married They Divorced after He Met Gwen Stefani, Gwen Stefani Found True Love with Blake Shelton after She Faced Infidelity, her life was just as dramatic, and had a tragically unexpected ending. Amanda Blake, the actress who played Miss Kitty on the long-running television series ''Gunsmoke,'' died of AIDS-related complications and not, as a hospital and her friends reported at the time, of cancer, her doctor says. Arness peers over a collar of leis he received after he crossed the finish line first in the Multihull Transpacific Yacht Race, Sunday, July 15, 1968, in Honolulu. based on information from your browser. 464 Amanda Blake Photos Premium High Res Photos Browse 464 amanda blake photos photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. To preserve these articles as they originally appeared, The Times does not alter, edit or update them. Miss Blake's fifth husband, Mark Spaeth, a developer and City Councilman in Austin, Tex., died of pneumonia in 1985 at age 45. SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Amanda Blake, who played Miss Kitty in the long-running Gunsmoke television series, died of AIDS-related complications, not cancer as previously reported, her doctor said Monday. This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks. The five-time married actress was cremated without fanfare and her ashes were given to her family for disposition. She made a Love Boat appearance and was featured in a reunion of Gunsmoke characters in 1987, 'Return to Dodge,' the first of several Gunsmoke TV movies. [11], Blake joined with others in 1971 to form the Arizona Animal Welfare League, today the oldest and largest "no-kill" animal shelter in the state. She arrived in Claremont, California during a move with her family. Learn more about how you can collaborate with us. Amanda Blake quit 'Gunsmoke' before she was fired. Learn more about merges. Required fields are marked *. And in 1964 finally shed the limp and went from a sidekick to a leading man, in NBC's Kentucky Jones. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Dennis Weaver stayed with the show for nine years before he started chafing creatively. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. Spaeth was, however, widely known to have been a homosexual. Amanda Blake was an actress best known for her role as "Miss Kitty Russell" on a western TV series, Gunsmoke. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. 1967), Frank Gilbert (m. 1967; div. She enrolled at Pomona College but, due to her avid participation Blake's fifth husband, an Autin, Texas developer, Mark Spaeth, passed away in 1985 - 4 years before Blake - of AIDS. August 17, 1989 SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) _ Actress Amanda Blake, who as Miss Kitty reigned for 19 years as the queen of Dodge City's Long Branch Saloon in the TV series Gunsmoke, died after a long battle with cancer. Weve updated the security on the site. cb: (new Date()).getTime() Resend Activation Email. Learn how your comment data is processed. L-R: Actors James Arness, Milburn Stone, Amanda Blake, Ken Curtis and Burt Reynolds (seated). At the time, Miss Kitty's Longbranch Saloon was owned and operated by producer, director and cinematographer Virgil E. Hammond III. But Spaeth was known to be bisexual and moved in a circle of gay friends, and Blake's friends were quick to point out that the actress was neither promiscuous nor a drug user. Try again later. After a few menial movie appearances, she landed the role at age 26 that would make her a household name for the next 20 years, Miss Kathleen "Kitty" Russell. Before his death, he penned a letter that expressed his deep feelings for her, his fans, and his family. In 1968, Blake was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City. Amanda Blake was born in Buffalo, NY, of English and Scottish descent. On August 16, 1989, Blake died of liver failure brought on by viral hepatitis at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, California. Production paid Blake a lump sum of $100,000 for the rights. Blake passed away on August 16, 1989, at the Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, California. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The actress also helped established numerous animal-rights foundations that are still around today.Sadly, Amanda Blake ended up dying at the age of 60. to acting than her schoolwork. Amanda became an avid American Cancer Society spokesperson highlighting the evils of smoking which resulted in the annual Courage Award from the Society presented to her by then President Ronald Reagan. Sacramento, Sacramento County, California, USA. After completing her studies, Blake was married to her first spouse, Don Whitman on 22nd August 1954. She didnt share any children with her partner. The stunning American actress, Amanda Blake was best known for her roles in the classic western series Gunsmoke as Miss Kitty. Inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers of the National Dr Nishimura spoke after her friends were quoted on a television station saying her death was related to AIDS. She was a heavy smoker and had surgery for oral cancer in 1977. Her close friends insisted that she was not a drug user or sexually promiscuous. The actor did a few films before becoming Miss Kitty. Color broadcasts began in 1966. Miss Blake died Wednesday night at Mercy General Hospital, said hospital spokeswoman Jerri Ewen. All content, including text, and images contained on. However, her fourth and last husband also died of AIDS-related complications. People of all ages love movies. Blake left the world forever at the Mercy General Hospital of California. Derby says she loved taking care of the unwanted performing animals, adding that they'd noticed her being a bit frail but had absolutely no idea what was ailing her. teens when she debuted in MGM"s, - IMDb Mini Biography By: Bill Hafker thehuntzie@yahoo.com (qv;s & corrections by A. Nonymous). April 27, 1985 'Miss Kitty's' husband files for divorce AUSTIN, Texas -- The husband of actress Amanda Blake, longtime star of the 'Gunsmoke' television series, filed for divorce on the eve. Are you sure that you want to delete this flower? In 1977, the once a heavy smoker Blake went for surgery for oral cancer. Amanda "Miss Kitty" Blake on a scene in the movie | Source: YouTube/ Most Actor and Actress Hollywood. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Jerri Ewen, who was the Mercy General spokeswoman, had reported cancer as the cause of death at the request of Blake's close friends. In 1989, Amanda Blake passed away at Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, California. Real life photo of the Long Branch Saloon taken in 1870 | Source: Wikimedia. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. Death In 1977, this actress had surgery for oral cancer. Even though Blake had been married 5 times, she had no children, and her aunt and cousins had expected to inherit. The doctor said she had suffered from AIDS symptoms for a year, but he would not tell how she had contracted the disease. It is so lovely when all family members meet to watch a good old film. Amanda started as a telephone operator before moving to full time acting. After the divorce, Blake tied the knot with her second spouse, Jason Dayin 1964. "Technically she died of liver failure brought on by viral hepatitis, which was AIDS-related.". Miss Blake's death certificate, nevertheless, stated the immediate cause of death as CMV hepatitis and cardiopulmonary arrest due to liver failure. Amanda Blake was everyone's favorite actress on the TV series "Gunsmoke." When she died in 1989, an official report from the Mercy General Hospital in Sacramento, where she had been receiving treatment, said she'd died from cancer. Spaeth had claimed before he died that Blake had infected him after returning from a trip to Africa. From United Press International. With her fierce loyalty, Louise found fame in Hollywood. Amanda Blake Movies 1. Amanda had married multiple times and never gave birth to any kids. Her close friends have insisted that she was not a drug user or sexually promiscuous, and that she may have acquired the disease from a former husband.[14]. On February 27, 1974, Blake brought a lion named Kemo on to the Gunsmoke set.[6]. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. They would then send their cheetahs to zoos. A system error has occurred. 'GUNSMOKE,' Dennis Weaver, Amanda Blake, 1955-1975 / Everett Collection. s.src = p + "://api.content-ad.net/Scripts/widget2.aspx?" Celebritys Net worth, Biography, Sports, Health, Technology, & Entertainment. 671 Amanda Blake Photos and Premium High Res Pictures - Getty Images CREATIVE EDITORIAL VIDEO All Sports Entertainment News Archival Browse 671 amanda blake photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more photos and images. A close friend Pat Derby disclosed that Blake, after finding out she had AIDS, had moved to Derby's 20-acre preserve. Amanda Blake was born on February 20, 1929, in Buffalo, New York, in the United States of America to Jesse Neill and Louise Neill. GREAT NEWS! The marriage lasted longer, having been together for fifteen years, before divorcing in 1982. This account has been disabled. After completing her studies, Blake got married to Don Whitman on 22 August 1954. She was born in New York City and attended Pomona College before she started acting. Miss Kitty of the television series, Gunsmoke, Amanda Blake died on August 16, 1989, at the age of 60. Of course, Blake might have netted an even bigger . Back in 1961, the actor took home a massive payday in exchange for selling her residual rights to the show. She then enrolled at Pomona College, but since she was already involved avidly in community and theatre productions, she devoted much of her time on acting than the schoolwork. Your email address will not be published. To use this feature, use a newer browser. She became a supporter of the American Cancer Society and made fundraising appearances throughout the country. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. Some popular media later reported that she died of AIDS as claimed by Blake's doctor. The screen sensation would tie the knot again with Jason Day in 1964, and after a three-year marriage, the relationship came to an end in 1967. In 1976, Amanda hosted the first Annual "Sato" Mutt show. exitPopMobile: true, TimesMachine is an exclusive benefit for home delivery and digital subscribers. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial.