Suspicious Film Star Deaths: Murder or Suicide?

Curious Deaths of Marilyn Monroe, George Reeves, Jean Seberg

May 10, 2009

These three famous film star's deaths were presumed to be suicides, but were they?

The deaths of Marilyn Monroe, Georger Reeves, and Jean Seberg were all believed to be suicides. But they were surrounded by strange circumstances.

Marilyn Monroe (1926-1962)

Marilyn Monroe was born Norma Jean Mortenson, but went by her mother's name of Baker. After a bad childhood and a failed marriage, she tried her luck at Hollywood and rapidly became a sex symbol and icon. She appeared in films such as All about Eve, Bus Stop, and The Misfits. Inwardly insecure, she was said to be addicted to sleeping pills and alcohol.

Just after midnight on August 6, 1962, Marilyn's housekeeper became worried after seeing her still form through her lighted bedroom window. She phoned physician Dr. Greenson, who broke in to find Marilyn unconscious. Marilyn was lying naked, face-down on the bed, arm reaching for the telephone. An empty bottle of sleeping pills was by the bed and 10-14 more bottles were on the nightstand. Though the official verdict was a lethal overdose, questions concerning her romantic intrigues with the Kennedys, both John and Robert, led many to still believe her suicide was staged, the result of a secret conspiracy.

George Reeves-the Superman Mystery (1914-1959)

Handsome Iowa-born George Reeves started out with a promising movie career, but after a few roles it began to stagnate. He turned to TV work and won the role of Superman, which became a big success.

George was living in Los Angeles in a home that was bought for him by Toni Mannix, the wife of MGM studio executive Eddie Mannix, a man with dubious mob connections. Reeves had been receiving death threats. Three days before his marriage to showgirl Lenore Lemmon, the couple and a house guest were drinking. Around one, two neighbors also dropped in for drinks, which angered Reeves because it was late. He stormed up to his room and a few minutes later a shot sounded from the bedroom.

Reeves was discovered lying dead on his bed. No suicide note was found. Reeves was known to play Russian Roulette, and some believed the blank in his gun had been purposefully replaced with a real bullet. No charges were ever brought against anyone, but many suspected Toni had hired a hit man to kill him for the money he surprisingly left to her. The 2006 film Holywoodland was based on the mysterious case.

Actress Jean Seberg got her first big break in 1957 after winning the coveted role of St. Joan. The international star had attempted suicide several times before, once by trying to throw herself on train tracks. She was known to have a severe drug and alcohol problem. She even left a suicide note. So why was the verdict of suicide even questioned?

Jean’s decomposing, naked body was found lying on the back seat of her car. Though an autopsy determined she had overdosed on pills and alcohol, ex-huband Romain Gary insisted foul play. A suitcase found at Jean’s apartment held her driver’s license, (earlier reported missing), money and her eyeglasses. Though the alcohol level in her bloodstream was extremely high, no liquor bottles were found in her car. The mystery surrounding her death was never solved.

Parish, James. The Hollywood Book of Death: The Bizarre, Often Sordid, Passings of More than 125 American Movie and TV Idols. McGraw Hill, 2001.

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