Retro Blast: Ruth Gordon's Cause Of Death

Gordon moved to New York in the 1920s, and by the late 1920s, she was performing on Broadway. Her first notable stage success came in 1927 with 'The Piper', but her career on Broadway was marked by a string of character parts, often playing older, wiser women. Despite these early successes, she was often typecast, a situation that would persist throughout her career.

Her early film career was a series of modest roles, starting in the late 1930s. Her appearances in 'The Old Dark House' (1932) and 'Abe Lincoln in Illinois' (1940) were among her early Hollywood efforts, but she never reached the stardom she craved until much later in life. Gordon was known for her wit and sharp comedic edge, which was often overshadowed by the more dominant screen personalities of the time.

Though Ruth Gordon's early career in film did not bring her the recognition she deserved, she began to establish herself as a formidable character actress in the 1960s. It was in this period that her career took an unexpected but well-earned turn toward fame. She received critical acclaim for her role in 'Rosemary's Baby' (1968), directed by Roman Polanski, where she played the menacing yet quirky "Minnie Castevet." Her portrayal of the mysterious neighbor who conspires with her husband to facilitate the demonic possession of the titular character, "Rosemary Woodhouse," was nothing short of legendary. Gordon's ability to balance humor and menace made her one of the standout performances in the film, earning her an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress.

In 'Rosemary's Baby', Gordon captured the essence of maternal devotion and evil in one unforgettable package, making her one of the standout actresses of the late 1960s and early 1970s. This film solidified her place in Hollywood, but it also demonstrated that she had far more range than many of her earlier roles suggested.

However, Gordon was not just an actress. Throughout her life, she wrote both plays and screenplays, and in 1970, she co-wrote the screenplay for 'Inside Daisy Clover', a drama about the trials of a young starlet in Hollywood, which won her recognition as a talented writer. Gordon’s writing continued into her later years, but it was her Oscar-winning work in the film 'Harold and Maude' (1971), in which she starred as "Maude," that truly cemented her as an American treasure.

'Harold and Maude' is widely considered a cult classic. In it, Gordon portrayed an eccentric, free-spirited elderly woman who strikes up an unlikely and unconventional relationship with the young "Harold," a troubled young man who stages fake suicides for amusement. Gordon’s portrayal of "Maude" was both whimsical and profound, a personification of an uncompromising zest for life. Her character’s influence on Harold's transformation was nothing short of magical, and her performance remains one of her most celebrated.

The film, although initially not a commercial hit, would go on to become a beloved, offbeat comedy that resonated with later generations for its quirky characters and exploration of life and death. Gordon’s portrayal of "Maude" was emblematic of her unique ability to bring out the truth in her characters, no matter how eccentric or outlandish they appeared.

Ruth Gordon was married to playwright Garson Kanin, with whom she had a long and supportive partnership. They collaborated on several plays and films, including the popular 1940 comedy 'The Great Big Doorstep'. Kanin’s death in 1999 was a significant blow to Gordon, as they had shared both a personal and professional bond for much of their lives. Despite her own later years of success, Ruth Gordon was known to be somewhat of a recluse after his passing, but she continued to work, including a role in 'The Secret Garden' (1987), among others, into her advanced years.

Throughout her life, Gordon was known for her sharp wit, her warmth, and her ability to make every role her own. She was also deeply committed to her work as a writer, with a number of plays and memoirs published throughout her life. Her memoir 'My Side', published in 1976, became a highly regarded work, offering candid insights into her career and life in Hollywood. Gordon's legacy was not only as an actress but also as a writer, storyteller, and a fearless advocate for creative expression.

After decades of successful work, Ruth Gordon's health began to decline in the late 1980s. She passed away on August 28, 1985, at the age of 88, in Massachusetts. The cause of death was cancer, which she had been battling in her final years. Ruth Gordon’s passing was met with tributes from across the entertainment industry, who remembered her not only as a talented actress but also as a groundbreaking woman who defied the constraints placed on her throughout her career.