George Sanders was a Russian-born English film and television actor, singer-songwriter, music composer, and author. Some Hollywood deaths are bizarre because of tragic circumstances. Others are bizarre because of unfortunate accidents. Sometimes, it’s a combination of the two. The death of George Sanders is a different story altogether. Born in Russia to British parents, George Henry Sanders’ family returned to England at the outbreak of the Russian Revolution. After attending college, Sanders made the move into acting. He appeared in several British films before making the trip to Hollywood in the mid-‘30s. Sanders’ suave manners and plummy speaking voice made him an instant go-to choice for directors seeking either a classy gent or a charming villain, and he appeared in a number of now-classic films including Rebecca, The Picture of Dorian Gray, and All About Eve, for which he won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor in 1950. Professionally successful, Sanders’ personal life was more checkered. He married multiple times, most of the time unhappily, and most famously to Hungarian sexpot Zsa Zsa Gabor. Sanders developed a drinking problem, and as he entered his 60s, his health began to deteriorate. Dogged by awareness of his increasing infirmity, enfeebled by a stroke, and losing his taste for life, Sanders checked into a hotel in Spain, where he overdosed on barbiturates—five bottles of them—and dashed off one of the most famous suicide notes in history: “Dear World, I am leaving you because I am bored. I feel I have lived long enough. I am leaving you with your worries in this sweet cesspool. Good luck.” A second note to his sister observed “Don’t be sad. I have only anticipated the inevitable by a few years.” A man who had four colorful wives, a successful Hollywood career, a bestselling autobiography, and an Academy Award dies from boredom? George Sanders either had the most bizarre Hollywood death of all. He died April 25, 1972 at the age of 65.
Be Your Own Boss-Learn How To Sell New & Used Items On Amazon & Ebay: just click here
