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Peg EntwistleActress who became famous after committing suicide
Date of Birth: 05.02.1908
Country:  USA |
Content:
Life and Career
Peg Entwistle, born Millicent Lilian Entwistle, was born in 1908 in Port Talbot, Wales. Her early childhood was spent in London, where she moved with her parents, Robert Simms and his wife Emily Entwistle. Peg's biography is somewhat confusing, making it difficult to piece together her life story. Despite her mother's repeated claims that her husband had died, it seems that he was actually alive and remarried. It was later discovered through Robert's will that he referred to Emily as his "first wife." It is unclear whether he ever completely abandoned his daughter. Regardless, Millicent grew up and moved to the United States, possibly with her father and his second wife. Robert only passed away in 1922, after which Millicent, along with her two half-brothers, moved in with their uncle, who was a theater manager on Broadway.
From a young age, Millicent dreamed of becoming an actress, and after her uncle secured her a role in one of the plays, she became infatuated with the stage and theater. Peg Entwistle's theatrical career did not start off particularly glamorous, but she still managed to secure roles. She appeared in about ten plays and, like many theater actresses, began dreaming of transitioning into film. In 1927, Peg married actor Robert Keith, but their union was short-lived, and they soon divorced. Peg accused her husband of cruelty and deception, as he had failed to disclose that he was previously married and had a six-year-old son. Despite this setback, Peg continued to perform on stage, receiving enthusiastic praise from the audience, even if theater critics were more reserved. By the end of the 1920s, Peg had become a bona fide star on Broadway, enjoying immense popularity and a devoted following.
Move to Los Angeles and Tragic End
In 1932, Peg bid farewell to Broadway and New York City and headed to Los Angeles. She joined the Belasco Theatre Company in the heart of Hollywood. However, this was a challenging time for the country, as the Great Depression had left people with little disposable income for entertainment, resulting in a decline in theater attendance and actor earnings.
Peg struggled to make ends meet, and she couldn't even afford to return to the seemingly more prosperous New York. She managed to secure a small role in a film, but her scenes were drastically cut during editing, a blow to her pride. In the end, Peg couldn't bear it any longer. On September 16, 1932, she left a note stating that she was going to visit friends and set off in an unknown direction. A few days later, her purse was found near a police station, containing a suicide note. An unidentified woman called to report finding a young woman's body in a ravine beneath the famous 'HOLLYWOOD' sign.
The police investigation revealed that Peg had jumped from the legendary sign, specifically from the framework of the letter 'H.' In her note, Peg wrote, "I am afraid I am a coward. I am sorry for everything. If I had done this a long time ago, it would have saved a lot of pain. P.E." The autopsy showed no traces of alcohol or drugs in her system. Peg's uncle identified her body, and the date of death was recorded as the day her body was discovered, although she likely jumped a couple of days earlier.
Posthumous Fame
Ironically, Peg Entwistle became truly famous only after her death. The story of the actress leaping from the iconic sign is still told in Hollywood and its surroundings. Her name, which previously meant little to anyone, suddenly became known through media coverage of her tragic end.
