Keith Andes, a handsome actor who was Marilyn Monroe’s leading man in the 1952 film “Clash by Night,” has died at the age of 85.
Andes, who had suffered from bladder cancer and other ailments, was found dead Nov. 11 in his Santa Clarita home, said longtime friend Marshall LaPlante. The Los Angeles County Coroner’s Office ruled the death a suicide by asphyxiation.
Though Andes rarely discussed his career, his apartment walls displayed memorabilia including an album cover from “Wildcat,” the 1960 Broadway musical in which he starred with Lucille Ball. A framed note from her refers to the close quarters they shared on stage: “I ate onions, ha-ha, love, Lucy.”
Andes got his start in Hollywood when studio head Darryl F. Zanuck saw him perform as the understudy in the Broadway production of “Winged Victory” and offered him a small part in the 1944 film version.
From Herald news services
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
