Evelyn Keyes: Beyond Suellen O'Hara's Shadow
Evelyn Keyes, an iconic American film actress, carved out a significant, albeit often tumultuous, path in Hollywood's Golden Age. While she is perhaps most indelibly linked to her role as Suellen O'Hara in the cinematic masterpiece Gone With The Wind, her life story extends far beyond the confines of Tara's sprawling plantations. Her journey was one marked by remarkable talent, controversial beginnings, multiple high-profile marriages, and a resilience that saw her navigate the demanding world of film and pen her own compelling narratives.
From her early days as a chorus girl to her final curtain call at the age of 91, Evelyn Keyes embodied a complex blend of vulnerability and strength. Her career spanned decades, showcasing a versatility that allowed her to shine in a variety of genres, from dramatic classics to lighter comedic fare. Yet, it was her personal life, often laid bare in the tabloids and later in her own candid memoirs, that truly captivated and sometimes shocked the public, painting a picture of a woman who lived fully, embracing both the triumphs and the tribulations of fame.
The Early Life of Evelyn Keyes: Roots in Texas
Born Evelyn Louise Keyes on November 20, 1916, in Port Arthur, Texas, her formative years were shaped by both familial warmth and early tragedy. Her parents were Omar Dow Keyes and Maude Ollive Keyes. Notably, her mother was the daughter of a Methodist minister, suggesting a background rooted in traditional values, a stark contrast to some of the later narratives of Evelyn's life.
A profound shift occurred in young Evelyn's life when her father, Omar Keyes, passed away when she was just three years old. This early loss undoubtedly impacted her, leading to a significant relocation. Following her father's death, Evelyn moved with her mother to Atlanta, Georgia. There, they found solace and support living with her grandparents. This period in Atlanta, though perhaps challenging, placed her in the very heart of the American South, a setting that would later become synonymous with her most famous role, Suellen O'Hara.
From Chorus Girl to Hollywood Stardom: Evelyn Keyes's Ascent
The path to Hollywood for Evelyn Keyes was not a conventional one, nor was it without its controversial elements. By the age of 18, displaying an early flair for performance, she had already embarked on a career as a chorus girl. This experience on stage provided her with the foundational performance skills and exposure that would eventually catch the eye of one of Hollywood's most powerful figures.
Her journey to the silver screen began when she came out to Hollywood and was introduced to the legendary director and producer, Cecil B. DeMille. DeMille, known for his grand epics and keen eye for talent, quickly put Evelyn Keyes under contract. Her screen debut came in 1938, marking the official start of her film career. Initially, she appeared in a handful of B-movies at Paramount Pictures, gaining experience and honing her craft in smaller roles. However, it was a particular claim from her own memoirs that shed light on a darker side of her early ascent: she stated that she secured her initial roles by engaging in sexual relations with Cecil B. DeMille. This revelation, made public later in her life, painted a complex picture of the pressures and compromises faced by aspiring actresses in that era, adding another layer to the narrative of Evelyn Keyes's journey.
The Iconic Role: Suellen O'Hara in Gone With The Wind
Despite the challenging start, Evelyn Keyes soon landed the role that would define her career and ensure her place in cinematic history: Suellen O'Hara in the 1939 epic, Gone With The Wind. This role, as Scarlett O'Hara's younger sister, was her most notable and remains the one for which she is best known. The film, a monumental success, propelled its cast to international fame, and Evelyn Keyes was no exception. Her portrayal of Suellen, often overshadowed by Vivien Leigh's Scarlett, was nevertheless a crucial component of the film's intricate family dynamics, showcasing her ability to hold her own amidst a star-studded ensemble.
A Versatile Career Beyond Tara: Evelyn Keyes's Filmography
While Gone With The Wind remains her most recognized work, Evelyn Keyes was a remarkably versatile actress who appeared in a wide array of films throughout her career. Her talent extended beyond the dramatic confines of the Old South, allowing her to explore various genres and character types. She demonstrated an ability to adapt, moving seamlessly between different roles and showcasing a range that perhaps wasn't fully appreciated due to the shadow cast by her most famous part.
Among her other significant appearances, Evelyn Keyes played Martha Garth in the 1940 film Before I Hang, a testament to her early work post-Gone With The Wind. She also featured prominently in classics such as The Jolson Story, a highly successful musical biopic that further cemented her presence in Hollywood. Later in her career, she appeared in the iconic 1955 film The Seven Year Itch, sharing the screen with Marilyn Monroe. While her role in this film might have been smaller, being part of such a cultural phenomenon underscored her longevity and continued relevance in the industry.
Her filmography also includes earlier works like Lafitte the Pirate (1938), where she played Madeleine, demonstrating her involvement in cinema even before her breakthrough. Other mentions from her career include films where she starred alongside actors like Willard Parker, Larry Parks, and Edgar Buchanan. She also appeared in more obscure, yet intriguing, narratives such as a film where a character named Ben Dembrow changes his name to escape an outlaw family, indicating the breadth of projects Evelyn Keyes undertook throughout her active years in Hollywood.
Evelyn Keyes: A Personal Life Marred by Turbulence
Beyond the glamour of the silver screen, Evelyn Keyes led a personal life that was, by her own admission and public record, turbulent. Her journey was marked by a series of high-profile marriages and divorces, each contributing to a narrative of a woman constantly seeking connection and stability amidst the chaos of fame. This aspect of her life often garnered as much, if not more, attention than her cinematic achievements, offering a glimpse into the emotional complexities behind the Hollywood facade.
The Marriages of Evelyn Keyes
Evelyn Keyes was married four times, each union ending in divorce. These relationships connected her to some of the most influential figures in Hollywood and the arts:
- Barton Leon Bainbridge: Her first marriage was to Barton Leon Bainbridge, lasting from October 4, 1939, to July 19, 1940. This brief union occurred around the time of her breakthrough role in Gone With The Wind, perhaps highlighting the intense personal shifts happening in her life as her career soared.
- Charles Vidor: Her second husband was director Charles Vidor, whom she married on March 17, 1944. This marriage lasted just over a year, ending on May 19, 1945.
- John Huston: One of her most famous marriages was to the acclaimed director John Huston. They tied the knot on July 23, 1946, and their marriage lasted until February 10, 1950. Huston was a towering figure in cinema, and their relationship undoubtedly placed Evelyn Keyes at the center of Hollywood's creative elite.
- Artie Shaw: Her longest marriage was to the renowned bandleader Artie Shaw. They were married in 1957 and remained together until 1985, a remarkable duration compared to her previous unions. Shaw was a prominent figure in the music world, and their life together spanned nearly three decades, marking a significant period of stability in her personal life, despite its eventual dissolution.
These marriages, while providing companionship and sometimes notoriety, also contributed to the public perception of her "turbulent personal life," a phrase often used to describe the complexities of her romantic endeavors.
Personal Struggles and Motherhood
Beyond her marital history, Evelyn Keyes faced profound personal struggles that shaped her life. One particularly poignant detail from her life, revealed in her autobiography, was the experience of an illegal abortion shortly before filming began for Gone With The Wind. This traumatic event left her unable to have biological children, a deeply personal and often heartbreaking consequence.
Despite this, Evelyn Keyes did experience motherhood through adoption. She adopted a son, providing her with the joy and challenges of raising a child, a testament to her desire for a family life despite the physical limitations imposed by her past. This aspect of her life highlights her resilience and capacity for love, moving beyond personal hardship to embrace a different path to parenthood.
A Voice Beyond the Screen: Evelyn Keyes as an Author
Evelyn Keyes was not merely a captivating presence on screen; she also possessed a sharp wit and a compelling voice as a writer. She channeled her rich and often tumultuous experiences into two memoirs, providing invaluable firsthand accounts of her life in Hollywood and beyond. These autobiographical works offered readers an unfiltered glimpse into the realities of the film industry, the complexities of fame, and the personal cost of living a life in the public eye.
Her memoirs were more than just celebrity tell-alls; they were candid reflections on her Hollywood experiences, her relationships, and her personal struggles. Through her writing, Evelyn Keyes was able to reclaim her narrative, moving beyond the headlines and the roles she played to present her own perspective. She wrote about her life in general, including the controversial details of her early career and her multiple marriages, offering insights that only someone who had lived through it could provide. These books serve as significant historical documents, offering unique insights into the Golden Age of Hollywood from the perspective of one who lived and worked within its intricate web.
Later Years and Legacy: Evelyn Keyes's Enduring Impact
As the decades passed, Evelyn Keyes continued to maintain a presence, though less frequently on screen. She made appearances such as her 1977 TV interview with Hugh Downs, where she discussed her early life and experiences on Gone With The Wind, providing a retrospective look at her career for a new generation of viewers. Her later years saw her enjoying a period of retirement, settling in Montecito, California.
Evelyn Louise Keyes passed away at the age of 91 on July 4, 2008, in Montecito, California. Her death was attributed to uterine cancer. Despite her long and varied career, her legacy remains inextricably linked to her portrayal of Suellen O'Hara in Gone With The Wind. This iconic role, though not the lead, ensured her immortality in the annals of cinema. However, a comprehensive understanding of Evelyn Keyes reveals a woman who was much more than just a supporting character. She was a blonde actress of considerable talent, a resilient individual who navigated personal challenges with courage, and an author who dared to tell her own story, offering invaluable insights into a bygone era of Hollywood glamour and grit. Her fabulous photos and the details of her personal life, marriages, and retirement continue to fascinate and inform those interested in the true stories behind the silver screen.
Evelyn Keyes: Personal Data & Biodata
| Category | Detail |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Evelyn Louise Keyes |
| Born | November 20, 1916, Port Arthur, Texas, U.S. |
| Died | July 4, 2008 (aged 91), Montecito, California, U.S. |
| Cause of Death | Uterine Cancer |
| Occupation | Actress, Author |
| Spouses | Barton Leon Bainbridge (m. 1939; div. 1940) Charles Vidor (m. 1944; div. 1945) John Huston (m. 1946; div. 1950) Artie Shaw (m. 1957; div. 1985) |
| Children | 1 adopted son |
| Notable Role | Suellen O'Hara in Gone With The Wind (1939) |
| Memoirs | Two memoirs about her Hollywood experiences and life |
Evelyn Keyes's journey through life and Hollywood was a testament to her enduring spirit. From her early beginnings in Texas to her final days in California, she lived a life filled with dramatic highs and challenging lows. Her legacy, while often tied to a single iconic role, is truly much richer, encompassing her versatility as an actress, her candidness as an author, and her resilience as a woman navigating the complexities of fame and personal life. She remains a fascinating figure whose story continues to resonate, reminding us that behind every screen persona lies a multifaceted human being.
What are your thoughts on Evelyn Keyes's career and personal life? Do you have a favorite film of hers beyond Gone With The Wind? Share your insights in the comments below, and feel free to explore more of our articles on Hollywood's legendary figures.
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