Evening star., 1952-09-07
Gertrude Lawrence
Dies al 81 After Iona
Career as Stage Star
By the Associated Press

NEW YORK. Sept. 6.-Actress
Gertrude Lawrence. who swept to
international stardom in a real
life rags-to-riches story rivalling
any of her many stage roles, died
today.
Friends gave her age as 81.
Other sources listed it variously
from so to 81. A family spokes-
man said death was caused by
IAN acute disorder of the liver
Miss Lawrence, a trooper in the
stage tradition, fought off in
creasing pains for days last month
to continue her performances in
the current Broadway musical nit,
"The King and l."
wouldn't Give In"
She wouldn't give in," said her
husband. theatrical producer,
Richard Aldrich.
Finally, he said, he kept in
sisting until she agreed to take
a leave from her role after the
August is matinee and entered
New York Hospital.
There her illness was diagnosed
as yellow jaundice. Still, there
didn't seem to be cause for alarm.
Early today, however, her con-
dition took a rapid turn for the
worse. Shortly after z am. (EST) ;.
with her husband and two close
friends-Fanny and David Holtz-
man-at her bedside. she died.
A daughter by an earlier mar
riage, Pamela Gordon, an artist.
was reported flying here from
London for funeral services tenta-
lively set for Tuesday.
Noted for Versatility.
The English-born actress long
stage career was marked by al
versatility rarely seen in the
theater, and a success rarely
accorded anyone.
She sang, she danced, she played
light comedy, and she played
heavy drama. Everything she did
clicked with her audiences.
She wept with homesickness
when she first came to New York
in 1924-but her first night made
her a star here.
And forever after she was a |
success-she never had failure
on Broadway.
Forte Was Comedy.
While Miss Lawrence's forte was
comedy, there was almost nothing |
she couldn't do on the stage.
It was at the age of 2 that she
made her first theater appear /
ance. Her father, an interlocutor !
in a London minstrel, put her in
a lobby chair and told her to
smile. It helped to sell programs. |
Seven years later she made her
stage debut-with 40 other girls
IN a London pantomine. One of I
so boys in the show was Noel
Coward, and the impression she
made on him then lasted through
the years when Mr.. Coward was |,
writing plays for her.
Not long after that Miss /
Lawrence was understudy toll
Miss Lille. At that time Miss
Lawrence was chorus girl in one
of the Andre Chariot revues.
When Miss Lille fell from al
horse and broke her leg, Miss
Lawrence took over the lead sue
cessfully. But when the leg was
nended, Miss Lawrence returned
to the chorus line.
Earned $50 a Week.
After Miss Lille married and
left the show, her protege re-
turned to the spotlight role at six
pounds a week (about $50 at that
time).
Miss Lawrence's first New York
appearance in 1924 was in a
Chariot Revnue. She was some
thing more than nit singing
''Limehouse Blues" Then, dressed
In dazzling white dress, she sang
slightly naughty patter.
She danced with magical light
ness and her voice was true and
clear" said the critics.
After five years of musical
comedy. her first straight part
came in "Candlelight." AS charm
ing and decorative as ever" said
the critics.
Starred in Coward Play.
More than once she appeared
In plays with Miss Lille and Mr..
Coward. In 1880, the latter wrote
for her Private Lives" after
which critics called her the un-
disputed queen of the light comedy
stage.
In the winter of 1936-37 she
appeared in New York in Tonight |
at $780," a series of nine short
plays in which she ran the gamut
of emotions.
A bit earlier she had toured |
the country in Susan and God,"
and broke attendance records