Oscar-Winning Actress Patricia Neal Dead at 84

By PopEater / Wire Services Posted Aug 9th 2010 06:00AM

Actress Patricia Neal, who won an Academy Award for 1963's 'Hud' and then survived several strokes, died on Sunday. She was 84. Neal had lung cancer and died surrounded by her family at her home in Edgartown, Mass., on Martha's Vineyard. "She faced her final illness as she had all of the many trials she endured: with indomitable grace, good humor and a great deal of her self-described stubbornness," her family said in a statement.

Neal was already an award-winning Broadway actress when she won her Oscar for her role as a housekeeper to the Texas father (Melvyn Douglas) battling his selfish, amoral son (Paul Newman).

Less than two years later, she suffered a series of strokes in 1965 at age 39. Her struggle to once again walk and talk is regarded as epic in the annals of stroke rehabilitation. She returned to the screen to earn another Oscar nomination and three Emmy nominations.

The Patricia Neal Rehabilitation Center that helps people recover from strokes and spinal cord and brain injuries is named for her in Knoxville, where she grew up.

"She never forgot us after she went to Hollywood," said 85-year-old Bud Albers, who graduated with Neal from Knoxville High School in 1943, and still lives in the city. Whenever she was in town, a bunch of her friends would always get together and have dinner, Albers said. She had wanted to be there next week for a golf tournament that benefits the center, he said.

"She was so courageous," he said of her battling back from her illnesses and losing her 7-year-old daughter to measles in 1962. "She always fought back. She was very much an inspiration."

In her 1988 autobiography, 'As I Am,' she wrote, "Frequently my life has been likened to a Greek tragedy, and the actress in me cannot deny that comparison."

She had the female leads in the 1949 film version of Ayn Rand's novel 'The Fountainhead,' the classic 1951 science fiction film 'The Day the Earth Stood Still' and Elia Kazan's 1957 drama 'A Face in the Crowd.'

She made a grand return to the screen after her strokes in 1968, winning an Oscar nomination for her performance in 'The Subject Was Roses.'

In 1971, she played Olivia Walton in 'The Homecoming: A Christmas Story,' a made-for-TV film that served as the pilot for the CBS series "The Waltons." It brought her the first of her three Emmy nominations. "You can't give up," she said in a 1999 Associated Press interview. "You sure want to, sometimes."

In 1953, she married Roald Dahl, the British writer famed for "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory," "James and the Giant Peach" and other tales for children. They had five children. They divorced in 1983 after she learned he was having an affair with her best friend and he died in 1990.

Even before her illnesses, her life often was touched by misfortune. Besides her daughter's death, an infant son nearly died in 1960 when his carriage was struck by a taxi.

Neal also suffered a nervous breakdown, and had an ill-fated affair with Gary Cooper, who starred with her in 'The Fountainhead.' "I lived this secret life for several years. I was so ashamed," she told The New York Times in 1964.

The strokes at first paralyzed her and impaired her speech. After recovering, she limped and had bad vision in one eye. A 1991 biopic about her travails starred Glenda Jackson as Neal.Her family said her dedication to the rehab center and advocacy for stroke sufferers was a great source of hope for them and their families and a "constant inspiration to our family."

Among Neal's children is Tessa Dahl, who followed in her father's footsteps as a writer. Tessa Dahl's daughter is the model and writer Sophie Dahl.

The statement from Tessa, Theo, Ophelia and Lucy Dahl and others said that the night before her death, Neal told them, "I've had a lovely time."

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Comments

(107)

Monday 09 August

By Robert Leste

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Now I'm sorry I didn't say "hello" when I saw Patricia Neal in Conran's cafeteria, in Chelsea/London back in 1979. I loved her performance in "Hud," and admired her, but she was chatting with a friend, and I felt it would have been an intrusive, ('rude' as the Brits would say)to interrupt her lunch, so I ate my lunch, and moved on. Heartfelt condolances to her family, she was a great lady, and will be missed.

By cantuii

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this chick made a movie about HUD loans? LOL OKAY !

By judejaded

Every Sara Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Glen Beck fan should see her oppopsite Andy Griffith as Lonesome Rhodes in 'A Face In The Crowd'...not John Wayne. Learn something about american polictics, and corporatism, and see a gr8 actress at the same time.

By ARLENE ROXBURY

My condolences go out to the family of Patricia Neal. She was a wonderful actress. Also, Stephen Shearer, who did a biography just recently, my condolences go to you, as I know she was a good friend of yours. I read your book and enjoyed it immensly. Too bad, Patricia did not get to see your book on Hedy Lamarr which is due out soon. Most sincerely, Arlene Roxbury

Tuesday 10 August

By richard cook

A truly great actress. She was the quintessential working gorl in HUD and THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL

By jbsasktheape

Rest in peace

By LunnaTick

At least she was rich and most of her life was good. I'm still jealous.

By Trish

I admire this woman, not only did she survive having a stroke but the horrible marriage she endured with the despicable Ronald Dahl. He was heartless to her and caused her children to reject her. He was a cheater, which is surprising because he was ugly (but money buys anything).

By Jennifer

Such a loss!! What a courageous person and a fantastic actress!! Sorry to see you go--RIP

By Jensee

Today...my heart is truly a bit more broken from the loss of Patricia Neal. Heaven now has the brightest of stars shining down on us.

By lvconsiglerie

Patricia Neal's performance as Alma in Hud is legendary. I loved the scene where she offers to peel an orange for Paul Newman and remarks that Texas grows the best oranges, so why are the stores selling Florida oranges anyway...she shines throughout the movie as the mother figure to one son and the object of desire to the other. Paul Newman called it - she was the one that got away. A bold move for a woman in 1963. Her dignity, grace and natural acting abilities made it a joy to watch her. May she rest in peace.

By Dr. Beasley

Klaatu Borata Nikto

By Richard

When you look at some of the trash out there now called "Stars", you truly know we lost a great one.

By rquasha2

As a recovered benign brain tumor patient, Patricia Neal was an great inspiration to me. Rest in peace.

By Faye

A quietly sexy actress. no need to do anything to bring it out. it was natural. and above all, she could act. she was a strong personality on the screen as well as in life. I always loved her. rest in peace

By anna

34 years ago my 1st daughter was born, her name Patricia Neal! Just loved her! Rest in peace.

By Fannie

Amazing life and very magnetic woman. She really stands out in her movies. The book, As I Am is a wonderfully written autobiog I recently read. Beautiful pictures of her in there. RIP, Patricia.

By friendofdo

Is everyone going to leave out her breathtaking beauty? Yes, she was a brilliant actress and an extraordinary human being. But she was also one of the top ten most beautiful ladies to grace the stage and screen. Genuinely in a league with Garbo, Hepburn(s), Crawford, Bergman and Taylor. To watch her is to fall in love.

By Howard Camner

I had the honor to spend some time with Patricia in Alaska at the Albee Theatre Conference. She had a wonderful wit and was absolutely one of the greatest people I've ever known.

By Fay Harger

Many years ago my late Dad, who was a merchant sailor,had the pleasure of meeting Patricia Neal on one of the trans-Atlantic crossings. She graciously autographed a large photograph of herself, which he brought home to England for me. I've loved her ever since. R.I.P. Pat.

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