Elizabeth Hartman…My Hero. Please read!!
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cappyqq7 — 19 years ago(June 24, 2006 01:17 AM)
I liked the quirky part she played in You're a Big
Boy Now, probably not a film a lot of people have seen, but a good film. And, I guess her most famous role
and perhaps best, Patch of Blue.
It's not all that uncommon for actresses of minor
importance or little success to commit suicide,
yet she was a fair5b4ly well known star, and surely a
success story of films. It is very unusual for one
of Ms. Hartman's stature to do this sort of thing.
The ones that come to mind that come close were
not really suicides, but two actresses who were having troubles going from child star to adult, and died either of drugs or depression-related stuff. I'm thinking of Anissa Jones and Dana Plato. Both were
well-known, and both died way too soon.
Still, they didn't exactly kill themselves on purpose, either. I just can't think of anyone else in the
business, an actress, with that degree of fame
and success, killing herself. Her inner demons, whatever they were, must've been very real to her
and it's very sad. I miss her. She was a good one.
Bruce -
mpetko64 — 13 years ago(October 02, 2012 09:57 PM)
MANY ACTORS SUFFER FROM MENTAL ILLNESS AND DEPRESSION. ALAN LADD16d0 TOOK HIS OWN LIFE. GENE TIERNEY AND FRANCIS FARMER(HAD A LOBOTOMY) WERE BOTH PUT IN MENTAL
INSTITUTIONS,JUST TO NAME A FEW.ITS A TOUGH WAY TO MAKE A EASY BUCK. -
mfotheringham — 19 years ago(May 22, 2006 07:21 AM)
Wow-I thought I was the only person in the world to also make that connection
with her. She was so brilliant in a "A Patch of Blue"-in fact, I just
watched it again just yesterday and cried. I realize now that you can't act
or "fake" that kind of sensitivity and vulnerability-I think it really does
have to come from your core and in her case it obviously did. People who
knew her said that she truly was as fragile and vulnerable in real life as
she appeared so many times on the scree5b4n. She had continuing depression
that just got worse and worse and finally totally interferred with her career.
She hadn't worked for 5 years before taking her life. You never really
know what's inside a person-even if they seem to have it all. Why does
it seem all the good ones go so young (I don't mean to sound melodramatic,
but we really have lost so many, so young. Life is just unpredictable.
I am grateful for this website where I can share and relate these
feelings with others who feel like she was almost family, even though
none of us had actually met her-that just shows the power of her
impact as a person!!! -
normmark-1 — 19 years ago(November 30, 2006 10:58 PM)
I just wanted to write and thank you for your lovely song to the beautiful and sorely missed Elizabeth Hartman. It's so touching to see how many people she truly affected. Your lyrics are truly moving and I agree with your friend. You are giving her a gift, as all of us who have been deeply touched by her, by caring her in our hearts!
Lynn -
redsmith7 — 18 years ago(June 14, 2007 11:45 PM)
I do not see myself as a "Fan" though I do enjoy a well made movie.
I came across "A Patch of Blue", like most.. at an early age. I favored Sidney Poitier as an actor because he was my only role model of what a black man was supposed to be. You see I am Bi-Racial.
By that movie I found myself keeping a copy of it at all times. It has the power to bring out the noble side of us all. A side of innocence and chivalry.
Traits rarely found in this day and age.
Tonight, I re-watched it on my laptop. And vowed to look up this actress, only to find that she had past at such an early age. I will admit, this has left me with a ghostly appreciation of her smile and eyes. As I reviewed her career, I began to remember that my ex-wife has a family history of depression. I think
I will call her up to say hello, in the morning.
Ms. Hartman has been in my heart for over 20 years. Now that I look back
the first time I saw "A Patch of Blue", was the year she died.
Red -
scorpio19th — 18 years ago(November 25, 2007 12:36 PM)
Thanks to everyone who posted such beautiful heartfelt tributes to Miss Hartman.
As someone who suffers from depression, I can appreciate her abilities and her strength.
Thanks for sharing.
Never do anything halfway ! -
wyleneh_mother-1 — 17 years ago(May 21, 2008 11:08 AM)
Michelle Ann Fotheringham
Dear Sugar Bear,
That is one of the sweetest and most touching tributes I have
ever read. I think you captured how we all feel but could not put
into words the way you did. You should write a book of poetry-
what a gift. Sometimes, I think the "best ones" leave us so young,
because they are just to sensitive and good for this world. God
Bless You!