Lauren Bacall dies

Golden Age Hollywood actress was 89.

by Jennie Kermode

Lauren Bacall in The Big Sleep
Lauren Bacall in The Big Sleep

Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall passed away today at the age of 89 after suffering from a massive stroke. She was famed for her work in films like The Big Sleep, Key Largo and How To Marry A Millionaire. Working right up until the end of her life, she appeared in Lars Von Trier's Manderlay and recently lent her famous sultry voice to the character of the Grey One in animation Ernest And Celestine.

Bacall won many awards over the course of her career, including a lifetime achievement Oscar in 2012. During the early years of her career she was celebrated for her tough characters and her striking adoption of traditionally masculine clothing, though she could easily adopt to popular Hollywood glamour when she wanted to. She had strong politically views, speaking out against McCarthyism alongside Humphrey Bogart (with whom she had a legendary screen partnership), and campaigning for Robert Kennedy in 1964.

Twice married, to Bogart and to Jason Robards, Bacall is survived by her children Stephen, Leslie and Sam.

Share this with others on...

Movies out this week include:

Is This Thing On? Nouvelle Vague Primate Rabbit Trap
News

Home truths Marijana Janković on Balkan representation, and the immigrant question of belonging

The division belle Suzannah Herbert on facing the US' troubled history and making Natchez

Spin-off alchemy Claude Schmitz on bringing back cop pairing for Conrad & Crab – Idiotic Gems

Past crime Christoffer Boe on creating a world for his period mystery Special Unit - The First Murder

It Was Just An Accident screenwriter arrested in Iran Jafar Panahi speaks out

Sundance announces winners Josephine, Nuisance Bear, Shame And Money and To Hold A Mountain take top prizes

More news and features

Interact

As we move into 2026, don't forget that you can follow us on YouTube for trailers of festival films and more. You can also find us on Mastodon and Bluesky.

With awards season in full flow, you can keep track of the latest news on that here:

César nominations Nouvelle Vague leads the race for France's biggest awards

BAFTA nominations One Battle After Another and Sinners almost neck and neck

Critics' Circle Awards One Battle After Another wins fight

Oscars Sinners dominates the nominations