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.

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