American theatre and film actress, onstage from 1929, who reached the peak of her acclaim in the stage production, Voice of the Turtle, on Broadway (1943-1944) and later in London (1947).
She began her film career in 1933 with a screen test that launched her immediately into starring roles. Throughout her career she produced a total of 16 films, though it was said she was temperamental and hard to work with.
She appeared opposite James Stewart in four films. She was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance in Three Comrades (1938).
Sullavan’s first of four marriages was to Henry Fonda, from 1931 to 1933. She was next married to director William Wyler from 1934 to 1936.
Sullavan’s third marriage was to agent and producer Leland Hayward from 1936 to 1948. Their daughter, Brooke (1937-) became an actress. The couple had two more children, Bridget (1939-1960) and William III “Bill” (1941–2008), who became a film producer and attorney.
By 1948 she had lost 50% of her hearing, but she learned to lip-read. She went through unshakable depressions and stays in various sanitariums. She attempted a comeback in 1959 in a touring play.
In New Haven, Connecticut on 1 January 1960, alone in a hotel room before a performance, Sullavan overdosed on sleeping pills at age 50. She was rushed to Grace New Haven Hospital, but shortly after 6:00 p.m. she was pronounced dead on arrival. She was survived by her fourth husband, English investment banker Kenneth Wagg, whom she had married in 1950.
Link to Wikipedia biography