Celebrity Graveland

November 19, 1920 – November 6, 1991

In Hollywood during the 1940s, sensational good looks could get you pretty far; almost as far as raw talent alone. Fortunately for Gene Tierney, she had both. Born in New York and raised in high society Connecticut, a chance trip to California as a teen and a visit to the famous Warner Bros. film studios instantly grabbed young Gene’s attention. She knew from that moment she wanted to be an actor. Acting classes in New York City led to stage appearances and by the time she was 20, she had already made a critical splash on Broadway – the “legitimate theatre” which her father all but demanded she exclusively strive for. From that point, it was an easy jump to Hollywood where – “legitimate” or not – a film career awaited.

Tierney signed with 20th Century Fox and spent the next decade starring in successful films such as The Ghost and Mrs. Muir and Heaven Can Wait as well as legendary film noir classics like Leave Her to Heaven, The Razor’s Edge (opposite Tyrone Power) and Laura. Directed by Otto Preminger and co-starring Dana Andrews and Clifton Webb, Laura would become one of the most critically-acclaimed mystery films of all time…and Tierney’s most indelible performance.

Tierney spent much of the 1950’s dealing with health issues, including bouts of severe depression. She raised two daughters, the oldest of which was born with significant health and mental complications. Gene’s long-time friend, Howard Hughes, paid for much of her daughter’s treatments and institutional help. Through all of these obstacles, Tierney continued to work. She suddenly retired in 1964 and only appeared on screen a couple more times after that. She lived out the remainder of her life in her 2nd husband’s home state of Texas. Gene Tierney died at the age of 70 in 1991 of emphysema.

Burial

Glenwood Cemetery – Houston, TX

Specific Location

Section E-1; Enter the cemetery and head straight (follow the signs to the office). Behind the office to the southeast on the corner of Section E-1 is the large LEE plot/marker. Gene is buried in front of this marker on the left side of the plot. Gene is buried just up the hill from her friend, Howard Hughes.

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