Celebrity Graveland

February 2, 1925 – July 17, 2014

Widely considered one of the greatest performers in Broadway history, Elaine Stritch spent more than six decades on stages all around the world. She appeared in early classics like Pal Joey and William Inge’s Bus Stop, but found a major breakthrough in 1961 with her groundbreaking performance in Sail Away by Noël Coward. In 1970, she appeared in the original production of Stephen Sondheim’s masterpiece Company, in which she originated the now-classic “The Ladies Who Lunch” which would become one of her signature songs. She was nominated for 5 Tony Awards throughout her career, winning once.

In addition to her work on Broadway and in London’s West End, Stritch had a robust television career garnering a total of 9 Emmy nominations, winning 4 times. In particular, her appearances in the crime drama Law & Order as well as the comedy 30 Rock brought her wide acclaim.

Stritch struggled with alcoholism most of her adult life. She was very open about her struggles and included the topic in her award-winning 2001 one-woman show, Elaine Stritch at Liberty. She was married to playwright and actor John Bay for 10 years until his death in 1982. In 2013, while struggling with stomach cancer and complications from diabetes, Stritch moved from New York back to her native Michigan. She died in her sleep in July of the following year at the age of 89.

Burial

Memorial Park Cemetery – Skokie, IL

Specific Location

Section E, Lot 188 – Enter the cemetery and continue straight until you reach Section E on your left. Look for a red stone marker on your left with the names RENNER/OPPERMANN on it. Elaine and her husband are buried right behind this marker.

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