Carol Grace

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Carol Grace
Photo of Carol Grace.jpg
Born(1924-09-11)September 11, 1924
New York City, U.S.
DiedJuly 21, 2003(2003-07-21) (aged 78)
New York City, U.S.
OccupationActress, author
Spouse(s)William Saroyan (1943–49; divorced; 1951–52; divorced); 2 children
Walter Matthau (1959–2000; his death); 1 child
ChildrenAram Saroyan
Lucy Saroyan
Charles Matthau

Carol Grace (September 11, 1924 – July 21, 2003) was an American actress and author. She is often referred to as Carol Marcus Saroyan or Carol Matthau.

Biography[]

Grace was born in New York City's Lower East Side; her mother, who was sixteen when she gave birth, was the daughter of Russian Jewish immigrants. Grace never knew her biological father. Her mother Rosheen Marcus later identified him as British actor Leslie Howard.[1] She was placed in foster care until the age of eight when her mother married Charles Marcus, the wealthy head of the Bendix Corporation. Grace would take his last name as her own.[2][3]

She was reportedly the inspiration for the Holly Golightly character in Truman Capote's novella Breakfast at Tiffany's.[4]

Grace's Broadway credits include Once There Was a Russian (1961), The Cold Wind and the Warm (1958), The Square Root of Wonderful (1957), Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1955), The Time of Your Life (1955), and Across the Board on Tomorrow Morning and Talking to You (1942).[5]

She was twice married to Pulitzer Prize-winning writer William Saroyan over an eight-year period.(1943-1949 and 1951-1952).[5] She later revealed that he was abusive. The couple had two children: Aram Saroyan, an internationally known writer, and the late actress Lucy Saroyan, who died in 2003.[3][2][6]

She subsequently married actor Walter Matthau on August 21, 1959. The couple remained married until his death on July 1, 2000; they had one son, Charles. She had a wide social circle and was known for her wit and good company.[3][2][6]

In 1955, Random House published[7] her novella based on her experiences as a foster child, The Secret in the Daisy.[8] In 1992, she published a memoir, Among the Porcupines.[9]

Grace died of a cerebral aneurysm on July 21, 2003, aged 78, and was interred in the same grave as Matthau, who died 3 years prior.[citation needed]

Filmography[]

Year Film Role
1960 Gangster Story Carol
1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents: "Cop for a Day"
1976 Mikey and Nicky Nellie
1978 The Barbara Walters Special Self

References[]

  1. ^ "Matthau family official website", matthau.com; accessed April 17, 2021.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c Obituary, guardian.co.uk, August 11, 2004; accessed August 17, 2015.
  3. ^ Jump up to: a b c Obituary in The Independent, July 27, 2003; accessed June 8, 2017
  4. ^ "Holly Golightly inspiration", nytimes.com, August 2, 1992; accessed August 17, 2015.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b "Carol Grace". Internet Broadway Database. The Broadway League. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  6. ^ Jump up to: a b Obituary, The New York Times, July 24, 2003; accessed August 17, 2015.
  7. ^ "Whitney Bolton". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Pennsylvania, Philadelphia. February 17, 1959. p. 19. Retrieved October 19, 2019 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ Notice in re forthcoming publication of The Secret of the Daisy
  9. ^ Review of Among the Porcupines, nytimes.com; accessed August 17, 2015.

External links[]

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