Sunday 26 August 2012

Eleanor Counts

Born: 1918, Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
Died: 12 September 1950, New York City, New York, USA

A bit part actress with occasional speaking parts. Apparently she was 31 when she died and thanks to the contributors below we now know why.

Unexpected Uncle (1941) as Match-girl (uncredited)

With Russell Hicks.

















So's Your Aunt Emma (1942) as Gracie











9 comments:

  1. She was anomyously buried in Little Rock after her death from pneumonia and related complications seemingly after a drug overdose according to a local obituary. The Little Rock Dames and members of the Mt Holly Cemetery association and Master Gardeners here are footing the bill to put a headstone on grave for her at our historic cemetery. The headstone will have a placard highlighting her acting career.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for this invaluable information. It sounds like Eleanor is at last getting the recognition she deserves.

      Delete
  2. David - This is my grandmother! Today is the day she died, so I just happened to Google her name and this popped up.

    I had no idea of the plans for a headstone. I would love to get in touch with whoever is coordinating that. My mother, Iris Gauldin Henry, is currently in hospice here in Little Rock. She will be thrilled to hear the news.

    I have a bunch of Eleanor's documents and photos at my house. She was a fascinating lady. She actually had ovarian cancer, but refused treatment. She did likely overdose on pain medication in a New York hotel room. It was a sad ending for her.

    Thanks again for posting this. I can look up the contact info for The Little Rock Dames and Mt. Holly Cemetery Association, but feel free to pass along the specific contact if you have it.

    Paul Henry
    paul@thehenryfamily.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I hope all goes well with the headstone Paul and David. If you have any more information I can post here I would be glad to do so.

      Delete
  3. Last night, she was fabulously portrayed at Mt. Holly's tale of the crypt!! She was very interesting :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. To Paul Henry: I have a Feb 27 1939 LIFE magazine in which Eleanor is pictured jump-starting her career, holding a sign touting her acting skills and being given a break by Bob Burns, another Arkansas actor/comedian. If this is of interest to you and you do not already have a copy I will send you the magazine. I believe you can contact me thru Google. I will also see if i can contact you direct thru your comment above.

    ReplyDelete
  5. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Alan - Sorry for the delay in responding. I didn't realize there had been another post. I didn't get a notification. I have a truckload of photos and articles for Eleanor, but I don't think I have that one. I would love to have it if it's still available.

    ReplyDelete
  7. paul henry sorry to hear about your mom in poor health.. Eleanor was my great aunt.. my name is Larry Counts my dad is James A Counts Jr.. my grandfather was Eleanors brother.. we have been putting some stones on our family that's buried at Mt Holley ..we just put a stone on James B Counts who is Eleanors dad ... my great grandfather hes buried right beside Eleanor. maybe we can talk some time .. Eleanors grand father is also buried at Mt Holley he was one of the first Chief Of Police of Little Rock .. we just had a stone decation to him in March after we put a stone on his grave. poppysworld70@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete

Contributors