Aleta Freel
Encyclopedia
Aleta Freel was an American
stage actress.
, the daughter of a physician, Freel was educated at the Bergen School for Girls in Jersey City. She graduated from Smith College
.
She played leading roles in several eastern stock companies. Among Freel's stage performances was a role in the play Double Door, which was performed at the Ritz Theater in New York City in the fall of 1933. She was married to Hollywood
actor Ross Alexander
following a backstage romance. Alexander was originally from Brooklyn
, and began his career in New York. He was cast in many Broadway
productions, one of which was The Ladder.
. She was 28 years of age. Her husband confided to police that he and Miss Freel had a "small spat" during the evening. She was disappointed about some screen tests on which she had high hopes, but which were unsuccessful.
On December 14, 1935, in Sacramento, California
, the state of California
opened an investigation into the "strange death" of Aleta Freel. The inquiry was requested by Governor of New Jersey
Harold G. Hoffman
. Friends and relatives of the actress asked Hoffman and Governor Merriam of California for a more exhaustive probe. Freel's father, William, was quoted as saying at the time of his daughter's death, that he was not altogether sure she took her life.
Her husband Ross
remarried, but 13 months after Freel's suicide he also shot and killed himself, reportedly with the same gun.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
stage actress.
Life and career
Born in Jersey City, New JerseyJersey City, New Jersey
Jersey City is the seat of Hudson County, New Jersey, United States.Part of the New York metropolitan area, Jersey City lies between the Hudson River and Upper New York Bay across from Lower Manhattan and the Hackensack River and Newark Bay...
, the daughter of a physician, Freel was educated at the Bergen School for Girls in Jersey City. She graduated from Smith College
Smith College
Smith College is a private, independent women's liberal arts college located in Northampton, Massachusetts. It is the largest member of the Seven Sisters...
.
She played leading roles in several eastern stock companies. Among Freel's stage performances was a role in the play Double Door, which was performed at the Ritz Theater in New York City in the fall of 1933. She was married to Hollywood
Hollywood, Los Angeles, California
Hollywood is a famous district in Los Angeles, California, United States situated west-northwest of downtown Los Angeles. Due to its fame and cultural identity as the historical center of movie studios and movie stars, the word Hollywood is often used as a metonym of American cinema...
actor Ross Alexander
Ross Alexander
Ross Alexander was an American stage and film actor.- Early life :Born Alexander Ross Smith in Brooklyn, New York, Alexander began his acting career in Broadway productions during the 1920s. By 1926 he was regarded as a promising leading man, with good looks and an easy and charming style and...
following a backstage romance. Alexander was originally from Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
, and began his career in New York. He was cast in many Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
productions, one of which was The Ladder.
Death
Freel became despondent regarding her career. She took a .22 rifle from a gun rack in her home and shot herself through the temple on December 6, 1935. Freel died early the following morning at Emergency Hospital in Los Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
. She was 28 years of age. Her husband confided to police that he and Miss Freel had a "small spat" during the evening. She was disappointed about some screen tests on which she had high hopes, but which were unsuccessful.
On December 14, 1935, in Sacramento, California
Sacramento, California
Sacramento is the capital city of the U.S. state of California and the county seat of Sacramento County. It is located at the confluence of the Sacramento River and the American River in the northern portion of California's expansive Central Valley. With a population of 466,488 at the 2010 census,...
, the state of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
opened an investigation into the "strange death" of Aleta Freel. The inquiry was requested by Governor of New Jersey
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
Harold G. Hoffman
Harold G. Hoffman
Harold Giles Hoffman was an American politician, a Republican who served as the 41st Governor of New Jersey, from 1935 to 1938. He also served two terms representing in the United States House of Representatives, from 1927 to 1931.-Early life:Hoffman was born in South Amboy, New Jersey to Frank...
. Friends and relatives of the actress asked Hoffman and Governor Merriam of California for a more exhaustive probe. Freel's father, William, was quoted as saying at the time of his daughter's death, that he was not altogether sure she took her life.
Her husband Ross
Ross Alexander
Ross Alexander was an American stage and film actor.- Early life :Born Alexander Ross Smith in Brooklyn, New York, Alexander began his acting career in Broadway productions during the 1920s. By 1926 he was regarded as a promising leading man, with good looks and an easy and charming style and...
remarried, but 13 months after Freel's suicide he also shot and killed himself, reportedly with the same gun.