The Tragic Death of Brandon De Wilde: A Hollywood Life Cut Short

Brandon de Wilde's life was marked by tragedy, from his early start in Hollywood to his untimely death at the age of 30. Born in 1942, de Wilde began acting at just 10 years old and went on to appear in numerous films throughout the 1950s and 1960s. He starred alongside legendary actors such as John Wayne and Paul Newman, and even had a child with his first wife Susan Maw.

De Wilde's personal life was not without its challenges. He married twice, first to Susan Maw and then to Janice Gero, who he met while working on the film 'Wild in the Sky'. Tragically, their marriage was short-lived, as de Wilde died just four months after they tied the knot in a car accident.

The accident occurred when de Wilde's camper van struck a parked truck, killing him instantly. He was on his way to visit Janice at a hospital where she had recently undergone surgery. The news of his death sent shockwaves through the Hollywood community, and he is still remembered as one of the industry's most talented young stars.

Despite his untimely passing, de Wilde's legacy lives on through his body of work. He appeared in films such as 'Shane', 'The Member of the Wedding', and 'La Spina Dorsale del Diavola', among many others. His final film credit was for the 1992 action picture 'Breathing Fire'.

In recent years, Janice Gero has spoken publicly about her life with de Wilde, including their struggles to make ends meet during his acting career. In an interview for a book on their lives, she recalled struggling to provide food for their family, stating, 'We were so poor we went to the grocery store and were actually taking bags of beans and were putting them inside our clothes to get something to eat.'

De Wilde's life serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of fame and the importance of cherishing every moment. Despite his tragic death at such a young age, he left behind a lasting legacy in the world of Hollywood.

Brandon de wilde death photos