On 12 December 1985 the Los Angeles Times reported the death of Anne Baxter aged 62. This followed a stroke suffered some eight days earlier.1
Anne Baxter was a grand-daughter of the influential architect Frank Lloyd Wright. More importantly she was a very successful American actress with a career spanning her Broadway debut aged 13 to encompass films, and in later years, television. In 1946 she won an academy award for Best Supporting Actress in the film “The Razors Edge” and was nominated again in 1950.2
Following a visit to Australia for filming of “The Summer of the Seventeenth Doll” she married Randolph Galt, a wealthy American with property interests in Australia.3 The wedding took place in Honolulu on 18 February 19604 and the newlyweds, together with Anne’s daughter from a previous marriage, came to live on “Giro”, Galt’s extensive rural holding north of Gloucester.5
However, Anne found the reality of rural Australia unpalatable. Her daughter was at boarding school and she missed her career.6 In 1963 the Galts returned to the USA,7 but their marriage was not destined to last. Notwithstanding the birth of two daughters, Melissa and Maginel, Anne and Randolph were divorced in 1970.8
For further reading: Intermission – a true tale by Anne Baxter, published by W H Allen, London 1977
Author: Penny Teerman
References:
Main photo: Anne Baxter, Australian Women’s Weekly, March 1960.
1 Los Angeles Times, 12 December 1985
2 Los Angeles Times, 12 December 1985
3 Australian Women’s Weekly, Wednesday 24 February 1960 Pg 3
4 Canberra Times, Saturday 20 February 1960 Pg 9
5 Australian Women’s Weekly, Wednesday 24 February 1960 Pg 3
6 Canberra Times, Thursday 25 July 1963 Pg 11
7 Canberra Times, Thursday 25 July 1963 Pg 11
8 Los Angeles Times, 12 December 1985
9 Photo courtesy of Boolambaayte to the Manning: 1854 – Wingham – 2004, Bookmen Publishers Pty Ltd, 2004.
