Born Lynne Maria Frederick on July 25, 1954 in Hillingdon, England her film career began in 1970 with such early appearances in “Nicholas and Alexandria” (1971), “Henry VIII and his Six Wives” and “The Amazing Mr. Blunden”, “Vampire Circus” all (1972), “Phase IV” (1974), “Voyage of the Damned” (1976). She became the fourth and final wife of the actor and comedian Peter Sellers, and was criticized by many of his contemporaries who regarded her as an opportunist who married him for his money, though others noted that Sellers was a womanizer and actively pursued her. This was given further credence when she re-married only six months after his death. Her last screen role was opposite Sellers in the 1979 comedy “The Prisoner of Zenda”. Although Sellers was reportedly in the process of excluding Frederick from his will a week before he died of a heart attack in 1980, she inherited almost his entire estate worth an estimated £4.5 million. By contrast, Sellers left his two children by actress Anne Howe £800 pounds each. Frederick won nearly $1.5 million in a lawsuit against the makers of the posthumous Trail of the Pink Panther (1982), claiming the film tarnished her late husband's memory. When Lynne Frederick died, her mother Iris inherited everything, including all of the income and royalties from Sellers' work. Upon Iris' death the estate reverts to Cassie, Lynne Frederick's daughter by her last husband, Barry Unger. Lynn Frederick appeared in two Euro-westerns during her career, “Red Coat” – 1974, and “Four of the Apocalypse” 1975. Today we remember her on what would have been her 55th birthday.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Remembering Lynne Frederick
Born Lynne Maria Frederick on July 25, 1954 in Hillingdon, England her film career began in 1970 with such early appearances in “Nicholas and Alexandria” (1971), “Henry VIII and his Six Wives” and “The Amazing Mr. Blunden”, “Vampire Circus” all (1972), “Phase IV” (1974), “Voyage of the Damned” (1976). She became the fourth and final wife of the actor and comedian Peter Sellers, and was criticized by many of his contemporaries who regarded her as an opportunist who married him for his money, though others noted that Sellers was a womanizer and actively pursued her. This was given further credence when she re-married only six months after his death. Her last screen role was opposite Sellers in the 1979 comedy “The Prisoner of Zenda”. Although Sellers was reportedly in the process of excluding Frederick from his will a week before he died of a heart attack in 1980, she inherited almost his entire estate worth an estimated £4.5 million. By contrast, Sellers left his two children by actress Anne Howe £800 pounds each. Frederick won nearly $1.5 million in a lawsuit against the makers of the posthumous Trail of the Pink Panther (1982), claiming the film tarnished her late husband's memory. When Lynne Frederick died, her mother Iris inherited everything, including all of the income and royalties from Sellers' work. Upon Iris' death the estate reverts to Cassie, Lynne Frederick's daughter by her last husband, Barry Unger. Lynn Frederick appeared in two Euro-westerns during her career, “Red Coat” – 1974, and “Four of the Apocalypse” 1975. Today we remember her on what would have been her 55th birthday.
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Some people's lives sure can take some strange turns!
ReplyDeleteJust goes to show that happiness is an elusive thing. Someone with that beauty, potential and opportunity. She inherited Seller's fortune and she died alone and miserable. So sad...
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