"Black Angel" Actress Constance Dowling 1969 Holy Cross Cemetery

Constance Dowling (July 24, 1920 - October 28, 1969) was an American model turned actress of the 1940s and 1950s.

KNICKERBOCKER HOLIDAY with SHELLEY WINTERS

Early life and career

Born in New York City, Dowling was a model and chorus girl before moving to California in 1943. She was the elder sister of actress Doris Dowling.[1] 

DORIS AND CONSTANCE DOWLING

Prior to her move to Hollywood, Dowling appeared in several Broadway productions, including Panama Hattie (with sister Doris), Hold On To Your Hats, and The Strings, My Lord, Are False.[2] Dowling began her screen career appearing in Up in Arms (1944) for Samuel Goldwyn. 

UP IN ARMS with DANNY KAYE

She appeared in a few films after that, including the film noir Black Angel (1946) but her film career did not advance.

BLACK ANGEL

Dowling lived in Italy in 1947 through 1950 and appeared in some unmemorable Italian films. 

GOG

Dowling returned to Hollywood in the 1950s and landed a part in the sci-fi film Gog, her last film.

CONSTANCE DOWLING & CESARE PAVESE

Personal life

Dowling had been involved in a long affair with married director Elia Kazan in New York. He couldn't bring himself to leave his wife and the affair ended when Dowling went to Hollywood under contract to Goldwyn.[3] She was later linked with Italian poet/novelist Cesare Pavese who committed suicide in 1950 after being rejected by Dowling. One of his last poems is entitled "Death will come and she'll have your eyes."[4][5]

IVAN TORS

In 1955, Dowling married film producer Ivan Tors, with whom she had three sons: Steven, David, and Peter Tors, as well as a foster child, Alfred Ndwego of Kenya. She retired from acting after this marriage.[6] 

Death

On October 28, 1969, Dowling died at the age of 49 of a heart attack.[6] She is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery in Culver City. 

References

1. Saxon, Wolfgang (2004-06-28). "Doris Dowling, 81, Is Dead; Known for Classic Films of 40's". New York Times. 
 2. "Constance Dowling, 49, Is Dead; Acted on Broadway and in Films". The New York Times. Reuters. 1969-10-29. p. 52. 
3. Schickel, Richard (1988-05-09). "Incaution on A Grand Scale Elia Kazan: A Life". Time. p. 2. 
4. di Vincenzo, Ludovica (2014). "Death will come and she'll have your eyes - The Times Stephen Spender Prize 2013 (commended)". Stephen Spender Trust. 
5. Williamson, Alan (1997-09-10). "Pavese's late love poems". The American Poetry Review. 
6. "The Private Life and Times of Constance Dowling". glamourgirlsofthesilverscreen.com.