The cause of his death has been a matter of contention for decades.
Hollywood hearsay has it that he took his own life by overdosing on
sleeping pills, depressed over the state of his career. His daughter
Liza, however, maintains that his career was thriving, having done the
variety show
Toast of the Town (1948) a few weeks
before. At the time of his death, in fact, he was in New York preparing
to do a
Chuck McCann comedy show. He died in his hotel room apparently of
visceral congestion (choking to death on food). Because sleeping pills
were found in his room, reporters assumed it was suicide and the rumor
caught on. According to the Medical Examiner, Liza says, no drugs were
found in her father's system and his death certificate supports her
claim.
