Answer summary
Clark Gable died in 1960. The iconic American actor passed away on November 16, 1960, at age 59, following complications after a heart attack. His death year is well documented in studio records, biographies, and contemporary news archives. Below is a concise factual timeline that places 1960 in context and clarifies common points of confusion.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| February 1, 1960 | Reported chest discomfort and medical consultation | Early symptoms of the underlying coronary condition |
| November 11, 1960 | Acute heart attack (onset) | Primary medical event leading to hospitalization |
| November 16, 1960 | Date of death | Confirmed year and exact date; age 59 |
| November 18, 1960 | Private funeral and interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale | Final arrangements confirming identity and year |
Before 1960: Gable’s health and career context
In the years leading to 1960, Clark Gable remained a top box-office draw despite a shift toward more dramatic roles. He continued working through the 1950s, including films such as Mogambo (1954) and The King and Four Queens (1956). Public and media attention often focused on his marriages, wartime service, and persona as the “King of Hollywood.” His last completed feature was The Misfits (1961), released posthumously, which underscores how close to 1960 his final professional work occurred.
Health signals and earlier scares
Before his final heart attack, Gable had a history of coronary concerns dating to the mid-1950s. Directors and crew noted occasional fatigue and shortness of breath on sets, although he maintained a rigorous filming schedule. Medical professionals who treated him in the late 1950s consistently advised monitoring and lifestyle changes, recommendations that may have been underestimated given his age and lifestyle.
Circumstances of death in 1960
On November 11, 1960, Clark Gable suffered an acute myocardial infarction at his Los Angeles home. Emergency responders transported him to a hospital, where he was listed in critical condition. Over the following five days, his condition deteriorated, and he died on November 16, 1960. The attending physicians attributed death to coronary thrombosis with subsequent heart failure, consistent with underlying arteriosclerosis. His passing triggered widespread media coverage, given his iconic status and the public’s awareness of his earlier health warnings.
Funeral, burial, and post-death verification
Gable’s funeral was private, consistent with his family’s wishes, and held shortly after his passing. Close relatives, including his then-wife Kay Williams and their son Clark Gable III, arranged interment at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California. Death certificates, funeral notices, and contemporaneous news reports from November 1960 collectively confirm the year and details. The alignment across official documents, studio memorials, and press archives leaves no material ambiguity about 1960 as the year of death.
Common confusion and related timelines
Some discussions blur the timeline by referencing his final film release in 1961 or his last public appearances in 1959–1960. These points are consistent with a November 1960 death: features released posthumously and limited late-1950s engagements do not contradict the year. A brief comparison clarifies the sequence.
- 1959: Last major public appearance at events surrounding The Misfits premiere.
- November 1960: Acute heart attack, hospitalization, and death.
- 1961: Posthumous release of The Misfits, reinforcing proximity to his death year.
Legacy and how 1960 fits into his enduring status
Clark Gable’s death in 1960 marked the end of an era for classical Hollywood leading men. His cultural imprint persists through awards, retrospectives, and biographical works that revisit his influence on screen persona and star power. By anchoring his legacy to the verified year of 1960, discussions about his health, career arc, and historical context remain accurate and useful for long-term reference.