Edward Albert Put Career Aside To Care For Sick Father Eddie, Who Died A Year Before Him

Oct 26, 2022 by apost team

Eddie Albert was one of the most decorated actors in the early 1930s that flourished until the early 1990s. But before he took on the glitz and glamor of the Golden Age of Hollywood, he previously worked for the American government as a member of the US Army Intelligence, all while being a trapeze performer in a traveling circus. 

Eddie made a grand debut in the iconic “Brother Rat” film, where he starred as Bing Edwards. After that, he became a staple in films where he was cast as a friendly buddy of the main hero and sometimes as a villain. 

Most of Eddie's notable works include “Oklahoma!,” “The Longest Yard,” “The Fuller Brush Girl,” “Teahouse of the August Moon,“ “Green Acres ”and “Meet Me After The Show,” among many others. 

But it was his work in “Roman Holiday” with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck that he earned him a nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. He also scored another Oscar nomination for the same category for his portrayal of a resentful and overprotective father, Mr. Corcoran, in “The Heartbreak Kid.”

Aside from his illustrious career in Hollywood, Eddie also spent a lot of time fighting for his advocacies as he was active in social and environmental causes during the 1970s. He even became the national chairman for the Boy Scouts of America conservation program and the founder of the Eddie Albert World Trees Foundation. 

Eddie's time, while he was still alive, had been greatly recognized, which is why many were mourning his tragic death last 2005, when he passed away because of pneumonia while being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. But he had someone who had been tending to his needs – his son and namesake, Edward Albert Jr. 

Born Edward Albert Heimberger, most commonly referred to as Eddie Albert, was the father of another famed actor Edward Laurence Albert, or simply Edward Albert. He attended Oxford University for his secondary education and eventually studied psychology at the University of California in Los Angeles. 

Like many Hollywood kids, Edward was born into the limelight by Eddie, and his mother, Mexican actress Margo. He also had an adopted younger sister, Maria Albert. 

Edward was known for his acting prowess while acting opposite Goldie Hawn in “Butterflies Are Free.” He earned a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year while also being nominated for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy. He had appeared both in television and in film, working on projects like “Falcon Crest,” “Power Rangers Time Force,” “The Yellow Rose,” and “The House Where Evil Dwells.”

He married English film and television actress Katherine Woodville in 1978. They eventually had one child, poet and singer/songwriter Thais Woodville-Albert.

Edward followed in the footsteps of his father – performing while also doing important activism work. According to Los Angeles Times, he served both in the California Coastal Commission and the state’s Native American Heritage Commission.

While the 2000s seemed to be another era in which Edward’s career could still grow, he had decided to pause his personal career to put his own family first. He began taking care of his ailing father, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease as his mother, Margo, passed away in 1985 because of brain cancer. 

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In a The Washington Post report, it was revealed that Eddie was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease in 1995. It was until that time that Eddie stopped working both in television and in film. Meanwhile, his son, Edward, still took up a few projects here and there but had prioritized taking care of his father.

According to The New York Times, Edward had devoted 10 years of his life to taking care of his ailing father, Eddie, who was diagnosed with a terminal disease.

On May 26, 2005, the Hollywood icon tragically passed away at 99 years old due to pneumonia in his home in Pacific Palisades, California. He was laid to rest at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery beside his wife, Margo, and his late “Green Acres” co-star Eva Gabor. 

Sadly, Edward didn’t live for much longer. He was diagnosed with lung cancer 18 months before he passed away on Sep. 22, 2006. He was survived by his wife, Katherine, his daughter, Thais, and his adopted sister Maria Albert. 

Edward and his father were evidently close as he had taken the time to sacrifice his career to take care of his terminally-ill father. In a 1972 interview, he sang praises of his old pop that gave the public a peek at their strong bond. 

“If I wasn’t Eddie Albert’s son, I’d be someone else’s. It gave me a chance to do a lot of traveling, but mostly I’m glad I’m his son because he’s such a good man,” he told the publication at the time. 

What do you think of Eddie Albert’s grand gesture toward his father? Do you think he made the right choice in doing so? Let us know, and pass this on to your family, friends and other loved ones!