Evita Star Stephanie Lawrence Found Dead
Date: 6 November 2000
West End musical star Stephanie Lawrence died at the weekend, aged 50. She was found dead on Saturday, 4 November, in the bedroom of her house in Fulham, south-west London.
Police have said that they are not viewing the death as suspicious and do not believe anyone else was involved. No immediate cause of death has been given, but her death is being investigated by the Queen's coroner amid suspicions that the actress may have committed suicide.
Lawrence made her stage debut at 16 in the play Forget Me Not Lane. But it wasn't until 1982, when she took over the title role of Evita from Elaine Paige, that Lawrence achieved widespread recognition. She went on to star in several more West End musicals, including Lloyd Webber's Cats and Starlight Express. She was also well-known for her Broadway portrayal of screen star Marilyn Monroe in the hit show Marilyn! and for other long-running West End tributes to Monroe as well as Eva Peron and Marlene Dietrich.
In recent years, however, Lawrence reportedly battled against alcoholism and bouts of depression. She returned to the stage to star as Mrs Johnson in the long-running West End production of Willy Russell's Blood Brothers, but withdrew after complaining of exhaustion.
Lawrence's manager, Susan James, paid tribute to the actress, saying, 'I am absolutely devastated. I loved her dearly and thought she was one of the most talented people I have ever had the pleasure of knowing.'
Lawrence is survived by her husband, Laurie Sautereau, who she wed just two months ago.
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