Kean's niece says that the actress passes away at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank after suffering from a hemorrhagic stroke.
- Nov 29, 2013
AceShowbiz - Jane Kean, a performer who probably is best known for playing Trixie in "The Honeymooners", passed away at the age of 90. Kean died at Providence St. Joseph Medical Center in Burbank. She fell and suffered from a hemorrhagic stroke which led to her death, her niece Deirdre Wolpert said on Thursday, November 28 per Associated Press.
Kean was born on April 10, 1923 in Hartford, Connecticut. Young Kean and her sister Betty started performing on stages with the support of their mother. In the 1950s, she got the main role in Broadway plays such as "The Pajama Game" and "Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?". At that time, she and Betty also performed at a popular nightclub show which incorporated singing, dancing and comedy.
In 1966, Jackie Gleason and CBS revived "The Honeymooners", expanded the show into 1 hour and added some musical numbers. Kean was on the popular show for five years before leaving to pursue other activities such as voice role and other guest appearances. The actress also joined behind-the-scene work in children's movie "Pete's Dragon" in 1977.
Wolpert said that only last year Kean performed a one-woman show which was about her life and work. Kean was preparing invitation for a Christmas party prior to her death and planned to travel to London with Wolpert after Christmas, the niece said.
Kean is survived by Wolpert, her husband and their children. In addition, she is survived by a stepson, Joseph Hecht Jr., and his son. Kean's second husband Joe Hecht passed away in 2006 while her sister passed away in 1986.
