Although late actress Amanda Blake attained significant success and acclaim in the entertainment industry, her five marriages and subsequent divorces have also become an integral part of her story.
Moreover, her passing in 1989 generated controversy among her close acquaintances, making it just as fascinating as her illustrious career and past relationships with five different men.
Amanda Blake was born in Buffalo, New York, on February 20, 1929, to parents of English and Scottish heritage. She developed a love for acting at a young age and participated in various theatrical productions.
Blake made her film debut in MGM’s “Stars in My Crown” and landed her first TV role in “Schlitz Playhouse: Double Exposure.” But her role as Miss Kitty Russell in the western series “Gunsmoke” alongside actor James Arness brought her lasting fame.
While it is worth noting that Blake had achieved success and recognition in the entertainment industry, it is equally noteworthy that her several marriages over the years had also marked her life.
Amanda Blake Was Married Five Times, but All Her Marriages Ended In Divorce
Despite being reportedly married five times, little is known about Blake’s relationships. Only three of her husbands were publicly known: a director, a writer-producer, and a politician. Another had an unknown background.
Blake’s first marriage was to director Don White from August 22, 1954, until August 21, 1956. White directed many TV shows, including “Traffic Court,” “Stars of Jazz,” and “The Soupy Sales Show.”
On August 15, 1964, Blake married her second husband, Jason Seymour Day, whose identity and work are unknown. The couple divorced on June 28, 1967.
Just three days after her divorce from Day, Blake married her third husband, Frank Gilbert, on June 30, 1967. Gilbert was a famous producer and writer known for his work in the films “Buffalo Bill Rides Again” and “Lighthouse” and the TV series “Tattletales.”
Sadly, after 15 years of marriage, Blake and Gilbert divorced in 1982. However, Blake found love again and married her fourth husband, Mark Edward Spaeth, on April 28, 1984.
Spaeth was a councilman in Austin City, Texas, and the owner of a real estate investment firm. However, their marriage was short-lived, as Spaeth filed for divorce on their first wedding anniversary.
In his divorce petition, which he filed at the Austin state district court, Spaeth cited their marriage as “insupportable” because of “discord or conflict of personalities.” He was also battling an undisclosed illness at the time.
Despite being married multiple times, Amanda Blake did not have children with her former husbands.
Amanda Blake’s Last Husband Mark Spaeth May Have Been Gay
Blake passed away on August 16, 1989, at age 60, leaving behind both grieving loved ones and public controversy. Initially, there were conflicting reports about the cause of her death, with some claiming cancer and others citing throat cancer.
Later, Blake’s physician, Dr. Lou Nishimura, clarified that her death was due to AIDS symptoms she had suffered for about a year. However, the doctor never knew how Blake contracted the disease.
Blake’s acquaintances expressed confusion about how she contracted AIDS as they believed she was not a drug user or sexually promiscuous. Nonetheless, some thought her ex-husband, Spaeth, may have played a role in her death.
Spaeth died of AIDS at 45, soon after their brief marriage ended in divorce. His colleague, City council member Charles Urdy noted that Spaeth was perceived as homosexual. Urdy added:
“He was accepted as being gay, and his close friends were known to be gay.”
Contrary to what Urdy and Blake’s friends believed about Spaeth infecting Blake with AIDS, Jane Price, the actress’s former housekeeper, claimed that Blake had an unconsummated marriage.
Before his death, Spaeth claimed to the media that he might have gotten infected with the virus from Blake, hinting that she might have contracted the disease during her trips to Africa, where she studied wildlife.
Amanda Blake Never Had Children, but She Cared Deeply for Animals
Despite being married multiple times, Blake did not have children with her former husbands. Instead, she devoted her life to supporting wildlife preservation organizations.Blake’s friend Pat Derby, head of the Performing Animal Welfare Society refuge, said in 1989 that the actress wanted to focus all her energy on animal rescue and avoid negative media attention over her AIDS diagnosis.
Blake was also worried about having limited time to achieve her goals. After starring in “Gunsmoke,” Blake became financially independent and lived on a farm near Phoenix, where she raised cheetahs and worked with wildlife preservation groups.
In Blake’s honor, PAWS established Amanda Blake Memorial Wildlife Refuge in Herald, California. It is now a safe place for rescued emus. The refuge reflects Blake’s dedication to protecting animals in captivity and the wild.
Blake was among celebrities who succumbed to AIDS, just like actor Rock Hudson. However, there are Hollywood stars today who have survived the illness, like Billy Porter, who now feels free after years of hiding it.