Helen Shipman - Later Life

Later Life

In 1937, Shipman married the Broadway, movie, and radio actor Edward Pawley while he was in Hollywood performing in movies. Pawley had been a star on Broadway and was the first actor to portray Sinclair Lewis' Elmer Gantry character on the Broadway stage in 1928. Shipman effectively quit show business after their marriage and focused more attention on her other interests, such as gardening, the arts, reading and music. She was also an active member of the fraternal order known as the Rosicrucians. In 1951 when her husband left his starring role as 'Steve Wilson' on the very popular radio show, Big Town, they retired to Rappahannock County, Virginia. She died there of heart failure on April 13, 1984 at the age of 85. She did not have any children.

Helen Shipman has sometimes been confused with Helena Shipman who was born in the State of Washington and who married actor Robert Keith and had a son, Brian Keith, who became a famous actor in the movies and on TV. Helena Shipman was also a stage actress for a while, but never achieved the fame which Helen Shipman attained.