Famous for dropping the diamond into the ocean and making the kind of comeback everyone in Hollywood dreams of, Gloria Stuart died today at the age of 100. The actress was a firsthand witness to the Golden Age of Hollywood in the 1930s with roles in films like Gold Diggers of 1935 and Poor Little Rich Girl but is best known today as Old Rose in 1997's Titanic; the role earned her a Best Supporting Actress nominee, and she remains the oldest actress to be nominated for the prize.
When Stuart celebrated her 100th birthday this summer, Titanic director James Cameron and his wife Suzy Amis-- who played Stuart's granddaughter in the film-- joined her to blow out the candles. On hand for the event, The LA Times quoted Cameron as he hailed "a century of Gloria Stuart":
"Gloria's so alive, and her creativity, her artistry and the sparkle in her eyes is a challenge to all of us to live as fully and richly as she has and will continue to do as she heads into her 101st year. We all love you, Gloria, and not just because about half of the people in this room are the direct or indirect product of your loins."
It's a pretty spectacular thing to become famous all over again at 87 for a single terrific performance, but to live another 13 years after it to enjoy it? Should we all be so lucky. Ms. Stuart leaves behind a daughter, four grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren, not to mention an entire art form she was on hand to help invent.
