Hollywood is full of shooting stars, people who burn incredibly bright for a few years and then just... vanish. Jarma Lewis was one of those. If you’re a fan of classic cinema, you probably recognize her from The Tender Trap or maybe Raintree County. She had that classic MGM look. Polished. Elegant. But then, she stepped away from the cameras in the late 1950s and basically entered a different life entirely.
When news broke that she had passed away in 1985, fans were left scratching their heads. She was only 54 years old. That is incredibly young, even for the mid-80s. People naturally want a dramatic story—some Hollywood scandal or a hidden tragedy—but the reality of the Jarma Lewis cause of death is actually much quieter than the movies she starred in.
Setting the Record Straight on the Jarma Lewis Cause of Death
Honestly, if you look at the archives from 1985, there wasn't a huge media circus. She wasn't a "tabloid" queen. Jarma Lewis died on November 12, 1985, at her home in Beverly Hills.
According to official records and reports from the Los Angeles Times at the time, her death was attributed to natural causes.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Natural causes at 54? It sounds vague. Usually, when a medical examiner lists "natural causes" for someone in their early 50s, it refers to a sudden internal failure—like a massive heart attack or a stroke—that wasn't brought on by external trauma or foul play.
She was found dead in her home. No drama. No mystery "Hollywood" ending. Just a quiet exit.
Who was Jarma Lewis anyway?
Before we get deeper into the specifics of her later life, we have to talk about why people still care. Jarma wasn't just a background extra. She was a contract player for MGM during the studio's golden twilight.
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She was born Jarma Toy Lewis in Alabama back in 1931. By the time she hit her 20s, she was everywhere. You’ve probably seen her in:
- The Magnetic Monster (1953) – her big sci-fi start.
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) – she was one of the brides!
- The Tender Trap (1955) – sharing the screen with Frank Sinatra.
- Raintree County (1957) – her final major credit.
She had this sophisticated, almost regal vibe. But in 1955, she married Benjamin Edward Bensinger III. He was the heir to the Brunswick Corporation fortune. Basically, she married into serious money.
Life After the Silver Screen
She didn't quit acting because she failed. She quit because she chose a different path. By 1957, Jarma Lewis essentially retired from acting to focus on her family and her role as a Beverly Hills socialite and philanthropist.
She and Bensinger had three sons. For nearly three decades, she was more likely to be found at a charity gala or a UCLA board meeting than a film set. She became a major supporter of the arts and education in Los Angeles.
The Divorce and Her Final Years
Life wasn't always a movie script, though. In 1984, just a year before she died, she and Bensinger divorced after 29 years of marriage.
Some people speculate that the stress of a late-life divorce might have taken a toll on her health. It’s a common theory when someone dies suddenly so soon after a major life upheaval. However, there is zero medical evidence to suggest anything other than a natural health event.
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She was living as Jarma Bensinger at the time of her death, which is why some older death records might be harder to find if you’re only searching for her stage name.
Why the "Natural Causes" Label Matters
In the mid-80s, the term "natural causes" was often used as a catch-all in public obituaries to provide the family with privacy. If a celebrity died of a chronic illness they kept secret, or a sudden cardiac event, the family often requested the "natural" designation to avoid prying eyes.
In Jarma’s case, there were no reports of her being long-term ill. She was active in the community right up until the end.
Common Misconceptions
Because she died young, rumors occasionally pop up online. Let's clear those up:
- Foul Play: There was never any police investigation or suspicion of foul play. She was in her own home, and the scene was consistent with a natural death.
- Accident: There were no reports of a fall or a car accident.
- The "James Lewis" Confusion: Sometimes, search engines get confused with James Lewis (the Tylenol murders suspect) who died of a pulmonary embolism. Jarma’s story is completely unrelated.
The Legacy She Left Behind
Jarma Lewis might have had a short film career—only about five years of heavy hitting—but she made a mark. She represents a specific era of Hollywood where talent was groomed by the studios and then often traded for the stability of private life.
Her real legacy isn't just the 16 films she made. It’s the work she did for UCLA and the various medical charities she supported in Southern California. She used her "star power" to actually do something for the community.
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What to Remember About Jarma Lewis
If you’re looking for a deep dark secret about the Jarma Lewis cause of death, you won't find one. She was a woman who lived two distinct lives: one in front of the world as a starlet, and one as a dedicated mother and philanthropist.
Her death at 54 was a tragedy because of how much life she likely had left, but it wasn't a scandal.
How to Explore Her Work Today
If you want to honor her memory, honestly, go watch The Tender Trap. She holds her own against Sinatra, which isn't easy to do.
For those researching 1950s cinema or the history of MGM, Jarma is a perfect case study of the "Studio System" actress. You can find her filmography on most major streaming platforms that host classic movies, like TCM or Criterion.
To dig deeper into her life, you can:
- Check the Los Angeles Times archives for November 1985 for her full obituary.
- Look into the history of the Brunswick Corporation family for more on her life as Jarma Bensinger.
- Watch the 1954 version of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers to see her at the height of her MGM fame.
She lived a full, if shortened, life. And while the "natural causes" might seem like a simple answer, it reminds us that even the biggest stars are human at the end of the day.