Randolph Scott was the guy your grandfather probably wanted to be. He was lean, rugged, and had this quiet dignity that made every Western he starred in feel a little more important. But when the dust settled on his 62-film career in the desert, he didn't just fade away into some Hollywood myth. He lived a long, surprisingly quiet life that eventually came to an end in 1987.
Honestly, it wasn't some dramatic shootout or a tragic accident. Life caught up with the cowboy. The official Randolph Scott cause of death was heart failure, specifically linked to complications from cardiovascular disease and lung ailments. He was 89 years old.
The Quiet Decline of a Hollywood Giant
By the time the late 1980s rolled around, Scott had been retired from the screen for twenty-five years. He left at the top. Most actors stay until the phone stops ringing, but Randolph basically just said, "I'm done," after Ride the High Country in 1962.
He spent his final years in Beverly Hills, but he wasn't doing the Hollywood party scene. He was playing golf. A lot of it. He was also an incredibly savvy investor—some say the richest man in Hollywood at one point. But even with all that wealth and the best doctors money could buy, the human body has a shelf life.
Heart Problems and Pneumonia
In the months leading up to March 1987, Scott’s health began a slow, stubborn slide. It wasn't one single event. It was a combination. He was battling chronic heart problems—what doctors often categorize under the umbrella of cardiovascular disease.
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His lungs weren't doing much better. He suffered from recurring bouts of pneumonia. For an 89-year-old, pneumonia isn't just a chest cold; it’s a serious fight. His heart, already weakened, simply couldn't keep up with the strain of the lung infections.
He passed away in his sleep at his home in Beverly Hills. No fanfare. No cameras. Just a quiet exit for a man who made a career out of being the strong, silent type.
The Rumors vs. The Reality
You’ve probably heard the stories. People love to gossip about the "Old Hollywood" era, especially the relationship between Randolph Scott and Cary Grant. They lived together in a house they nicknamed "Bachelor Hall."
Because of this, some modern internet sleuths try to link his death to some "hidden" lifestyle or secret tragedy. They want a scandal. But the medical records and the reports from the time are pretty boring. In a good way.
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- He died of old age.
- He was married to his wife, Patricia Stillman, for 43 years.
- He was a deeply religious man, close friends with Reverend Billy Graham.
There was no secret illness. No hidden medical mystery. Just the natural progression of a life that spanned nearly a century.
A Funeral Fit for a Gentleman
Scott might have died in California, but his heart was always in North Carolina. He grew up in Charlotte, and that’s where he wanted to go back to.
His funeral was held at the St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Charlotte. It wasn't a massive, bloated Hollywood spectacle. It was dignified. Billy Graham actually presided over the service, which tells you a lot about the kind of circles Scott ran in toward the end. He was buried at Elmwood Cemetery, tucked away in the city where his journey began.
Why We Still Talk About Him
It’s rare to see a star walk away when they’re still "bankable." Scott did. He realized that the Western genre was changing, and he didn't want to play a version of himself that was tired or irrelevant.
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He took care of his money. He took care of his family. And eventually, his heart just gave out.
If you're looking for lessons in how Scott lived and died, it's basically this:
- Retire while you're ahead. He never became a caricature of himself.
- Diversify your life. He was an actor, but he was also a golfer and a businessman.
- Keep your private life private. He stayed out of the tabloids, which is why his legacy remains so clean today.
Key Facts to Remember
Randolph Scott died on March 2, 1987. He didn't have a "tragic" end. He had a full one. If you want to honor his memory, skip the gossip columns and go watch The Searchers or The Tall T. That’s where the real Randolph Scott still lives—squinting into the sun, hand on his holster, waiting for the next move.
To truly understand the impact of his career, look for the Ranown Westerns directed by Budd Boetticher. These films are considered some of the best examples of the genre and showcase Scott's unique ability to play a hero with a dark, complicated edge. You can find many of these classics on streaming platforms specializing in vintage cinema or through the Criterion Collection.