Bern also helped Jean with her career. He convinced Hughes to loan Jean to MGM. Bern then had Irving Thalberg buy Jean's contract from Hughes. He advised newly signed Jean to star in the comedy Red-Headed Woman. Though she didn't want another trashy woman role he convinced her that this time it would be different because she would be playing for laughs. Bern's instincts were on the mark. The movie was a hit with audiences and critics and Jean won new fans with her newly recognized talent for comedy.
Jean and Bern married July 2, 1932. Though Jean truly loved her husband, he was deeply troubled. His depression and obsession with death became increasingly worse. On September 5, 1932, he shot himself in the head with a gun. Before the police arrived, the studio stepped in to do damage control. They did not want their star in the middle of a scandal.
Possible reasons for Bern's death ranged from speculation that he had underdeveloped genitalia, to rumors that the common-law wife he that had discarded had visited him that night. A cryptic note that was purported to be a suicide letter did not help to clear up the mystery.
Even today, no one is exactly sure what happened that night. Whatever the truth may be, Jean blamed herself for Bern's death. However, the public didn't blame her and their sympathy and enduring support made Jean the first star to survive a scandal with her career stronger than ever.
Coming up in part two:Jean becomes the most popular star in Hollywood and she meets the love of her life.
Thank you to www.silverscreensirens.com for permission to use the gorgeous pictures of Jean.
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