The Messed-Up Life and Death of Sue Lyon (Lolita)

When she was only 14 years old, Sue Lyon starred in Stanley Kubrick’s Lolita, based upon the Russian novel of the same name. The film followed a man that became romantically obsessed with his stepdaughter, portrayed by Sue. James Mason portrayed the stepfather. Despite the controversy, the film was a massive success. Many thought that Sue was going to be the next big Hollywood star. However, the impact that the film had on her life turned out to be much more negative than it was positive.

▬Contents of this video▬
00:00 - Intro
00:32 - Body
08:12 - Outro

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While the problematic relationship that Lolita depicted was meant to be ridiculed by audience members, producer James Harris was actually mirroring it behind the scenes of the film with its underage star. James and Sue became romantically involved sometime during the film’s production when Sue was somewhere between the ages of 14 and 16.

The extent of James and Sue’s relationship has never been fully revealed, and the two never married. James went on to direct several feature films, and Sue continued starring in features up until retiring from acting in 1980. Although James and Sue never married, Sue did marry and divorce five times over the course of her life and had one daughter.

Sue suffered from mental health problems during her life and blamed much of them on the experiences she had behind the scenes of Lolita. Most of her marriages only lasted a year, and she maintained a tumultuous relationship with her only daughter up until the time of her death in 2019. Sue was 73 years old when she died, and her health had apparently been suffering for many years. Join Facts Verse as we explore the tragic life and death of Sue Lyon.

The Tragic Life and Death of Sue Lyon (Lolita)

[dennisbraulick]

Sue Lion showed what I've always complained about, and advocated against how the Motion picture production code did not really protect the child actors or actresses..James Harris was never investigated or charges with rape of a minor...sad this style of treatment caused a lot of child actresses and actors emotional and drug use..

[MrPensive]

I met her in an L.A. unemployment line in the late 70s. She was in the line next to mine munching on a peanut bar and I recognized her. She was petite and very cute. "Hey, you're Sue Lyon!" I said. She made a goofy happy face and giggled in a muffled way. "What are *you* [a famous actress] doing here, " I asked? She replied, "The same thing as you." I didn't know what to say then, my line moved ahead and I thought I should probably leave her alone. I remember finishing up first and thought about waiting for her outside, but decided that would be creepy (and induce a scream?), so I just went on my way. My enduring impression is that she might have been tipsy or on drugs.

[malvavisco]

“Russian novel of the same name.” Lolita is NOT a Russian novel. Nabokov was Russian born but then moved around, and had been living in the US for many years when he wrote Lolita. He was a brilliant writer in Russian and English, and wrote Lolita *in English.* He did the Russian translation himself. However, as a work, Lolita is not a Russian novel. It’s an English-language one since that’s its original language.

[EFDUP-os]

I’ve owned the Kubrick collection for years and just watched Lolita for the first time… She did such a great job at such a young age. She was outshining people in every scene with her talent…

[newkingdom]

There was a 1997 remake starring Dominique Swain, Jeremy Irons, and Melanie Griffith. So Hollywood did actually "go there" again.

[suefox]

Mental illness is a terrible thing to deal with in a family. I feel very sorry for everyone involved. Sue was beautiful. May she rest in peace.

[davidwarren]

From my understanding, the book was meant to portray her step-father as the bad guy, who merely tries to convince us he's a good guy. However, this films seems to have romanticised their "relationship". Worse still, it seems that the poor actress was getting abused for real behind scenes, just like her character.

[ngelvenom]

The movie romanticized the novel, the men who abused teenage sue should’ve went to prison and anyone who enabled her abuse

[geraldjensen]

Whatever went on in her personal life, Lyon at fourteen gave a performance for the ages in LOLITA. She mastered an extremely complex, difficult role with more artistry and maturity than older, veteran actresses could have. If she was a one-hit wonder, it was one hell of a great one hit!

[piaparadis]

The film, " Lolita" is my absolute favorite film! All the actors are superb in their roles and Sue Lyon absolutely shined as Lolita! I hope she finally found the peace in death that she never could seem to find while she was alive. I hope she is happy, safe and free from all worries and pain. RIP dear Sue, and thank you for the joy you brought to me and so many with your beauty and talent! Love, Pia Paradis 🍭💞

[avejoe]

Sue was a very beautiful actress. Lolita is a magnificent movie. All respects to Sue Lyon.

[angelaholmes]

I feel so sorry for sue Lyon for what she went through in her life

[kathrynoneill]

I had no idea she was only 14. I thought she was playing 14 but was a young adult. Hollywood is gross they even made a remake. In the 90s again with a child.

[tjable]

So sad bipolarism had such a negative effect on her life and relationships. Praying she's at peace now.

[alfredfowler]

I thought she was extremely gorgeous and spirited.

[TheJuRK]

It was such an iconic role. And she was very good in Night of the Iguana, holding her own with Richard Burton, Ava Gardner, and Deborah Kerr.
It's too bad she couldn't find another big role after that.

[cathyaudette]

Sounds very similar to the sad life and death of Vivien Leigh. Sometimes, beauty is a curse. May Sue rest in Peace. She certainly was just lovely.

[jovanweismiller]

You kept referring to 'Lolita' as a 'Russian novel'. It was written in English, by an American citizen, living in the US. True, Nabokov was born in Russia, but he hadn't lived there for 37 years when the novel was published, so I don't think it really counts as a 'Russian novel'

[leoluna]

They should have never made a movie on Lolita based on that novel. They especially shouldn't have used under age 18 actress for roles that are sensual, sexual, alluring, or any role similar to that of lolita.

[susankeating]

I’m not one for watching many films but I do recall seeing Lolita many years ago & thought it was great. She was a very good actress at such a young age & anything with James Mason is always worth watching.