Actors & Entertainers · Early 20th Century
Orson Welles’s Last Words
“Don't worry about it.”— Orson Welles, October 10, 1985
Who Was Orson Welles?
Orson Welles directed Citizen Kane, widely considered the greatest film ever made, at age 25. He also caused mass panic with his 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast.
The Final Moments
Welles was found dead at his Los Angeles home. He had been typing at his desk the night before.
Are These Words Verified?
Welles was found dead alone at his typewriter. The quote appears in some biographies attributed to his last phone conversation, but sourcing is unclear and likely reconstructed or apocryphal.
Sources
- biography Rosebud: The Story of Orson Welles by David Thomson
- biography Various biographical accounts
Legacy
Citizen Kane's techniques in cinematography and storytelling revolutionized filmmaking worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What were Orson Welles’s last words?
“Don't worry about it.”
How did Orson Welles die?
Orson Welles died on October 10, 1985 at the age of 70. Cause of death: Heart attack.
Were Orson Welles’s last words documented?
Welles was found dead alone at his typewriter. The quote appears in some biographies attributed to his last phone conversation, but sourcing is unclear and likely reconstructed or apocryphal.