Elizabeth Eden
| Elizabeth Eden | |
|---|---|
 Elizabeth Debbie Eden |
|
| Born | August 19, 1946 |
| Died | September 29, 1987 (aged 41) |
Elizabeth Debbie Eden (born Ernest Aron; August 19, 1946 – September 29, 1987) was an American transsexual woman whose boyfriend John Wojtowicz attempted to rob a bank to pay for her sex reassignment surgery. The incident was made into the 1975 film Dog Day Afternoon.[1] The character Leon Shermer, played by Chris Sarandon, is loosely based on Aron.[2]
Eden, then known as Ernest Aron, and Wojtowicz were married on December 4, 1971 in Greenwich Village.[3]
At the time of Wojtowicz's attempted robbery of a Chase Manhattan bank branch in Brooklyn, New York, on August 22, 1972, she was in a psychiatric institution, following a series of suicide attempts. Eden was not previously aware of his plans. After the failed heist, Wojtowicz was sentenced to 20 years, although he was released in April 1978; while imprisoned, he sold the movie rights to the story for $7,500 and subsequently was able to help finance Eden's sex reassignment surgery.[citation needed]
Eden, born in Ozone Park, Queens, died of AIDS-related pneumonia, aged 41, in Rochester, New York.[3] Her personal papers and photographs were donated posthumously to the National Archive of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender History at the Lesbian Gay Bisexual & Transgender Community Center on June 14, 1990.
References [edit]
- ^ Elizabeth Eden, Transsexual Who Figured in 1975 Movie, New York Times, October 1, 1987
- ^ Photos, L. (2003). "The Dog and the Last Real Man". Journal of Bisexuality 3 (2): 43–68. doi:10.1300/J159v03n02_04.
- ^ a b Ernest Aron Became Elizabeth Eden - AIDS Kills Woman Behind 'Dog Day', Los Angeles Times, September 30, 1987
External links [edit]
- Liz Eden (Ernest Aron) Papers via LGBT Community Center New York
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