Liputan6.com, Jakarta - The entertainment world was once again in mourning with the news of the death of legendary actress and singer Claudine Longet in May 2026 at the age of 84.
The once-top celebrity passed away at her home in Aspen, Colorado.
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Her passing was confirmed by her nephew, Bryan Longet, who paid tribute via social media on May 14, 2026.
Born in Paris, France, on January 29, 1942, Claudine Longet was known as a multi-talented icon of the 1960s and 1970s.
Although the exact cause of death has not been officially announced, initial reports indicate she died of natural causes.
A Multitalented Star in the Entertainment World
Claudine Longet's career began as a dancer at the Folies Bergère in Las Vegas, a step that led her to the American entertainment scene.
Her meeting with legendary singer Andy Williams, whom she later married on Christmas Day 1961, opened many doors.
Their marriage led to three children: Noelle, Christian, and Robert.
Longet frequently appeared on her husband's television show, The Andy Williams Show, further catapulting her to fame.
She also showcased her acting talents in popular television adventure series such as McHale's Navy, Twelve O'Clock High, Combat!, The Name of the Game, The Rat Patrol, Hogan's Heroes, and Alias Smith and Jones.
The highlight of her acting career also included her role in the 1968 film The Party, in which she starred opposite Peter Sellers and sang the iconic song "Nothing to Lose."
Longet also enjoyed success in the music industry, recording several singles and five albums for A&M Records between 1966 and 1970.
The Spider Sabich Shooting Tragedy
On March 21, 1976, the world was shocked by a tragic incident involving Claudine Longet and her boyfriend, Olympic skier Vladimir "Spider" Sabich.
The shooting happened at their home in Aspen, Colorado, and quickly became a major celebrity news event.
Longet claimed that the gun accidentally went off while Sabich was demonstrating how it worked.
Sabich, who was 31 at the time, was shot once in the abdomen and lost a significant amount of blood.
He died en route to Aspen Valley Hospital shortly after 5:00 p.m., with Longet at his side.
Longet and Sabich met four years earlier, in 1972, at a pro-celebrity event in Bear Valley, California, and it soon blossomed into a romantic relationship.
The Impact on Claudine Longet's Life
Claudine Longet's trial was highly publicized, with her claim that the gun went off accidentally repeated.
However, the prosecution's case faced significant obstacles due to procedural errors made by the Pitkin County Sheriff, such as the unauthorized collection of Longet's blood sample and the seizure of her diary.
According to prosecutors, Longet's blood sample showed traces of cocaine, and the contents of her diary reportedly contradicted her claims that her relationship with Sabich was amicable.
Furthermore, the gun used in the incident was improperly handled by someone who was not a firearms expert.
The autopsy report even indicated that Sabich's position when shot was inconsistent with a gun demonstration scenario.
Nevertheless, the jury ultimately convicted Longet of the lesser charge of misdemeanor negligent homicide.
She was sentenced to two years probation, fined $250, and sentenced to 30 days in jail (she can serve most of her sentence on weekends).
She later married her defense attorney, Ronald D. Austin, in 1985, and they reportedly still live in Aspen as of 2023.