Edie Sedgwick (April 20, 1943 - November 15 1971) is best known as a star of underground films made by artist Andy Warhol in the 1960's.

She was born in Santa Barbara, California as Edith Sedgwick to a troubled and eccentric establishment family which was seriously blighted by alcoholism and mental illness. Later in life, Sedgwick claimed to have experienced Censored page as a child. As a young woman Sedgwick suffered with clinical depression and anorexia nervosa.

In 1964, Sedgwick moved to New York to pursue a career in modelling. She appeared in TIME, Life and Vogue between 1963 and 1965. In 1965 she met Andy Warhol and quickly became his favourite 'Warhol superstar', featuring in many of his underground films including Poor Little Rich Girl , Vinyl, Beauty #2 , the Chelsea Girls and Diaries, Notes and Sketches. It was during this period that Sedgwick began using illegal drugs, particularly amphetamines.

She became Warhol's Girl of the Year during 1965 when she accompanied him everywhere in the New York social scene. During this period the pair would often dress alike and Sedgwick frequently called herself 'Mrs Warhol'. The friendship did not last beyond 1966 when Warhol and Sedgwick made an acrimonious public split.

Following her departure from Warhol’s circles, Sedgwick began living at Hotel Chelsea where she became involved with Bob Dylan. Dylan’s friends convinced Sedgwick to sign up with Albert Grossman, Dylan's manager. While involved with Dylan, Sedgwick was introduced to LSD.

In 1966, Sedgwick began a tumultuous relationship with Bob Neuwirth. During this relationship she became dependent on heroin and barbituates. The relationship ended in 1967. In April 1967 Sedgwick began shooting on Ciao! Manhattan an underground movie in which she was to star. After shooting some footage in New York, work on the film was abandoned due to budget and legal problems.

Sedgwick’s rapidly degenrating health saw her return to family in California and spend time in several different psychiatric institutions. In August 1969, she was admitted to the Cottage Hospital in Santa Barbara where she met Mike Post whom she married. Electroconvulsive therapy treatments were administered extensively and several efforts at drug rehabilitation were made.

Shooting resumed on Ciao! Manhattan in 1970 and was completed in 1971.

Sedgwick died in November 1971 from barbituate poisoning. Her death was ruled a suicide/ drug overdose.

The Cult wrote a song about her life called "Edie (Ciao Baby)" which was on their "Sonic Temple " album released in 1989.

The Velvet Underground song Femme Fatale (on the album The Velvet Underground and Nico) is also reported to be about Sedgwick.

"Like a Rolling Stone" and "Leapord-Skin Pillbox Hat", both songs by Bob Dylan, were purportedly written about Sedgwick.

Filmography

• Space 1965
• Screen Test #2 (1965)
• Vinyl (1965)
• Restaurant (1965)
• Poor Little Rich Girl (1965)
• Beauty #2 (1965)
• Outer and Inner Space (1965)
• **** aka the Four Star Movie (1965)
• The Chelsea Girls (1967)
• Diaries, Notes and Sketches (1970)
• Ciao! Manhattan (1972)

Links

• Edie Sedgwick fan site http://www.rams.demon.co.uk/esmain.htm/
• All Movie Guide http://www.allmovie.com/cg/avg.dll/

Bibliography

• Victor Bockris: Andy Warhol
• Michael Opray: Andy Warhol. Film Factory.
• Jean Stein: Edie an America Biography.
• Jean Stein: Edie. American Girl
• Andy Warhol. The Philosophy of Andy Warhol