Claudine Longet, a French singer and actress infamous for the 1976 shooting of Olympic skier Spider Sabich, has passed away at the age of 84, as reported by the Telegram.
Early Career and Rise to Fame
Born in Paris on January 29, 1942, Longet began her career at 10 in a production of “The Turn of the Screw.” Moving to Las Vegas in 1960, she worked as a showgirl at the Tropicana’s Folies Bergère revue, where she met American singer Andy Williams. The couple married in 1961 and had three children. Longet often appeared on “The Andy Williams Show” and made guest appearances on several TV shows, including “McHale’s Navy” and “Dr. Kildare.”
In 1967, she released her first album, “Claudine,” under A&M Records, selling over a million copies. Longet's fame grew when she sang “Nothing to Lose” in Blake Edwards’ 1968 film “The Party.”
The Infamous Incident
Longet's life took a dramatic turn on March 21, 1976, when she shot her boyfriend, Spider Sabich, in his Colorado home. She claimed the .22-caliber gun, purchased by Sabich’s father, discharged accidentally. Sabich died en route to the hospital. Longet faced reckless manslaughter charges and potential prison time of up to 10 years. However, due to issues with evidence handling, she was convicted of a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide in 1977, receiving two years’ probation, a $250 fine, and a 30-day jail sentence.
Sabich’s family pursued a $1.3 million civil suit, which was settled out of court with Longet agreeing not to publicly discuss Sabich or the incident.
Later Life and Personal Relations
After her divorce from Williams in 1975, Longet and her children lived with Sabich. In 1985, she married her defense attorney Ronald Austin, and the couple relocated to Hawaii. Longet and Williams maintained a close connection with Robert F. Kennedy and his family, even naming their son after the senator.
The couple were present at Kennedy's 1968 primary victory speech and joined his family at the hospital after his assassination. Longet had three children with Williams: sons Christian and Bobby and daughter Noelle, who died in 2023.
Legacy and Impact
Claudine Longet's legacy is marked by her transition from a celebrated performer to a figure of public intrigue due to the tragic incident with Sabich. Her life story remains a blend of artistic success and personal controversy, continuing to captivate public interest.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/news/claudine-longet-dead-shot-olympian-spider-sabich-1236749043/
