As a lifelong movie buff and biography enthusiast, I find Kathryn Crosby‘s story to be one of resilience, determination, and love. Her journey from uncredited roles to starring opposite Hollywood legends like James Stewart is truly inspiring.
Actress Kathryn Crosby, who graced the silver screen in movies like “Operation Mad Ball,” “The 7th Voyage of Sinbad,” and “Anatomy of a Murder,” passed away at the age of 90. Notably, she stopped her acting career when she became the wife of the iconic Hollywood figure Bing Crosby.
On Friday evening, Crosby passed away tranquilly at her residence in Hillsborough, California, with her loved ones present, as confirmed by a family representative.
As Kathryn Grant, her stage name, a native of Houston, appeared in five films directed by the renowned Phil Karlson, such as “Tight Spot” (1955), “The Phenix City Story” (1955) and “The Brothers Rico” (1957).
In another movie titled “Mister Cory,” directed by Blake Edwards and released in 1957, she played the younger sister of Martha Hyer’s character. This film also starred Tony Curtis. Additionally, she appeared as a developing trapeze artist in “The Big Circus” (1959), which featured Victor Mature.
Following the conclusion of her role as Princess Parisa, the damsel in distress, in Ray Harryhausen’s fantasy film The 7th Voyage of Sinbad (1958) in Spain, she got married to Bing on October 24, 1957, at a church in Las Vegas. At that time, she was 23 years old, while he was 54.
She expressed her satisfaction in marrying an older man as she stated in Richard Grudens’ 2003 book, Bing Crosby: Crooner of the Century. “When I wed Bing,” she said, “he was already established, his personality was fixed. Essentially, I knew what I was signing up for. With a younger man, there’s uncertainty about how he might evolve over time.
Kathryn largely paused her acting career to focus on family life after having three kids with the well-known singer and award-winning actor, Harry (born 1958), Mary (born 1959), and Nathaniel (born 1961).
Regardless, she frequently appeared alongside her husband and children during Christmas specials, on ABC’s variety show The Hollywood Palace, as well as in Minute Maid orange juice advertisements, embodying the ideal of the American family. It is worth noting that Bing had a long-term role as a spokesperson for Minute Maid and was also one of its shareholders.
Following his heart attack on a golf course in Spain at the age of 74 on October 14, 1977, Kathryn subsequently performed in plays such as “Same Time, Next Year” and “Charley’s Aunt”. She also collaborated with John Davidson and Andrea McArdle in the 1996 Broadway revival of “State Fair”.
Originally named Olive Kathryn Grandstaff at her birth in Houston on November 25, 1933, she spent her formative years in the town of West Columbia, Texas.
Shortly following her placement as first runner-up in the Miss Texas beauty contest in 1952, Kathryn decided to move to Hollywood with assistance from Roy Rogers’ agent, Art Rush. Upon arriving in Tinseltown, she was swiftly offered a contract by Paramount Studios after trying out for roles alongside William Holden during screen tests.
In 1953, while penning a weekly column titled “Texas Girl” for local papers and temporarily employed at Paramount’s wardrobe department, she encountered Bing for the first time. This encounter took place as he was wrapping up production on “Little Boy Lost“.
A few months down the line, they encountered each other once more when she was guiding tourists around the set of White Christmas. On that occasion, she had a chat with him for her article.
Bing Crosby was wedded to actress-dancer Dixie Lee from the year 1930 until her passing due to ovarian cancer at age 42 in 1952. Together they had four boys: Gary, Dennis, Philip, and Lindsay.
Over a span of three years, Bing and Kathryn picked multiple potential wedding dates, but each time, the wedding was delayed because Bing was in romantic relationships with not one, but two of his fellow actors – Grace Kelly and Inger Stevens.
Kathryn initially started her acting journey by appearing in unacknowledged roles in films like “So This Is Love” (1953), “Casanova’s Big Night” (1954) and “Rear Window” (1954). However, Paramount Studios decided to terminate her contract in 1954.
Unwavering, she graced the screens in seven films during 1955, as well as an episode of “Father Knows Best” on NBC, all while returning to Texas that year to finalize her fine arts degree. (In 1963, she completed her nursing education.)
In the movies “Operation Mad Ball” (1957), she portrayed a nurse and Jack Lemmon’s romantic interest, “The Brothers Rico,” where she was James Darren’s mobster’s wife, and “Anatomy of a Murder” (1959) directed by Otto Preminger, in which she played the daughter of an assassinated innkeeper alongside James Stewart.
During her marriage to Bing, she made a guest appearance in a 1966 episode of both ABC’s and Bing Crosby Productions’ Ben Casey. In the ’70s, she chose to remain near their home outside San Francisco by hosting a morning talk show on KPIX-TV, while also working with the American Conservatory Theater during her spare time.
In the same interview following his passing, Kathryn remarked, “Bing had a knack for sweet-talking girls into wanting to clean houses instead, if you will.” She continued, “He might not have realized it at the time, but he certainly exhibited some old-fashioned, chauvinistic tendencies!” she chuckled.
She authored three distinct volumes recounting her life with him: the first one, titled “Bing and Other Matters“, was published in 1967, followed by “Living with Bing” in 1983, and finally “My Final Years With Bing” in 2002.
In the year 2000, she tied the knot with Maurice William Sullivan, a long-term associate who was initially employed by her and Bing to tutor their children. Over time, he assumed the role of trustee for the Crosby family’s estate.
In November 2010, a tragic car accident occurred in the Sierra Nevada, claiming the life of Sullivan, who was 85 years old, and leaving Kathryn severely injured. While driving, they veered off the road, causing their vehicle to roll over and hit a large rock.
Remaining family members encompass her offspring: Harry, a successful investment banker; Mary, a well-known actress famed for her portrayal of Kristin Shepard, J.R. Ewing’s shooter on Dallas; and Nathaniel, an accomplished amateur golfer.
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2024-09-21 19:25