Kathryn Crosby, Actress and Bing Crosby’s Widow, Dies at 90
Kathryn Crosby, Actress and Bing Crosby’s Widow, Dies at 90, Kathryn Crosby Obituary, Kathryn Crosby, a Texas-born beauty queen and aspiring actress who famously set aside her film career after marrying the legendary Bing Crosby, passed away on Friday at her home in Hillsborough, California. She was 90 years old. Her family’s publicist, Harlan Boll, confirmed the news of her death.
Kathryn Crosby Obituary
Meeting Bing Crosby
Kathryn Grant, as she was known before her marriage, first met Bing Crosby in 1953 on the Paramount lot in Los Angeles. At the time, she was a new contract player rushing to deliver petticoats while heading to a tennis game. Bing, already an American icon, noticed her and playfully asked, “What’s your rush, Tex?” This chance encounter marked the beginning of their love story.
Their courtship was anything but straightforward. Despite their age difference—Kathryn was just 19 and Bing was 49—the couple faced numerous challenges, including Bing’s long absences and complex romantic history. They finally wed in a Las Vegas courthouse in 1957.
Kathryn Career and Family Life
Early Acting Career
Before her marriage, Kathryn worked steadily in Hollywood, landing both uncredited roles and supporting parts in films such as Rear Window (1954) and Anatomy of a Murder (1959). She even starred as a princess in The Seventh Voyage of Sinbad (1958), showcasing her talent in the fantasy genre.
Marriage and Motherhood
After marrying Bing and starting a family, Kathryn stepped back from her acting career at his urging. Together, they had three children: Harry, Mary Frances, and Nathaniel. Despite her husband’s traditional views on marriage, Kathryn pursued her interests, including obtaining a nursing degree in 1963.
Bing’s demanding lifestyle and her struggles with household management led to tensions. Kathryn wrote candidly in her memoir, My Life With Bing, about the challenges she faced in balancing family life with her aspirations.
Kathryn Crosby Personal Reflections and Legacy
Life After Bing Crosby
Bing Crosby passed away in 1977, leaving Kathryn to reflect on their life together. She noted that she found his love letters revealing, highlighting his unintentional male chauvinism. Despite their complexities, Kathryn maintained a deep affection for him, stating, “I never felt that Bing was much older than 14.”
In her later years, Kathryn married Maurice William Sullivan, an educator, in 2000. He became a trustee of the Crosby estate, but tragically passed away in 2010 due to a car accident.
Survived by Family
Kathryn is survived by her three children and several grandchildren. Harry, now an investment banker, Mary, an actress known for her role in Dallas, and Nathaniel, a golfer, continue to honor their mother’s legacy.
Kathryn Crosby’s life story is a testament to the complexities of love, family, and personal ambition in the shadow of fame. Her journey from aspiring actress to devoted mother and widow of a Hollywood legend leaves a lasting impact on all who knew her.
Kathryn Crosby Cause of Death
The cause of Kathryn Crosby’s death has not been publicly disclosed in the available information. She passed away peacefully at her home in Hillsborough, California. If there are updates or further details regarding her health or circumstances surrounding her passing, they may be shared by her family or representatives in the future.
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Kathryn Crosby, Actress and Bing Crosby’s Widow, Dies at 90