Kathryn Crosby, known for her acting career and marriage to legendary entertainer Bing Crosby, has died at the age of 90.
According to the New York Post, Crosby passed away on Friday night at her home in Hillsborough, California, surrounded by her family. A representative for the Crosby family confirmed her death to Entertainment Weekly.
Olive Kathryn Grandstaff was born in West Columbia, Texas, in November 1933. She began her acting career in the 1950s and appeared in several notable films of the era, including Operation Mad Ball, The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, Anatomy of a Murder, and The Big Circus. She used the stage names Kathryn Grant and Kathryn Grandstaff during her early career.
In the 1960s, Kathryn largely stepped away from acting to pursue other interests. She became a registered nurse in 1963 after studying at Queen of Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, showcasing her diverse talents and dedication to helping others.
Kathryn's personal life garnered significant attention when she married Bing Crosby in October 1957. The couple tied the knot in a Las Vegas church when she was 23 and Bing was 54. Their 30-year age difference raised eyebrows, but Kathryn remained unfazed by the public's reaction.
In a 2014 interview with Smashing Interviews magazine, Kathryn reflected on their relationship:
We kept meeting each other, and then we'd plan to get married, and he would have a kidney stone or something dreadful like that. We kept waiting, and I kept working. Later on, we finally managed to get married, which was a secret.
Despite her retreat from Hollywood, Kathryn occasionally returned to the entertainment world. She made guest appearances on "The Bing Crosby Show" in the 1960s and even hosted her own local daytime show, "The Kathryn Crosby Show," in the 1970s.
Following Bing's death in 1977, Kathryn reignited her performing career. She took on the lead role in the 1966 Broadway musical revival of "State Fair," demonstrating her enduring talent and passion for the stage.
Kathryn's philanthropic efforts were also noteworthy. For 16 years, until 2001, she hosted the charitable Crosby National Golf Tournament in North Carolina, continuing her late husband's legacy of giving back to the community.
Kathryn and Bing's marriage produced three children: Harry, Mary, and Nathaniel. Their family life was often in the public eye, with the Crosby clan appearing together in various television specials and events.
In 2000, Kathryn found love again and married Maurice William Sullivan. Tragically, their time together was cut short when Sullivan died in a car accident in the Sierra Nevada in 2010 at the age of 85.
Kathryn Crosby's life was a testament to her versatility and resilience. She transitioned from a promising young actress to a devoted wife and mother, later returning to the stage and dedicating herself to charitable causes.
Her passing marks the end of an era in Hollywood history. Kathryn is survived by her three children and several grandchildren, leaving behind a legacy that spans the entertainment world and her personal dedication to family and philanthropy.
