The actress and widow of Bing Crosby, Kathryn Grant Crosby, passed away on September 20. She was 90, and died of natural causes at her Hillsborough, California estate.
She was born Olive Kathryn Grandstaff on November 25, 1933, in Houston, Texas. She became known in the 1950s and 1960s, largely through her work in film and television. Kathryn is best known for her marriage to legendary singer and actor Bing Crosby, whom she married in 1957. Her relationship with Bing Crosby played a pivotal role in her public life, but she also had her own significant career.
Kathryn started her career in Hollywood after earning a degree in drama from the University of Texas at Austin in 1955. Her early acting roles were often credited under the name Kathryn Grant, a stage name she adopted at the beginning of her career. She appeared in a number of films in the 1950s, often in smaller roles in Westerns, comedies, and musicals. One of her biggest film roles came in the 1956 adventure classic The 7th Voyage of Sinbad, where she played Princess Parisa.
Kathryn also appeared with Bing Crosby in a few projects, including the films Anatomy of a Murder (1959) and Operation Mad Ball (1957). These collaborations helped her gain a higher profile, although she largely stepped back from acting after their marriage to focus on raising their three children, Harry, Mary, and Nathaniel Crosby. The couple remained married until Bing’s death in 1977. After Bing died, Kathryn stayed active by maintaining her late husband’s legacy and with philanthropic efforts.
Throughout her career, Kathryn made appearances on television, including roles on popular shows like The Ford Show and The Bing Crosby Show, where she appeared as herself or in guest-starring roles. Her charming screen presence and beauty made her a favorite of many audiences in the mid-20th century. In addition to her acting, Kathryn Crosby was an author. She wrote several books, including My Life with Bing, which gives an intimate look at her life with the famous entertainer.
Kathryn Crosby is survived by their three children and many grandchildren.
Rest in Peace.
