Kathryn Crosby, wife of late Hollywood star Bing Crosby, dies at age 90
With every passing year, links to Hollywood's grand past continue to dwindle, and the recent death of the widow of a famous star who had a significant career in her own right serves as a sad reminder of that fact.
As Variety reports, Kathryn Crosby, the widow of legendary crooner Bing Crosby, who was herself an accomplished actress and singer, died Friday at her California home at the age of 90.
Kathryn Crosby dies at 90
The sad news was announced by a representative of the family, as the outlet noted, and Mrs. Crosby's death was attributed to natural causes.
While known to many for her famous marriage, Kathryn Crosby's film credits spanned over 20 productions.
Among her most notable roles were those in Anatomy of a Murder, The Wild Party, Operation Mad Ball, and The 7th Voyage of Sinbad.
Film aficionados would be quick to note that Mrs. Crosby often performed under the pseudonyms Kathryn Grant and Kathryn Grandstaff, however.
Her career also included numerous appearances on Bing Crosby's Merrie Olde Christmas television shows, and she also hosted a San Francisco-based talk show.
A life well-lived
Mrs. Crosby was born in Texas back in 1933, eventually graduating from the University of Texas and winning a beauty contest for which she was awarded a screen test with actor William Holden.
She began writing for her hometown newspaper, penning column focused on Hollywood news and personalities, a job which ultimately led to an initial meeting with her future husband.
In 2014, Kathryn remarked of her relationship with Bing Crosby, “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.”
While she had a career of her own in showbusiness for several years, Mrs. Crosby eventually became a registered nurse as well as a teacher in the 1960s, solidifying the well-rounded life she enjoyed for so long.
Though Bing Crosby died in 1977 at the age of 74, Kathryn Crosby is survived by her three children and several grandchildren.
