Lana Turner
Lana Turner was a Hollywood legend known for her beauty, talent, and tumultuous personal life. She had several marriages throughout her lifetime, each with their own unique story. This article will look closer at Lana Turner’s spouse and love life.
Lana Turner Spouse
1. Artie Shaw
Lana Turner’s first marriage was to the famous jazz clarinetist Artie Shaw. They married in 1940 when she was just 19, and he was 30. The marriage was short-lived, lasting only a year. Artie was known for his intense work schedule, and his desire for perfection strained their relationship.
2. Joseph Stephen Crane
Lana Turner’s second husband was Joseph Stephen Crane, a restaurateur who was 17 years her senior. They married in 1942, and their marriage lasted for eight years. They had a daughter, Cheryl, together. Their marriage was reportedly volatile, with allegations of infidelity on both sides.
3. Bob Topping
Lana Turner’s third marriage was to millionaire Bob Topping. They married in 1948, and their relationship was seen as a way for Lana to escape her tumultuous marriage to Joseph Stephen Crane. The marriage was short-lived, lasting only four years.
4. Lex Barker
Lana Turner’s fourth husband was actor Lex Barker, best known for his role as Tarzan. They married in 1953, and the marriage lasted for only three years. Barker was reportedly abusive towards Turner, and their marriage ended in a highly publicized divorce.
5. Fred May
Lana Turner’s fifth husband was Fred May, a real estate executive. They married in 1960 and were married for four years. They had a daughter, Cheryl, together. Their marriage was reportedly one of the most stable of Lana’s marriages.
6. Robert Eaton
Lana Turner’s sixth and final marriage was to horse breeder Robert Eaton. They married in 1965, and their marriage lasted for only seven months. They had met while Eaton was still married to his previous wife, which caused controversy in the press.
Lana Turner had a tumultuous personal life, with six marriages and several highly publicized divorces. Her love life was often a source of drama and controversy, but she continued to captivate audiences with her beauty and talent throughout her career.
The Early Years of Lana Turner’s Career
Lana Turner was born Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner on February 8, 1921, in Wallace, Idaho. Her parents, John Virgil Turner, and Mildred Frances Cowan, were struggling young adults trying to make ends meet during the Great Depression. When Lana was nine, her parents divorced, and her mother moved with her to Los Angeles for a better life.
Lana’s stunning looks and natural charisma soon caught the eye of talent scouts, and at just sixteen years old, she was signed by Warner Bros. Studios. Her early roles were mostly small in B-movies, but she quickly gained popularity with audiences for her stunning beauty and natural acting ability.
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Here is some information that you could include:
| Name | Lana Turner |
| Date of Birth | February 8, 1921 |
| Place of Birth | Wallace, Idaho, United States |
| Date of Death | June 29, 1995 |
| Place of Death | Century City, California, United States |
| Age at Death | 74 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years Active | 1937-1985 |
| Notable Films | “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” “Peyton Place,” “Imitation of Life” |
| Spouses | Artie Shaw (1940-1940), Joseph Stephen Crane (1942-1944), Bob Topping (1948-1952), Lex Barker (1953-1957), Fred May (1960-1962), Robert Eaton (1965-1969) |
| Children | Cheryl Crane |
Lana Turner’s Rise to Fame
In 1941, Lana Turner starred in the film “Ziegfeld Girl,” a major box-office success that helped launch her career as a leading lady. Over the next several years, she starred in a series of popular films, including “Johnny Eager,” “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” and “The Bad and the Beautiful,” for which she received an Academy Award nomination.
Throughout the 1940s and 1950s, Lana Turner was one of Hollywood’s most popular and iconic actresses. She had a unique ability to portray complex and nuanced characters with grace and authenticity, earning her the respect of audiences and critics alike.
Personal life of Lana Turner a Hollywood actress who led a life marked by scandal, tragedy, and personal struggles.
Childhood
Lana Turner was born in Wallace, Idaho, on February 8, 1921. Her parents, John Virgil Turner, and Mildred Frances Cowan, divorced when she was nine, and her mother moved with her to Los Angeles for a better life. Lana’s childhood was marked by poverty and instability as her mother struggled to make ends meet as a single parent.
Affairs and Scandals
Throughout her career, Lana Turner was known for her striking beauty and allure, often leading to romantic entanglements and public scandals. She had several high-profile affairs, including one with billionaire Howard Hughes and another with actor Sean Connery. In 1957, she began dating Johnny Stompanato, a notorious gangster and associate of the infamous mobster Mickey Cohen.
The Tragic Death of Johnny Stompanato
In 1958, Lana Turner’s relationship with Stompanato took a tragic turn when her daughter, Cheryl Crane, fatally stabbed him during an altercation in their home. The incident was highly publicized and led to a sensational trial. Crane was acquitted of murder charges after claiming she acted in self-defense to protect her mother from Stompanato’s abusive behavior.
Later Relationships and Marriage
After the death of Stompanato, Lana Turner’s personal life remained tumultuous. She had several more high-profile relationships, including one with actor Lex Barker and another with businessman Fred May. In 1960, she married actor and producer Robert Eaton, but the marriage was short-lived and ended in divorce two years later.
Personal Struggles and Health Issues
Throughout her life, Lana Turner struggled with personal demons and health issues. She battled alcoholism and depression, and in 1958, she attempted suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills. She also suffered from several health issues, including arthritis and high blood pressure.
Lana Turner’s life was marked by scandal, tragedy, and personal struggles, but her talent and beauty made her a true legend of the silver screen. Her relationships and marriages were often tumultuous, and the tragic death of Johnny Stompanato remains a defining moment in her life. Despite these struggles, Lana Turner’s legacy as an actress and humanitarian continues to be celebrated and remembered today.
Legacy and Impact
Lana Turner’s career had a significant impact on Hollywood and popular culture. Her talent and beauty helped to shape the image of the classic Hollywood leading lady, and her performances continue to inspire new generations of actors and actresses.
In addition to her acting career, Lana Turner was a dedicated philanthropist, working with several charitable organizations. Her legacy as an actress and humanitarian continues to be celebrated and remembered today.
Awards and Achievements of Lana Turner
Lana Turner was one of the most celebrated actresses of the golden age of Hollywood, known for her beauty, talent, and on-screen charisma. Throughout her career, she received numerous awards and accolades for her contributions to film and entertainment.
Academy Award Nominations
Despite her enduring popularity and critical acclaim, Lana Turner was never awarded an Academy Award. However, she was nominated for two Oscars during her career. Her first nomination came in 1958 for her role in “Peyton Place,” where she played a small-town woman struggling with personal and family issues. Her second nomination came in 1960 for her role in “Imitation of Life,” where she played a struggling actress and single mother.
Golden Globe Awards
Lana Turner won one Golden Globe Award during her career for her performance in “Peyton Place” in 1958. She was also nominated for several other Golden Globe Awards, including for her roles in “Imitation of Life” and “The Bad and the Beautiful.”
Other Awards and Honors
In addition to her Oscar and Golden Globe nominations, Lana Turner received numerous other awards and honors throughout her career. In 1946, she was awarded the Photoplay Gold Medal Award for her outstanding contribution to the film industry. In 1950, she was awarded the Look Magazine Achievement Award, and in 1951, she was named “Queen of the Movies” by the Motion Picture Herald.
Legacy and Impact
Despite never winning an Academy Award, Lana Turner’s impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry remains enduring. Her beauty, talent, and charisma continue to inspire new generations of actors and actresses, and her roles in classic films like “The Postman Always Rings Twice” and “Imitation of Life” are still celebrated and remembered today.
Lana Turner may not have won as many awards as some of her contemporaries, but her impact on the entertainment industry cannot be overstated. Her performances in classic films and her enduring legacy as a Hollywood icon continue to inspire and captivate audiences today, more than 20 years after her death.
How did Lana Turner die?
Lana Turner died on June 29, 1995, at 74. The cause of death was listed as acute myocardial infarction, which is a heart attack. However, the circumstances surrounding her death were suspicious, and there were rumors of foul play. Some have speculated that she may have been murdered by her boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato, who had a history of violence toward her. However, these claims were never proven, and the official cause of her death remains a heart attack.
Some interesting facts about Lana Turner
- Lana Turner was discovered at a soda fountain. In 1936, 16-year-old Lana was sitting at a soda fountain in Hollywood when she was approached by a talent agent who asked if she was interested in a career in movies.
- Her real name wasn’t Lana Turner. She was born Julia Jean Mildred Frances Turner, but her name was changed to Lana Turner when she signed her first movie contract.
- Lana Turner had eight marriages throughout her life, including to millionaire Bob Topping and actor Lex Barker.
- She was known for her beauty and was nicknamed “The Sweater Girl” because of her appearance in a tight-fitting sweater in the film “They Won’t Forget.”
- In 1958, her daughter Cheryl Crane stabbed and killed Lana’s abusive boyfriend, Johnny Stompanato. Cheryl was acquitted of the murder on the grounds of justifiable homicide.
- Lana Turner was one of the highest-paid actresses in Hollywood during the 1940s and 1950s, earning up to $25,000 per week.
- She appeared in over 50 films throughout her career, including the classic films “The Postman Always Rings Twice” and “Imitation of Life.”
- Despite her success in Hollywood, Lana Turner never won an Academy Award, although she was nominated twice for Best Actress.
- She was one of the first actresses to take control of her career, negotiating her contracts and refusing to be typecast in certain roles.
In addition to her acting career, Lana Turner was a successful businesswoman, launching her clothing and perfume line in the 1950s.
Conclusion
Both triumph and tragedy marked Lana Turner’s career, but her talent and beauty made her a true legend of the silver screen. Her performances in classic films like “The Postman Always Rings Twice” and “The Bad and the Beautiful” continue to inspire new generations of actors and actresses. Her legacy as an actress and humanitarian will continue to be celebrated for years.
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FAQs
Lana Turner is perhaps best known for her role in the 1946 film “The Postman Always Rings Twice,” She starred opposite John Garfield as a femme fatale involved in a murder plot.
Yes, Lana Turner had one daughter, Cheryl Crane, born in 1943. Cheryl was involved in a high-profile murder case in 1958 when she stabbed and killed Turner’s abusive boyfriend.
No, Lana Turner was never married to Ronald Reagan. However, she did date the future president briefly in the early 1940s.
No, Lana Turner did not serve in World War II. However, she made numerous appearances at USO shows and other events supporting the war effort.
No, Lana Turner was never awarded an Academy Award, although she was nominated twice for Best Actress.
Lana Turner’s last film was “W.B., Blue and the Bean,” released in 1989.
