Kathryn Crosby Obituary, Death – Kathryn Crosby, actress and widow of the legendary Bing Crosby, has passed away at the age of 90. Crosby died peacefully of natural causes on Friday night at her home in Hillsborough, California, surrounded by her loving family. The news was confirmed by family representative B. Harlan Boll, who told *Entertainment Weekly* that Crosby’s final moments were spent in the company of her children and grandchildren, marking the end of an extraordinary life.
Born Olive Kathryn Grandstaff in West Columbia, Texas, in 1933, Kathryn Crosby began her rise to fame after winning a beauty contest that led to a screen test with famed actor William Holden. Her talent and charm soon earned her roles in Hollywood, and she launched her career under the name Kathryn Grant in 1953, following her graduation from the University of Texas at Austin.
Crosby’s early career saw her appear in small but memorable roles, including a part in Alfred Hitchcock’s *Rear Window* (1954), where she acted alongside major stars like Charlton Heston, Bob Hope, and Jimmy Stewart. Despite her growing success in film, it was her connection to Hollywood’s beloved crooner Bing Crosby that would define much of her life.
Kathryn and Bing Crosby met on the set of *White Christmas* in 1954, where she was conducting interviews for a column she wrote about the film industry for her hometown newspaper. The two fell in love and were married in 1957, after a courtship full of humorous obstacles. Reflecting on their relationship in a 2014 interview with *Smashing Interviews*, Kathryn remarked, “We kept waiting, and I kept working. Later on, we finally managed to get married, which was a secret.”
As a married couple, Kathryn and Bing Crosby became one of Hollywood’s most iconic pairs. Together, they appeared in Bing’s popular Christmas television specials, with Kathryn making occasional guest appearances on *The Bing Crosby Show* in the 1960s. Although she largely stepped back from acting after 1959, Kathryn made notable appearances in *The 7th Voyage of Sinbad* (1958) and *Anatomy of a Murder* (1959), two standout films in her career.
Despite retreating from the limelight, Kathryn never fully left the public eye. She became a registered nurse in 1963, balancing her passion for health care with family life and occasional television appearances. In addition to her professional work, she shared her experiences in two autobiographies—*Bing and Other Things* in 1967, and *My Life With Bing* in 1983—providing a candid glimpse into her life with the famous singer.
After Bing Crosby’s death in 1977, Kathryn dedicated herself to preserving his legacy, hosting the charitable Crosby National Golf Tournament in Bermuda Run, North Carolina, for 16 years. Her efforts were deeply appreciated by fans of the crooner, and her presence in these public events became a way for the world to continue to connect with Bing’s memory.
In 2000, Kathryn found love again, marrying Maurice William Sullivan. The couple shared a decade together before Sullivan’s sudden death in a car accident in 2010. Throughout these personal losses, Kathryn remained resilient, a pillar for her family and an enduring figure in the history of entertainment. Kathryn Crosby leaves behind three children from her marriage to Bing—Harry, Mary Frances, and Nathaniel—as well as numerous grandchildren. Her life, rich with love, family, and cherished memories, will be remembered by fans and friends alike. She embodied grace both on and off the screen, leaving behind a legacy of kindness, resilience, and a lifelong dedication to the arts.