Birth Name: Lucile Fay LeSueur (also spelled “Lucille” with two “L's” after the “i”). Following her mother's marriage to Henry Cassin in 1909, Joan's name became "Lucile Cassin." As a child, teenager and young adult, she frequently used the name "Billie Cassin," before returning to her birth name, Lucille LeSueur, when beginning her dancing career in her late teens. Her name officially became "Joan Crawford" following her employment with MGM in 1925. "Joan Crawford" was chosen by MGM as her stage name via a magazine contest in "Movie Weekly" magazine. "Joan Crawford" became her legal name from 1925-onward. Some of Joan's close friends, who knew her prior to 1929 (such as Douglas Fairbanks, jr.), called her "Billie" throughout her life.
Date of Birth: March 23rd, 1906
(1904 and 1905 are also cited as birth years, with 1908 being Joan's official, and legal, year of birth. However, documentation and fact-based timelines have determined that 1906 is the correct year of birth, with 1904 being a physical impossibility) See this website’s birth year debunking section for complete documentation.
Parents: Anna Bell Johnson McConnell LeSueur Cassin Hough, biological mother; Thomas LeSueur, biological father; Henry Cassin, step-father (1909-1917); Leonard A. Hough, step-father (June 20, 1923-July 1924).
Siblings: Hal LeSueur (born 09/03/1903; died May 3rd, 1963); Daisy McConnell (half-sister) (born in 1900, died November 23rd, 1904)
Adult Height: 5’4 1/2 (This is according to Joan in various interviews and applications which requested biographical information)
Eye Color: Blue
Natural Hair Color: Varied. As a child and young adult, Joan's natural hair color was auburn brown. With age, it changed to salt and pepper gray, with light brown streaks throughout. Throughout her life, Joan dyed her hair various colors, including: blonde, brunette, shades of red and strawberry blonde.
Religious Affiliation: Christian and Christian Scientist
As a child, Joan was raised in the Presbyterian Church while her family lived in Lawton, Oklahoma. Joan and her family were heavily involved in church activities in Lawton. When the family moved to Kansas City in 1917, Joan was enrolled in St. Agnes Academy, which was a Catholic boarding school, however, there is no documented evidence that Joan was Catholic. By the early 1940s, Joan became a Christian Science, however, did not always practice. While Joan was always a very spiritually religious person throughout her life, and largely kept her religious views to herself, she became much more involved in Christian Science during the 1970s and in her final years. (Note: Some people confuse Christian Science with Scientology. These are two entirely separate religions.)
Political Affiliation: Unknown/unaffiliated
Contrary to popular belief, Joan did not publicly endorse any political candidate or party. There is evidence that she was personal friends with both Democratic and Republican politicians, such as Barry Goldwater. Over the years, Joan also attended social gatherings and functions for both parties.
There is documentation that Joan privately supported Richard Nixon’s presidential campaign in 1960, 1968 and 1972, however, Joan did not wish to make her support of Nixon public. During a May 1972 interview Joan denounced celebrities who use their position to promote politicians. However, during the interview Joan praised then-Californian Governor Ronald Reagan when she was specifically asked her opinion of Reagan. Because Joan typically held her political opinions to herself, her actual party affiliation (if she had one, i.e. independent) is unknown.
(Note: There is a quote on the internet attributing Joan’s political affiliation as a Democrat. The quote in question has been shared largely among Wiki quote websites, which can be edited by anyone. There is no printed or recorded interview of any such quote by Joan. In this Webmaster's opinion, the quote was maliciously fabricated by a person wishing to align Joan's political views with their own.)
Favorite Color(s): Joan’s favorite color varied over the years, but her noted favorites were: "Wedgewood blue," green, and pink. Joan once stated in an interview that her favorite color to wear was green.
Husbands and Marriage Dates:
Douglas Fairbanks, Jr. (June 3rd, 1929 - May 12th, 1933) (The marriage lasted 3 years and 11 months)
Franchot Tone (October 11th, 1935 - April 11th, 1939) (The marriage lasted 3 years and 6 months)
Phillip Terry (July 21st, 1942 - May 25th,1946) (The marriage lasted 3 years and 10 months)
Alfred Steele (May 10th, 1955 - April 19th, 1959) (The marriage lasted 3 years and 11 months)
(Note: Contrary to popular belief, none of Joan's marriages actually passed the four-years mark. Joan's longest marriage was to Alfred Steele. Steele passed away 20 days before their 4-year marriage anniversary. This is followed closely by Douglas Fairbanks, Jr., the couple divorced 21 days before their 4-year wedding anniversary. Joan's shortest marriage was to Franchot Tone, which lasting 3 years and 6 months.)
Adopted Children:
Christina Crawford, born June 11th, 1939
Christopher Crawford (#1; a.k.a. David Gary Deathrage), born June 3, 1941; died July 6, 2024
Christopher Crawford (#2; a.k.a. Phillip Terry, jr.), born October 15th, 1942; died September 22nd, 2006
Cathy Crawford LaLonde, born January 13th, 1947; died January 10th, 2020
Cynthia Crawford Jordan, born January 13th, 1947; died October 14th, 2007
(Note: All of Joan's four children were legally adopted. Visit this page for in-depth research into each adoption.)
Date of Death: May 10th, 1977
Cause of Death: According to Joan’s official death certificate, her cause of death was cardiac arrest (heart attack). However, at the time of her death, Joan was suffering from cancer (most likely pancreatic cancer based upon her health symptoms preceding her death). Therefore, Joan’s death was most likely due to heart failure, with cancer being the contributing factor.