who was joan crawfords lawyer

by Verner Lueilwitz 9 min read

Greg Bautzer

How old is Joan Crawford now?

May 28, 2013 · He became, early on, a hot commodity, dating stars such as Lana Turner, Dorothy Lamour, Rita Hayworth, Ava Gardner, and most spectacularly, Joan Crawford. Bautzer gradually became more than arm-candy. He morphed into one of Hollywood's most powerful lawyers -- a mover, a shaker, a deal maker.

What was Joan Crawford's first job?

Jun 07, 2019 · Upon Joan Crawford’s death Crawford’s NY will distributed her $2 million dollar estate providing for only two of her four adoptive children gifting Cindy and Cathy $77,000 each. ... Our Queens estate lawyers have more than 60 years of combined NY estate law experience drafting and probating the wills for families like yours in the counties ...

Was Christina Crawford adopted by Joan Crawford?

Joan Crawford Facts. 1. Her Name Was Completely Different. Joan Crawford was born a Southern belle in San Antonio, Texas, but her life was nothing like the glamorous romp we know it as today. The star’s real birth name was the far more modest “Lucille Fay LeSueur,” and her parents Thomas and Anna struggled to make ends meet for their ...

Who did Joan Crawford marry first?

Nov 25, 1999 · Her lawyer, John Ursin of Roxbury, N.J., said Crawford, in making the statements, was simply repeating what she had heard growing up from her extended family : that the girls were not twins....

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Who was the lawyer in Mommy Dearest?

Mommie Dearest (1981) - Steve Forrest as Greg Savitt - IMDb.

Who was Greg in Mommie Dearest?

Greg Bautzer Profile(Gregson Edward Bautzer)?marries 19-year-old Buffy Cobb Chapmanc. 45divorces Chapman, who will soon start dating Victor Maturec. 45has an intense and much publicized affair with Joan Crawford. Bautzer will be immortalized as "Uncle Greg" in the 1981 biographical film, Mommie Dearest.35 more rows

Who was Greg to Joan Crawford?

Greg BautzerFor nearly 50 years Greg Bautzer was one of the premier entertainment attorneys in Hollywood, with a client list that included moguls Howard Hughes, Charles Bluhdorn, Darryl Zanuck and Kirk Kerkorian. He also made a name for himself handling the high-profile divorces of Ingrid Bergman, Nancy Sinatra and Rock Hudson.Jul 12, 2013

Who was Mommie Dearest based on?

superstar Joan CrawfordChristina Crawford on life after Mommie Dearest: 'My mother should have been in jail' Her memoir of life with her abusive adoptive mother, the Hollywood superstar Joan Crawford, was perhaps the first ever to document child abuse from the point of view of the child.Jun 26, 2019

Is Mommie Dearest a real story?

Mommie Dearest is a memoir and exposé written by Christina Crawford, the adopted daughter of actress Joan Crawford. Published in 1978, it attracted much controversy for its portrayal of Joan Crawford as an unbalanced and alcoholic mother, with some family friends denouncing it as fiction and others corroborating it.

Why does Mommie Dearest hate wire hangers?

In the book, Christina says Joan beat her for having wire hangers in her closet, perhaps because, when Joan was a girl, her mother had to work at a dry cleaner's, and the star hated being reminded of her former poverty.Sep 17, 2016

How much was Joan Crawford worth?

Crawford left about $2 million in her will. On October 28, 1976, less than a year before her death, she had made a new will. She left a trust fund of $77,500 to each of her adopted twin daughters, $35,000 to her longtime friend and secretary, Betty Barker, and smaller bequests to a few other people.Feb 5, 2008

Was Joan Crawford a mean person?

Joan Crawford's reputation took a battering so ferocious that it has never fully recovered. To this day most people associate her with an infamous scene in both the book and the film in which she launches into a vicious tirade after discovering Christina's dresses hung on wire clothes hangers. 'No wire hangers!May 24, 2008

What happens in Mommie Dearest?

The relationship between Christina Crawford and her adoptive mother Joan Crawford is presented from Christina's view. Unable to bear children, Joan, in 1940, was denied children through regular adoption agencies due to her twice divorced status and being a single working person.

Who was Christina Crawford's real mother?

Joan CrawfordChristina Crawford / MotherJoan Crawford was an American actress. Starting as a dancer in traveling theatrical companies before debuting on Broadway, Crawford was signed to a motion picture contract by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer in 1925. Wikipedia

Who inherited Joan Crawford's estate?

Joan Crawford died in May 1977 with an estate valued at around $2 million. Her last will and testament stated, “It is my intention to make no provision herein for my son Christopher or my daughter Christina for reasons which are well known to them.” She left $77,500 each to her two younger daughters, Cathy and Cynthia.Jul 28, 2021

Was Mommie Dearest exaggerated?

The original poster for Mommie Dearest featured a black-and-white headshot of Faye Dunaway as Joan, her eyebrows, cheek bones, and lips wildly exaggerated into a nearly grotesque mask, under the tagline, “The illusion of perfection.” And this was back when the studio and the filmmaker thought they had a serious movie ...Sep 16, 2016

What year was A. B. Crawford born?

^ a b Crawford's year of birth is uncertain, as various sources claim 1904, 1905, 1906, and 1908. Crawford herself widely claimed 1908 (the date on her tombstone). Crawford's daughter Christina states "1904" twice in the biography Mommie Dearest, published in 1978.

Why did Joan Crawford become a star?

Joan Crawford became a star because Joan Crawford decided to become a star.". She began attending dances in the afternoons and evenings at hotels around Hollywood and at dance venues on the beach piers, where she often won dance competitions with her performances of the Charleston and the Black Bottom.

Why was Christina Crawford's mother abusive?

In November 1978, Christina Crawford published Mommie Dearest, which contained allegations that her late adoptive mother was emotionally and physically abusive to Christina and her brother Christopher because she chose fame and her career over parenthood.

Why did Joan Crawford sign with Warner Bros?

Her first film for the studio was Hollywood Canteen (1944), an all-star morale-booster film that teamed her with several other top movie stars at the time. Crawford said one of the main reasons she signed with Warner Bros. was because she wanted to play the character "Mattie" in a proposed 1944 film version of Edith Wharton 's novel Ethan Frome (1911).

What year did Joan Crawford become Queen of the Movies?

Even though Crawford remained a respected MGM actress, and her films still earned profits, her popularity declined in the late 1930s. In 1937 , Crawford was proclaimed the first "Queen of the Movies" by Life magazine. She unexpectedly slipped from seventh to sixteenth place at the box office that year, and her public popularity also began to wane. Richard Boleslawski 's comedy-drama The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937) teamed her opposite William Powell in their sole screen pairing. The film was also Crawford's last box-office success before the onset of her "box office poison" period.

When did Crawford and Gable first appear together?

Dance, Fools, Dance, released in February 1931, was the first pairing of Crawford and Gable. Their second movie together, Laughing Sinners, released in May 1931, was directed by Harry Beaumont and also co-starred Neil Hamilton. Possessed, their third film together, released in October, was directed by Clarence Brown.

When did Joan Crawford retire?

After his death in 1959, Crawford was elected to fill his vacancy on the board of directors but was forcibly retired in 1973. She continued acting in film and television regularly through the 1960s, when her performances became fewer; after the release of the horror film Trog in 1970, Crawford retired from the screen.

How did Bautzer contribute to the community?

Bautzer contributed financially by taking after school jobs, selling newspapers, performing janitorial work on yachts harbored in San Pedro, and waiting on tables in local eateries. Bautzer attended San Pedro High School where he was an exemplary student.

When did Bautzer win the National Oratorical Contest?

In 1926, he took second place in the West Coast division of the National Oratorical Contest, winning two hundred fifty dollars. In 1927, Bautzer and his mother relocated to another part of Los Angeles where she had accepted an appointment as principal of an area school.

What happened to Bautzer's mother?

Bautzer's mother, before her marriage, had been a school teacher. Bautzer's father died when he was ten years old. From a young age, Bautzer stated his intent to follow in his father's footsteps by practicing law. After his father's death, Bautzer's widowed mother returned to teaching.

When did Bautzer graduate from USC?

Bautzer graduated with a bachelor's degree from USC in June 1932. Before continuing his education at USC Law School, he took a year off from his studies to work and save money.

Where was Bautzer born?

Early life. Bautzer was born in the Los Angeles community of San Pedro, California to Edward H. Bautzer, a descendant of German immigrants, and his wife Blanche Buckhout. The elder Bautzer was active in the San Pedro community, a civic leader, political activist and attorney. Bautzer's mother, before her marriage, had been a school teacher.

Who was Marion Jahns married to?

While attending law school, Bautzer met socialite Marion Jahns; they married on January 2, 1935 and divorced in 1937. After becoming established in Hollywood, Bautzer was engaged to actresses Barbara Payton, Dorothy Lamour and Lana Turner. Turner was only 16 when she and Bautzer started to date.

Who did Bautzer marry?

He had another brief marriage to actress Buff Cobb, but the couple divorced after six months. Bautzer's best known romance was with actress Joan Crawford. Their four-year relationship was reportedly on and off, as well as publicly heated at times, with Bautzer seen by many as Crawford's "escort".

How many children did Joan Crawford have?

Married four times and unable to conceive children Joan Crawford adopted five children, Christina Crawford, Christopher Crawford, Christopher Crawford, Cindy Crawford and Cathy Crawford.

What rights does an adopted child have?

These rights include the right to intestacy, inherit where there is no will, as well as the standing to object to the probate of any NY will that excludes them.

Can an adoptee inherit from their biological relatives?

However pursuant to NY estate law, if the adoption is considered intrafamily as stated above, the adoptee can still inherit from their biological relatives as if they were never adopted. This is a little known exception to Domestic Relations Law §117 and unknown to even the most experienced of NY estate lawyers.

Is Joan Crawford's estate adopted?

Estate of Joan Crawford. Adoptions happen at various times, by various individuals and for various reasons. For example, pursuant to the NY estate law when a child is adopted by non-members of their family the child is considered adopted-out. However, if the adopted out child is adopted by a biological grandparent or any descendent ...

What happened to Joan Crawford after Steele died?

Upon Steele’s death, Crawford earned herself her some extremely powerful enemies. Pepsi wanted nothing to do with her, and all but fired her from the company. Crawford knew just what to do. Incensed, she went to gossip hound Louella Parsons and threatened to publicize her tale. Wouldn’t you know it, Pepsi quickly changed its tune and put her on the board of directors. Beware: Whatever Joan wants, Joan gets.

How old was Joan Crawford when she married Douglas Fairbanks?

the heir of Old Hollywood power couple Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford. Racily enough, Fairbanks was only 19 years old, while Crawford was about four years older. But that was just the beginning of the scandal.

What is Joan Crawford's real name?

The star’s real birth name was the far more modest “Lucille Fay LeSueur,” and her parents Thomas and Anna struggled to make ends meet for their young family.

Did Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone have children?

Though Franchot Tone and Joan Crawford were obviously unhappy on the surface, they hid more painful secrets behind bedroom doors. Crawford desperately wanted children, but although they tried twice to have them, both pregnancies ended in tragic miscarriages that left Crawford exhausted and grieving. Tone’s response, however, was even worse.

Who was Joan Crawford?

In 1928, poor little Lucille LuSuer became Joan Crawford, Hollywood bombshell. That year, Crawford starred as a flapper in Our Dancing Daughters, and her performance put her on the map as the next “It” girl after big-time starlet Clara Bow. Yet the young actress was about to find out that with big-time fame came big-time scandal.

Was Joan Crawford catty towards Bette Davis?

In truth, Crawford was always a little catty toward Bette Davis, going back decades. At the 1936 Oscars, when both women were still just ingénues, Bette had worn a dress so frumpy and informal, even her fellow attendees thought it was an insult to the Academy. Joan being Joan, she went right up to Davis, gave her best “screw you” grin, and said, “Dear Bette, what a lovely frock!”

When did Joan Crawford change to talkies?

She Blew Away Her Competition. In the late 1920s and early 1930s, Hollywood underwent the enormous change from silent films to talkies, and Joan Crawford—as always—made sure she was immaculately prepared. By 1932, she was the third most profitable star in Hollywood and had starred in a string of talkie hits.

Why did Cindy Crawford decide to go to arbitration?

Crawford has not admitted fault, he said. She decided on arbitration for economic reasons, because a trial would have been much more expensive , he said.

Where did Lalonde Crawford live?

Born in Tennessee, LaLonde lived with her mother in Los Angeles and New York City. She married at age 21 and, at 25, moved to Lehigh County because of her husband's job. Crawford, who died in 1977, won the best actress award in 1946 for her starring role in "Mildred Pierce.".

Was Mommie Dearest a movie?

The book prompted bitterness from LaLonde. "Mommie Dearest," which in 1981 was made into a movie starring Faye Dunaway, cast Joan Crawford as a child-abusing, alcoholic, sexually obsessed woman. For years, LaLonde has denounced the book as fiction.

Did Christina Crawford adopt Christina?

In addition, LaLonde alleged that Crawford harmed her reputation by implying that only Christina was legally adopted. According to the suit, Christina's implication was that Cathy, Cynthia and Christopher were bought on the black market and never legally adopted. LaLonde repeatedly, constantly and proudly represented herself as Crawford's adopted ...

Who is Joan Crawford's daughter?

Two daughters of legendary actress Joan Crawford continue to have a strained relationship, but their local court dispute appears to be over. Cathy LaLonde of Allentown, Crawford's adopted twin daughter, has been awarded $5,000 plus court costs for public statements Christina Crawford wrongfully made about her.

Was LaLonde a twin?

Christina Crawford told interviewers last year that LaLonde was not a twin, just a girl who looks like Cynthia. She made the statements while promoting a new edition of "Mommie Dearest," her best-selling 1978 book about her Academy Award-winning mother.

Who said they were raised as twins?

Christina Crawford made her statement to People Online, the Web site for People magazine. She repeated it to nationally syndicated talk show host Jim Bohannon and at four personal appearances. "They were raised as twins. She (Joan Crawford) called them twins," Christina Crawford said.

Who played Christina in the movie?

In an interview reflecting on life after her adoptive mom Joan Crawford’s violence — portrayed in the movie by Faye Dunaway — Christina said modern-day cops would have “hauled [her] off to jail for attempted murder,” according to the the UK Guardian.

Who said "Mommie Dearest" should have been tossed in the slammer?

Christina Crawford in 2013 and Joan Crawford in 1966 Getty Images (2) Joan Crawford’s daughter says her “Mommie Dearest” should have been tossed in the slammer.

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Early Life

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Joan Crawford was born Lucille Fay LeSueur on March 23, 1905, in San Antonio, Texas, to Anna Belle (Johnson) and Thomas E. LeSueur, a laundry laborer. By the time she was born, her parents had separated, and by the time she was a teenager, she'd had three stepfathers. It wasn't an easy life; Crawford worked a variety of m…
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Career

Final Years

Death and Legacy

Mommie Dearest

  • Born Lucille Fay LeSueur, of French-Huguenot, English, Dutch, and Irish ancestry in San Antonio, Texas, she was the second of the two children of Thomas E. LeSueur (born January 2, 1867, in Tennessee; died January 1, 1938), a construction worker, and Anna Bell Johnson (born November 29, 1884, in Texas; died August 15, 1958), and later Mrs. Anna Cas...
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in Popular Culture

  • Early career
    Under the name Lucille LeSueur, Crawford began dancing in the choruses of traveling revues, and was spotted dancing in Detroit by producer Jacob J. Shubert. Shubert put her in the chorus line for his 1924 show, Innocent Eyes, at the Winter Garden Theatre on Broadway in New York City. Whil…
  • Self-promotion, and early successes
    Growing increasingly frustrated over the size and quality of the parts she was given, Crawford embarked on a campaign of self-promotion. As MGM screenwriter Frederica Sagor Maas recalled, "No one decided to make Joan Crawford a star. Joan Crawford became a star because Joan Cra…
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External Links

  • On February 2, 1970, Crawford was presented with the Cecil B. DeMille Award by John Wayne at the Golden Globes, which was telecast from the Coconut Grove at The Ambassador Hotelin Los Angeles. In 1970, she also spoke at Stephens College in Columbia, Missouri, where she had been a student for two months in 1922. Crawford published her autobiography, A Portrait of Joan, co-…
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Overview

  • On May 6, 1977, Crawford gave away her Shih Tzu, Princess Lotus Blossom, because she was too weak to continue to care for her. Crawford died on May 10, 1977, at her apartment in Lenox Hill, New York City, of a myocardial infarction (heart attack). A funeral was held at Campbell Funeral Home, New York, on May 13, 1977. In her will, which was signed on October 28, 1976, Crawford …
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Early life

  • In November 1978, Christina Crawford published Mommie Dearest, which contained allegations that her late adoptive mother was emotionally and physically abusive to Christina and her brother Christopher because she chose fame and her career over parenthood. Many of Crawford's friends and co-workers, including Van Johnson, Ann Blyth, Myrna Loy, Katharine Hepburn, Cesar Romero…
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Personal life

  • Pictures of Crawford were used in the album artwork of The Rolling Stones album Exile on Main St.(1972). Four years after her death, Blue Ă–yster Cult released the song "Joan Crawford" as part of their album Fire of Unknown Origin (1981). Crawford was portrayed by actress Barrie Youngfellow in the 1980 film The Scarlett O'Hara War. The alleged feud between Crawford and B…
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Death

  1. Joan Crawford at the Internet Broadway Database
  2. Joan Crawford at IMDb
  3. Joan Crawford at the TCM Movie Database
  4. Joan Crawford at AllMovie
See more on en.wikipedia.org

See also

Gregson Edward Bautzer (April 3, 1911 – October 26, 1987) was an American attorney who represented such individuals as Ginger Rogers, Ingrid Bergman and Joan Crawford, Kirk Kerkorian, Howard Hughes and William R. Wilkerson.

External links

Bautzer was born in the Los Angeles community of San Pedro, Californiato Edward H. Bautzer, a descendant of German immigrants, and his wife Blanche Buckhout. The elder Bautzer was active in the San Pedro community, a civic leader, political activist and attorney. Bautzer's mother, before her marriage, had been a school teacher. Bautzer's father died when he was ten years old. From a young age, Bautzer stated his intent to follow in his father's footsteps by practicing law. After hi…