Biography
A former student nurse, Kathryn Grant came to films by way of one of the many beauty contests she'd been entering since her teen years. Most of her film roles were decorative (notably her miniaturized princess in Seventh Voyage of Sinbad [1957]), but on occasion Grant was given an opportunity at a meatier role; she was very effective as the pivotal trial witness in
Otto Preminger's
Anatomy of a Murder (1959). In 1957, Kathryn became the second wife of
Bing Crosby, and subsequently the mother of his "second family" (including future actress
Mary Crosby). In addition to her many Christmas-special appearances, Kathryn Grant hosted the syndicated TV series
Fight for Life (1967), and during the 1970s moderated a local LA talk show. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide