Anthony Quinn had the good fortune to marry the boss’s daughter.


 In 1937 he married Katherine DeMille, an adopted daughter of famed director Cecil B. DeMille. Her father had died fighting on the Canadian side, at Vimy Ridge, during WWl. Her mother was dying of a terminal illness and travelled to America to leave the young child with relatives but died before she could carry out her task and Katherine was sent to an orphanage. As it turned out Cecil’s wife was a director of the orphanage and Katherine made such an impression on her that she was adopted by the DeMilles. As well as one natural child they also had another adopted boy.


By 1937 Anthony had made his first big motion picture in a DeMille production, The Plainsman. Katherine was already an established star. None of this hurt his career. The couple would divorce in 1965. Before that Anthony became the father of 7 children. Unfortunately they were not all shared with Katherine who gave birth to 5 of them. He was a womaniser and his attitude seemed to be, ‘take me as you find me.’ He divorced Katherine, who put up with a lot from him, because he wanted to be with his other family.

Long before that though there was heartbreak for the couple. It would be similar to the fate of Lou Costello’s son.


The proud parents with young ChristopherThey would often visit with Cecil who had W C Fields as a neighbour. Fields was known for hating children but made an exception for the Quinn’s first born, Christopher. Fields had a pool with numerous toy boats which the young boy liked to sail.


During one visit, aged only 2, he slipped away to the pool. It was completely unattended and he slipped in and drowned. Obviously the family was devastated, as was Fields. He destroyed every boat and filled in his pool. After that Katherine gave up regular work, taking only a very occasional role.


Following their divorce she never remarried and died of Alzheimer’s aged 83 in 1995. After her death her brother said, ‘’She was extremely lovable and beautiful, a terrific combination. Was she ill-used by Quinn? Absolutely, but not in a way that she resented. She was always in love with him. I don't think Quinn treated Katherine fairly.’’ A bit of an understatement there.

Quinn went on to have several wives and numerous children. At the time the child did not always match his then wife He continued as he had started.

Just a few weeks before the accident Katherine visited Fields at the pool. It was for a publicity shot for a Field’s movie which featured two younger actors.


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