An American actress and singer who starred in several films and Broadway shows during the 1920s and 1930s, known for her charming on-screen presence and powerful vocals.
During her heyday, Lee was a talented performer in her own right, starring in numerous films, musicals, and stage productions. Born Wilma Winifred Wyatt on November 4, 1909, in Harriman, Tennessee, she adopted the professional name Dixie Carroll before eventually changing it to Dixie Lee to avoid confusion with other actresses.
Lee's big break came in 1928 when she won an amateur singing contest in Chicago, which led to a job as a singer at a roadhouse called College Inn. It was there that she was discovered by a talent scout and eventually landed a part in the traveling company of the musical Good News. This led to a film contract and her subsequent name change to Dixie Lee.
In 1930, Lee married Bing Crosby, who was then a relatively unknown singer, at the Church of the Blessed Sacrament in Hollywood. At the time, Lee was the more famous of the two, and their marriage was considered a high-society event. However, the marriage was marked by early problems, and the couple separated just six months after their wedding. Despite this, they eventually reconciled and remained together for several more years.
Throughout her career, Lee appeared in numerous films, including Nothing but the Truth, Manhattan Parade, and Aloha Oe. She also starred in several stage productions, including the hit musicals Good News and Follow Thru.
Although Dixie Lee's career was cut short by her untimely death, she left a lasting impact on the entertainment industry. Her marriage to Bing Crosby, in particular, marked a pivotal moment in the life of one of the most beloved entertainers of the 20th century.
Lee's story serves as a fascinating footnote in the history of Hollywood's Golden Age, a testament to the tumultuous marriages, fleeting fame, and untimely tragedy that often accompanied the glamorous lives of early Hollywood stars.
52 Years Old
A pioneering African American basketball player and coach who broke racial barriers in the sport, known for his impressive playing career and later coaching success.
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A Welsh-Australian singer-songwriter known for his folk-infused pop music and hit singles like "Hello, Goodbye" and "Sadie the Cleaning Lady". He was a popular artist in the 1960s and 1970s.
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