Ginger Rogers Family Tree: The Story Behind Hollywood's Dance Partner

Virginia Katherine McMath, known as Ginger Rogers (1911–1995), born 16 July 1911 in Independence, Missouri, USA, and died 25 April 1995 in Rancho Mirage, California, was Hollywood's most-decorated dance partner — 10 films with Fred Astaire (1933-1949) plus 63 solo films; Academy Award Best Actress for Kitty Foyle (1940); other classics: Top Hat (1935), Swing Time (1936), Bachelor Mother (1939), Stage Door (1937).

The Family's Roots: A Missouri Screenwriter's Family

Mother was a screenwriter for Fox studios; father left before Ginger's birth.

Her Parents

Father: William Eddins McMath — electrical engineer; separated from Lela before Ginger's birth; died 1925.

Mother: Lela E. Owens McMath Rogers (1891–1977) — screenwriter, novelist, drama coach.

Her Stepfather (Second Husband of Lela)

John Logan Rogers — Lela's second husband; Ginger took his name.

Her Husbands (5)

Jack Pepper (m. 29 March 1929, div. July 1931) — vaudeville performer.

Lew Ayres (m. 14 November 1934, div. 13 March 1940) — actor (All Quiet on the Western Front).

Jack Briggs (m. 16 January 1943, div. 7 September 1949) — Marine.

Jacques Bergerac (m. 7 February 1953, div. 7 July 1957) — French actor.

William Marshall (m. 16 March 1961, div. 1971) — director.

No Children.

The Rogers Family Tree at a Glance

Father: William Eddins McMath (d. 1925) — engineer.

Mother: Lela E. Owens Rogers (1891–1977) — screenwriter.

Stepfather: John Logan Rogers.

Husbands: Jack Pepper (1929-31); Lew Ayres (1934-40); Jack Briggs (1943-49); Jacques Bergerac (1953-57); William Marshall (1961-71).

No children.

Ginger Rogers:

  • Born 16 July 1911, Independence, Missouri
  • Vaudeville from age 14
  • Broadway (Girl Crazy 1930) — introduced by Gershwin brothers
  • Hollywood 1930; Flying Down to Rio (1933) paired her with Fred Astaire
  • 10 films with Fred Astaire (1933-1949)
  • Academy Award Best Actress: 1940 (Kitty Foyle)
  • 73 films total
  • Died: 25 April 1995, Rancho Mirage — congestive heart failure at 83

What the Rogers Family Story Teaches Us

A missing biological father who died in 1925. A screenwriter mother who guided her career. A stepfather whose name she took. Five marriages, no children. A career that produced 10 iconic Fred Astaire pairings and one Best Actress Oscar.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Ginger story carries the same lesson. Some careers do everything Fred Astaire did — "backwards and in high heels".

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