Joan Crawford Family Tree: The Story Behind Mildred Pierce

Lucille Fay LeSueur, known as Joan Crawford (1904–1977), born 23 March 1904 in San Antonio, Texas, USA, and died 10 May 1977 in New York City, was Hollywood's most-driven star — Academy Award Best Actress (Mildred Pierce 1945); Grand Hotel (1932), Rain (1932), Sudden Fear (1952), Johnny Guitar (1954), What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? (1962) with Bette Davis; Presidential Medal of Freedom.

The Family's Roots: A Texas Family

Father left before she was born.

Her Parents

Father: Thomas E. LeSueur — French-Canadian labourer; abandoned family before Joan's birth.

Mother: Anna Belle Johnson LeSueur (1884–1958).

Her Stepfather

Henry J. Cassin — musician.

Her Brother

Hal Hays LeSueur (1903–1963) — actor.

Her 4 Husbands

Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (m. 3 June 1929, div. 12 May 1933) — actor.

Franchot Tone (m. 11 October 1935, div. 11 April 1939) — actor.

Phillip Terry (m. 21 July 1942, div. 25 April 1946) — actor.

Alfred Steele (m. 10 May 1955, until his death 19 April 1959) — Pepsi-Cola CEO.

Her 4 Adopted Children

Christina Crawford, born 11 June 1939 — daughter; wrote Mommie Dearest (1978) memoir.

Christopher Crawford, born 15 October 1943 — son.

Cathy Crawford LaLonde, born 13 January 1947 — daughter (twin).

Cynthia "Cindy" Crawford Jordan, born 13 January 1947 — daughter (twin).

The Crawford Family Tree at a Glance

Biological Father: Thomas E. LeSueur (abandoned).

Mother: Anna Belle Johnson (1884–1958).

Brother: Hal LeSueur (1903–1963).

Husbands: Douglas Fairbanks Jr. (1929-33); Franchot Tone (1935-39); Phillip Terry (1942-46); Alfred Steele (1955-59, died).

Adopted Children: Christina (b. 11 June 1939); Christopher (b. 15 October 1943); Cathy and Cindy (twins, b. 13 January 1947).

Joan Crawford:

  • Born 23 March 1904, San Antonio
  • Started dance chorus at 15
  • MGM contract 1925
  • Grand Hotel (1932) — breakthrough
  • Left MGM 1943; Warner Bros.
  • Academy Award Best Actress: 1946 (Mildred Pierce)
  • Pepsi-Cola board (widow of CEO Alfred Steele) 1959+
  • Died: 10 May 1977, NYC — heart attack at 73
  • Mommie Dearest (1978): daughter Christina's memoir accusing Joan of abuse (turned into 1981 film)

What the Crawford Family Story Teaches Us

A biological father who abandoned the family. Four marriages, the last widowed after 4 years. Four adopted children including twins — daughter Christina wrote the infamous Mommie Dearest. A career that produced Best Actress Oscar and a scandal-defined legacy.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Joan story carries the same lesson. Some legacies are shaped as much by a daughter's memoir as by an Oscar.

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