Where is Jane Wyman?

Myself | 6/10/2004 | Myself

[Nowhere Man]

I have one question to ask which has been kind of bugging me. Where is Jane Wyman? I know she was Ronald Reagan's first wife and IIRC, she is the mother to Maureen and Michael (adopted) but I haven't seen hide nor hair of Jane Wyman. Is she going to any of the funeral speeches?

[yianni]

http://www.meredy.com/janewyman/wyman13.jpg

[Spirited]

Yes, politics aside she raised fine children in Maureen and Michael. I congratulate her and admire her for that.

[mombonn]

First wives don't go to husbands funerals.

Though I'm sure there are many replies to this comment, I must say, I'll be at my ex-husband's funeral, should he go first.

My children will be there mourning, and will need me.

If I die first, he will be there for them as well.

[Jaded]

Ain't the internet grand? Maureen Reagan

[DumpsterDiver]

Do you remember the one he told about telling all the guys in the local cafe, his plans to go to college? It was just too funny!

I haven't read that one.

Was Grizzard the writer who once had his column run as just a piece white space because some sports team had lost a game?

[Clinging Bitterly]

I used to listen to Micheal's radio show in it's earlier days. He was always very quick to correct anyone who referred to Nancy as his mother. It seemed to me he didn't have a lot of love for Nancy (though it may have been just his showing fierce loyalty to his mother, which is not a bad thing). If my impression was correct, after what they have all been through the last several years, I would hope their relationship would have changed for the better.

One thing I know for sure - Ronnie reaped what he sowed in the love and care he received from his wife and children. Nancy is the brightest star here for sure, but we should all be so blessed to have family like that in our declining years, they all deserve much admiration..

[FITZ]

Lewis Grizzard (A Great American) said no greater love and respect can be shown for a man than ALL his ex-wives show up for his funeral.:>)

I wonder if either Hillary or Monica will show up for Bill's funeral.

[pittsburgh gop guy]

Reagan only said in his autobiography, "Ronald Reagan: An American Life," "Our marriage produced two wonderful children, Maureen and Michael. But it didn’t work out and, in 1948, we were divorced."


Sigh. Yes, I always thought that the mother of two of your children would be worth more than one mention in your autobiography - and was disappointed that he did mention her except in one line. I think Nancy may have nixed any other mentions of her - or maybe President Reagan did not want to write anything more about his first wife. We will never know.

as for wyman being a staunch Catholic - this is from her bio at imdb:

Spouse
Fred Karger (1963 - 1965) (divorced)
Fred Karger (1952 - 1954) (divorced)
Myron Futterman (1936 - 1938) (divorced)
Ronald Reagan (26 January 1940 - 1948) (divorced) 2 children


Guess she kept a good divorce lawyer on retainer - or at least got a frequent customer discount.

I thought she died about 10 years ago - good for her that she is still alive. I did not think that people with diabetes lived that long.

[walford]

I have to say that between the three of them [Ron, Nancy and her], Jane Wyman was by far the more talented actress. I defy anyone to watch this movie and not get a lump in the throat. Wyman played a deaf-mute, but was able to convey more emotion/thought w/o speaking than any contemporary actor could even dream of -- and with no 'special effects.'

Johnny Belinda (1948)
"Jane Wyman won a Best Actress Oscar for her strong performance in this touching drama of a deaf-mute girl (Wyman) and a doctor (Lew Ayres) who works closely with her. The story (based on Elmer Harris's play) seems intent on dumping one grievance after another onto the poor character, from rape to community pressure to give up the resultant baby, plus a terrible loss sustained somewhere in there as well. But Wyman and director Jean Negulesco manage to make the film more than the sum of its perils, and the texture and atmosphere of the town is particularly effective." --Tom Keogh

[Keith in Iowa]

>>I did not think that people with diabetes lived that long.

People with diabetes can live just as long as people who don't have it if they take care of themselves.

[ladyinred]

Actually wasn't Gerald Ford divorced, or was it Betty?

[rodeodrive1]

Jane Wyman left Reagan for LEW AYRES, gag!!!! She was known to be a player, and was married 4 times. The only marriage that lastest for ANY length of time was to.... Reagan. She is also known all over Hollywood to be a horrible shrew, and I personally know she abused a TV Reapairman!!!!

[Jaded]

In 1942, Betty married William Warren, a Grand Rapids salesman. The marriage ended in divorce in 1947.

Betty Bloomer and Gerald Ford met in 1947 and married on Oct. 15, 1948. They had four children. The children were, in order of birth, Michael Gerald, John Gardner, Steven Meigs, and Susan Elizabeth.

Elizabeth Ann (Betty)Bloomer Ford

[FreedomPoster]

Lewis Grizzard was a Southern classic. Pick up one of his books, they're hilarious. Titles like "Elvis is Dead and I'm Not Feeling So Good Myself".

[walford]

...She is also known all over Hollywood to be a horrible shrew...

Jane Wyman's talent is all I was writing about. There is another actress who comes to mind who has been known to have been difficult from time to time. I highly recommend watching Wyman's ACTING in "Johnnie Belinda" or this actress in "All This and Heaven, Too" and enjoy talent that is as good as any there has ever been.

[dougherty]

Great photo. They made a cute couple.

[dougherty]

Spouse Fred Karger (1963 - 1965) (divorced) Fred Karger (1952 - 1954) (divorced)

Fwiw, Karger was a voice coach at 20th century fox that Marilyn Monroe was desperately in love with but he refused to marry her. I wonder if any of the classic movie channels will be airing any of Reagan's old movies soon? I never thought I'd say this, but I would love to see Bedtime for Bonzo.