Dixie Lee
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Dixie Lee (November 4, 1911 - November 1, 1952) was an American actress, dancer and singer.
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[edit] Early life
Wilma Winifred Wyatt was born in Harriman, Tennessee. As Dixie Lee, she became a popular blonde actress and singer in several films of the 1920s and 1930s, beginning when she was a teenager. She recorded and released a popular song with her husband called "A Fine Romance" in 1936.
[edit] Family Life
- She married the popular singer and actor, Bing Crosby, and they tied the knot on September 29, 1930, when she was only 18 years old. They had four sons: Gary (1933 - 1995), Dennis (1934 - 1991), Phillip (1934 -2004) and Lindsay (1938 - 1989).
Although initially happy, the marriage was undermined by emotional pressures. Dixie suffered from acute alcoholism, which hastened her premature death from ovarian cancer in Holmby Hills, California, aged 40 (3 days before her 41st birthday).
Her four sons also suffered from the long term effects of heavy drinking.
The film "Smash-Up: The Story of a Woman" (1947) was based on her life. Although the characters names were changed, she was portrayed by Susan Hayward.
[edit] Filmography
- Happy Days (1929)...Herself - Lead Dancer in 'Crazy Feet' number
- Knights Out (1929)
- Fox Movietone Follies of 1929 (1929)...Lead Dancer in Fashion number
- Why Leave Home? (1929)...Billie
- Harmony at Home (1930)...Rita Joyce
- Let's Go Places (1930)...Dixie
- The Big Party...(1930)...Kitty Collins
- Cheer Up and Smile (1930)...Margie
- No Limit (1931)...Dotty 'Dodo' Potter
- Quick Millions (1931) (uncredited)...Secretary
- Night Life in Reno (1931)...Dorothy
- Manhattan Love Song (1934)...Geraldine Stewart
- Love in Bloom (1935)...Violet Downey
- Redheads on Parade (1935)...Ginger Blair
- Screen Snapshots: Hollywood's Happy Homes (1949)...Herself (Mrs. Bing Crosby)
