Fred MacMurray and Lillian Lamont (Couple)

(20 June 1936 - 22 June 1953) (her death) (2 children)

1. Susan (1942)

2. Robert (1945)

In 1935, Fred traveled from the Broadway stage in New York to the Silver Screen in Hollywood. As stated earlier, his mother Maleta had been driven out to California in 1929 by Fred. She was having health problems and that was when Fred took the cross country job as a musician with the CALIFORNIA COLLEGIANS. The job helped to pay for her medical bills. Eventually, the CALIFORNIA COLLEGIANS would make their way east to the stages of Broadway. It was during their stint in the musical ROBERTA that Fred MacMurray would become enchanted by the raven haired chorus girl, Lillian LaMont. Lillian was a tall, shapely beautiful girl who had obtained some fame in New York as a fashion model. Even though both were on the shy side, there was an instant chemistry. After getting over their initial timidness, the two were inseparable talking for hours on how they would furnish their apartment and window shopping for china in the wee hours of the morning on the streets of New York. But Hollywood called and the two would be parted. While starting out, Fred would share an apartment with his mother (See picture of Fred and mother Maleta, left). Although Fred received his weekly checks from the studio, the lack of work and uncertainty as to any future in films only helped to fuel his desperate loneliness for Lillian. He had been saving those very checks to either bring Lillian out to California or to wherever he would eventually end up (possibly back to New York or to a prearranged job back in his hometown of Beaver Dam, WI). But a string of hits in late 1935, convinced Fred that it was time to reunite with Lillian.

In 1936, Lillian would travel to Hollywood. They picked up exactly where they left off in New York: inseparable. In fact one story has it that Fred's devotion to Lillian almost cost him his stardom. It seems that as Fred's star rose, such a rugged good looking leading man became quite the sought after dinner guest. The powerful Hollywood gossip columnist Louella Parson's arranged such a dinner party. To say no to Louella was tantamount to a Hollywood kiss of death. Louella would act as matchmaker for all her guests determining who should be seen with whom. Fred received the call for his attendance. When told he would not be able to bring Lillian, he respectfully declined the invitation. Louella was incensed. Fred, of course, believed the fuss was all over nothing. Throughout his career, Fred found the Hollywood system of star making to be inane. But Studio executives immediately stepped in and knowledgable of Louella's wrath insisted Fred personally call Louella. He did so extending a heartfelt apology as he explained his deep felt relationship with Lillian. Fortunately, Louella accepted the apology and all was forgiven. Fred and Lillian's romance continued to blossom but ever the cautious man Fred would not even take the initial step of popping the question. Instead he came up with the novel idea of a trial engagement. So, if things worked out during the trial period, then the two could get engaged. Well, obviously the time passed successfully for Hollywood was shocked to learn that the practical Fred MacMurray stole off on the night of June 20, 1936 to Las Vegas, Nevada to elope with Lillian. Friends and coworkers were amused to think that the sensible Fred would do such a rash thing until they were brought back to reality with the news he had taken his mother along on his elopement. The couple were devoted to each other. They would adopt two children, Robert and Susan. By all accounts, it was one of the most loving family units in the Hollywood community. This was despite an illness which would haunt Lillian throughout the marriage at times keeping her bedridden for weeks on end. During such times, a very attentive Fred and mother Maleta(herself subject to illness) would tend to the household. Lillian would finally succumb to the illness on the eve of the couple's 17th anniversary. Fred was devastated. He could hardly go on. The only comfort he found was in the company of his children. Finally, friends persuaded him to return to work believing it to be the best medicine. He headed off for Hawaii to film THE CAINE MUTINY. After all, Lillian had enjoyed reading the script and had encouraged him to take the part. But after filming, he would return to his old melancholy until John Wayne called and insisted he attend a costume party. Then the sparks flew again...