Born Alexandra Crowell Curtis, today may not be a name so well-known, but she was the wife of arguably one of America’s greatest actors, John Payne. Born December 31, 1917, in Los Angeles, California, Alexandra Beryl Crowell later became known by the name of Alexandra Crowell Curtis. Alexandra was first introduced to the public as being married to Alan Curtis, an American actor in movies like High Sierra (1941), Phantom Lady (1944). Sadly, that marriage did not hold, and after some time, Alexandra was at liberty to find love again, but this time with another Hollywood giant, John Payne.
A New Chapter with John Payne
On September 27, 1953, Alexandra married the well-established actor from the 1930s to the 1950s, John Payne. Payne was known for films like Miracle on 34th Street (1947) and The Razor’s Edge (1946). They remained married for 36 years until Payne passed away on December 6, 1989. The marriage was among the stable relationships in Hollywood then. Alexandra went for a life of privacy despite her husband’s immense popularity. She kept away from the public limelight and maintained a low profile. Perhaps this reason explains a private life notwithstanding the fame experienced by her husband in his career.
John Payne, Alexandra Crowell Curtis’s Husband
John Payne was born on May 23, 1912, in Roanoke, Virginia, and died December 6, 1989. He was an American actor seen in the genres film noir, musicals, and westerns. His career in the 1940s flourished with leading roles opposite icons like Alice Faye and Betty Grable starring in 20th Century Fox musicals. However, Payne is perhaps best known for his role as Fred Gailey in the 1947 classic Miracle on 34th Street. He also costarred in the NBC Western series The Restless Gun. Payne’s personal life involved three marriages, the last with Alexandra Crowell Curtis from 1953 until his death in 1989. His children Julie Payne, Thomas John Payne, and Kathleen Hope Payne survived him. He passed away in Malibu, California, at the age of 77 of congestive heart failure.
Legacy and Personal Life
Although Alexandra Crowell Curtis was not a familiar name as some other celebrities were, she was an important influence in the life of Alexander Payne since she provided him with the rock-solid support which propelled him to accept bigger and better things. Alexandra’s life was intertwined with the history of Hollywood; nevertheless, she managed to emerge as one of the enigmatic personalities. Her wish to remain private limited what was written about her private doings or work achievements. Nevertheless, Alexandra did not live a completely public-free life. In 1953, a press photo captured the moment when she married John Payne, and she thereafter secured her place in Hollywood’s history—even if it was done so quietly.
Net Worth and Final Years
Being a married woman to such a successful actor definitely must have assured Alexandra Crowell Curtis a life of considerable comfort. Unfortunately, there isn’t enough information regarding her net worth. After her husband passed away in 1989, Alexandra lived a rather quiet life until the time of her death in 2009. The tale of Alexandra Crowell Curtis is a story of silent support and strength. Even though she didn’t seek out the limelight, her just being in the life of one of the luminaries of Hollywood’s Golden Age is a testament to the kind of character and strength she possessed.
