Introduction
Jane Wyatt was an American actress who appeared in numerous films and television shows. She is best known for her role as Margaret Anderson in the sitcom “Father Knows Best.” In this blog post, we will explore her biography, family, love affairs, and death.
Biography
Early Life
Jane Wyatt was born on August 12, 1910, in Campgaw, New Jersey. Her father, Christopher Billopp Wyatt, was a Wall Street investment banker, and her mother, Euphemia Van Rensselaer Waddington, was a drama critic. Wyatt attended the Chapin School in New York City and later studied at Barnard College.
Career
Wyatt began her career on Broadway in the 1930s and made her film debut in 1934. She appeared in numerous films, including “Lost Horizon,” “Gentleman’s Agreement,” and “Task Force.” She also had a successful television career, appearing in shows such as “The Ford Television Theatre” and “The Eleventh Hour.” Wyatt won three Emmy Awards for her role in “Father Knows Best.”
Family
Marriage and Children
Wyatt was married twice. Her first marriage was to investment banker Edgar Bethune Ward in 1935, with whom she had two sons, Christopher and Michael. The couple divorced in 1939. In 1940, Wyatt married investment banker and producer Greg Bautzer, but the marriage ended in divorce in 1969.
Relationship with her Son
Wyatt’s relationship with her son Michael was strained. Michael was diagnosed with schizophrenia and spent much of his life in and out of mental institutions. Wyatt was an advocate for mental health and served on the board of the National Institute of Mental Health.
Love Affairs
Relationship with Gary Cooper
Wyatt had a romantic relationship with actor Gary Cooper in the 1930s. The relationship ended when Cooper married socialite Veronica Balfe in 1933.
Relationship with Farley Granger
Wyatt also had a romantic relationship with actor Farley Granger in the 1950s. The relationship ended when Granger married his wife, Robert Calhoun, in 1963.
Death
Illness and Death
Wyatt was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1990 and underwent a mastectomy. She died on October 20, 2006, at the age of 96, at her home in Bel Air, California.
Legacy
Jane Wyatt’s legacy lives on through her numerous film and television roles. She was a trailblazer for women in the entertainment industry and an advocate for mental health.
