Joan Crawford's 4 Marriages: A Look Back at the Actress' Husbands

From Douglas Fairbanks Jr. to Pepsi-Cola executive Alfred Steele, the Golden Age star was married four times.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Joan Crawford, the legendary film star of the Golden Age, was married four times during her life. Her husbands included actors Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Franchot Tone, and Philip Terry, as well as Pepsi-Cola president and board chairman Alfred Steele. Crawford opened up about the lessons she learned from each of her marriages, despite the heartbreak their demises brought.

Why it matters

Crawford's four marriages provide a fascinating glimpse into the personal life of one of Hollywood's most iconic actresses. Her candid reflections on the institution of marriage and the impact each of her spouses had on her offer unique insight into the complexities of navigating relationships in the public eye.

The details

Crawford's first marriage was to actor Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in 1929, though the couple divorced in 1933. She then wed actors Franchot Tone (1935-1939) and Philip Terry (1942-1946) before marrying Pepsi-Cola executive Alfred Steele in 1955, a union that lasted until his death in 1959. Crawford said each of her husbands left her with more wisdom than the one before, despite the pain their divorces caused.

  • Crawford and Fairbanks Jr. married on June 3, 1929.
  • Crawford and Tone married on October 11, 1935 and separated on July 20, 1938.
  • Crawford and Terry married on July 21, 1942 and separated on December 16, 1945.
  • Crawford and Steele married on May 10, 1955 and he passed away on April 19, 1959.

The players

Joan Crawford

An iconic film star of the Golden Age of Hollywood who was married four times.

Douglas Fairbanks Jr.

Crawford's first husband, an actor whom she married in 1929.

Franchot Tone

Crawford's second husband, an actor whom she married in 1935.

Philip Terry

Crawford's third husband, an actor whom she married in 1942.

Alfred Steele

Crawford's fourth husband, the president and board chairman of Pepsi-Cola whom she married in 1955.

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What they’re saying

“We were both teenagers.”

— Joan Crawford (My Way of Life)

“Marriage, like everything else, is a learning experience, and I try to learn something from everything that happens, even if it hurts like hell.”

— Joan Crawford (My Way of Life)

“I've been married four times. Some people might say that anyone who's been married that often isn't meant for the state.”

— Joan Crawford (My Way of Life)

“I was scared to death … and I flew in order to marry him and I've been flying ever since.”

— Joan Crawford (David Frost Show)

“During the most blissful years of my life, the dead center of my life was my husband. I worked with him, and I made sure that he was as comfortable and happy as a man could … be.”

— Joan Crawford (My Way of Life)

The takeaway

Crawford's four marriages highlight the complexities of navigating relationships in the public eye, as well as the resilience and wisdom she gained from each experience, even in the face of heartbreak. Her candid reflections on marriage offer a unique perspective on the institution and the impact it had on her storied career.