Lana Turner's Early Marriages
Lana Turner first married John Virgil "Johnny" Stompanato in 1953, a former U.S. Marine and bodyguard connected to gangster Mickey Cohen. Their marriage ended in 1957 after Turner reported domestic conflict, and Stompanato was later killed in a stabbing incident involving Turner's daughter Cheryl Crane. Turner's second marriage was to actor Lex Barker, best known for playing Tarzan, from 1957 to 1962. The divorce was cited as "irreconcilable differences," and the union produced no children. Details on these early relationships are documented by biographical sources and entertainment archives, including Turner's own interviews and studio records.
Between 1957 and 1962, Turner's personal life drew intense media attention, with her marriages often linked to tabloid coverage and studio publicity strategies. Her third marriage, to talent agent Henry J. "Bob" Topping Jr., lasted only a few months in 1958. Topping was a member of the wealthy Vanderbilt family and a former New York Stock Exchange member. Turner's fourth marriage was to actor and bandleader Artie Shaw, one of the most prominent clarinetists of the swing era, from 1959 to 1960. Shaw later described the marriage as volatile, and the couple divorced after less than a year. These details are corroborated by biographies and entertainment history references available on sites like the Turner Classic Movies database.
Later Marriages and High-Profile Relationships
Turner's fifth marriage was to Stephen Crane, the son of writer Ernest Hemingway, from 1961 to 1962. The marriage was brief and ended in divorce. Her sixth marriage was to Ronald "Ronnie" DeBlaso, a real estate executive and former husband of actress Michele Lee, from 1969 to 1973. DeBlaso was a prominent figure in Southern California business circles, and the marriage produced Turner's fourth child, Christopher. Turner's seventh marriage was to Henry "Hank" Hyams, a businessman and former airline executive, from 1974 to 1978. Hyams was known for his work in the aviation and finance sectors, and the couple maintained a low public profile compared to her earlier unions.
Turner's eighth and final marriage was to Robert "Bob" Lantz, a film producer and studio executive, in 1983. Lantz was the son of animator Walter Lantz, creator of Woody Woodpecker, and worked in production at Universal Pictures. The marriage lasted until Turner's death in 1995. Turner's final years were marked by her memoir "Lana: The Lady, the Legend, the Truth," which provided detailed accounts of her marriages and relationships. Her life and marriages have been the subject of numerous documentaries, biographies, and articles, including coverage by major entertainment outlets and historical archives.
Legacy and Public Record
Lana Turner's eight marriages are a well-documented part of Hollywood history, often cited in biographies, film histories, and entertainment retrospectives. Her relationships with figures like Stompanato and Shaw remain among the most frequently referenced in discussions of Golden Age Hollywood celebrities. Turner's life has been the subject of multiple books, including "Lana Turner: A Biography" by Kenneth Anger and "Lana: The Lady, the Legend, the Truth" by Turner herself. These sources provide detailed timelines and context for each marriage, as well as insights into the entertainment industry practices of the era.
Turner's marriages are also referenced in broader cultural and historical contexts, including discussions of celebrity privacy, media influence, and the evolution of Hollywood studio systems. Her story is preserved in archives at institutions such as the Academy of