Biography for
Christina Crawford (I) More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

11 June 1939, Los Angeles, California, USA

Nickname

Tina

Mini Biography

Christina Crawford was born on June 11, 1939, to teenage parents. She was later adopted by screen legend Joan Crawford, originally named Joan Crawford Jr. When she was 11 months old, she was taken to Nevada, where she was formally adopted by Joan and renamed Christina. Her early life was one of happiness living with her "Mommie Dearest".

When she was three, her mother married Phillip Terry and they adopted a baby originally named Phillip Terry, Jr. but, after their divorce, he was renamed Christopher Crawford. By her account, soon after, things started to change at home. Her mother started giving her tasks around the house, like doing the dishes but Joan also sometimes assigned her things to do that where physically impossible for her to do. In the mornings, everyone would have to walk on tiptoe and whisper so as not to wake Joan up. Around this time, what Christina calls "night raids" started happening, such as the infamous "No Wire Hangers Ever" scene depicted in Mommie Dearest (1981). These raids would sometimes last for several hours. When Christina was about nine, Joan adopted twins, Cathy and Cindy.

Soon after, her mother decided to send her to the prestigious Chadwick School, a boarding school in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA, about forty minutes from their home. Christina alleges during her time at Chadwick she wore her coat to class because Joan gave her only two dresses, one pair of shoes and the coat for a whole semester. There was also an unfortunate incident where Christina was caught alone with a boyfriend without permission. Joan heard about it a few days later and removed her from the school. Christina was sent to a Catholic boarding school until she went to college in Pittsburgh. She spent one year in college and then started doing acting jobs. She moved to New York, worked in a restaurant and did odd jobs. She went to England for a while and while there her stepfather, Alfred N. Steele, CEO of the Pepsi-Cola company, died. While in a summer stock production of "Splendor in the Grass", she met a man she would eventually marry, but the marriage didn't last long. Christina was cast on the TV soap opera "The Secret Storm" (1954) in 1968. While out recovering from surgery, Joan, who by then was well-past 60, stepped in for her, playing a 28-year-old woman. After this, Christina returned to California, went back to school and met David Koontz, later her second husband.

When Joan Crawford died in 1977, it made headlines that she had cut Christina and Christopher out of her will. Shortly afterward, Christina wrote "Mommie Dearest" about her life with her abusive mother. In 1981, the best-selling book was made into a blockbuster movie. Christina shortly thereafter suffered a major stroke from which she recovered. A couple of years later, she and David divorced. Since then, she has lived in Northern Idaho, operated a bed-and-breakfast, and continued writing.

IMDb Mini Biography By: CR & Anonymous

Spouse

Michael Brazzell	(1994 - 1999) (divorced)
David Koontz	(1976 - 1982) (divorced)
Harvey Medlinsky	(22 May 1966 - 5 October 1968) (divorced)

Trivia

Suffered a major stroke in 1981, from which she has fully recovered.

Adopted daughter of actress Joan Crawford. Adopted sister of Christopher Crawford, Cynthia Crawford and Cathy Crawford. Niece of actor Hal Le Sueur. Ex-stepdaughter of Phillip Terry. Stepdaughter of the late President & CEO of the Pepsi-Cola Company, Alfred Steele.

The movie, Mommie Dearest (1981) is based on her best-selling book about her allegedly abused childhood with adoptive mother, Joan Crawford. Faye Dunaway portrayed Joan Crawford. Mara Hobel portrayed Christina as a child, and Diana Scarwid played her as a teenager and young adult.

Was born to teenage parents; her father was in the Navy at the time. It was later revealed that Christina was adopted by Joan Crawford through a black market baby ring.

Formed her own publishing company in 1998, Seven Springs Press, to publish the 20th Anniversary Edition of 'Mommie Dearest' from the original manuscript.

Has written five books: A fictional novel called 'Black Widow', and four non-fiction books, 'Mommie Dearest', 'Survivor' (the sequel to Mommie Dearest), 'No Safe Place: the Legacy of Family Violence' and the upcoming 'Daughters of the Inquisition'.

Suffered from an ovarian cyst in 1968 while appearing on "The Secret Storm" (1954). While she was recovering from surgery, her mother, Joan Crawford, 63 years old at the time, temporarily took over Christina's role as a 28-year-old on the show. Christina wrote in her book "Mommie Dearest" that when she watched her mother's scenes on the telecast, it was obvious to her that Joan Crawford had been drinking before the taping.

Received her BA degree from UCLA and her Masters Degree in Communication Management from the Annenberg School at the University of Southern California, after which she worked in the corporate communications department at the headquarters of Getty Oil Company where she produced company films and videos, including one on founder, J. Paul Getty.

Owns a 150-acre farm in Northern Idaho

Neice of actor Hal Le Sueur

Stepdaughter of the late Pepsi-Cola Company President & CEO Alfred Steele.

Ex-stepdaughter of Phillip Terry.

When Christina began her acting career, her mother asked her to change her last name so it wouldn't look like she was using the name to her advantage. Christina refused.

She is referenced in the song "Joan Crawford" by Blue Öyster Cult.

Is portrayed by Mara Hobel and Diana Scarwid in Mommie Dearest (1981)

Her adopted brother, Christopher Crawford (October 15, 1943 - September 22, 2006) died of cancer. Chris did not take part in the publicity of the "Mommy Dearest" book but largely supported his sister's account of their controversial childhood.

Personal Quotes

[Interview after the release of Mommie Dearest (1981), 1981] Faye Dunaway's portrayal was absolutely ludicrous. I've read she's saying that she has been haunted by the ghost of Joan Crawford and after watching her performance, I can see why.

Where Are They Now

(March 2003) Preparing to publish her 5th book, "Daughters of the Inquisition: Medieval Madness-Origin & Aftermath".

(2004) Currently owns and operates a bed & breakfast in Idaho. She sometimes rents it out to film production crews for motion pictures.

(January 2005) Employed as a food manager for an Indian casino near Worley, Idaho.