Grayson’s “Longtime Companion”?
Kathryn Grayson, who died yesterday at 88, was one of those stars who helped define MGM during its postwar, musical-heavy age. For my parents, her film with Mario Lanza, “The Toast of New Orleans,” with its signature tune, “Be My Love,” was a highlight of Hollywood history. While combing the NPR obit, one sentence stood out: “Grayson died Wednesday of natural causes at her Los Angeles home, said the actress’ longtime companion and secretary, Sally Sherman.” Miss Grayson was married twice, but who knew that her longest-lasting significant other was a woman?
