A Different Side of Joan Crawford: Casey LaLonde's Childhood Memories
Picture this: about once a month, Casey LaLonde, his sister Carla, and their parents would embark on a two-hour journey into the bustling heart of New York City. Their destination? A visit to Casey’s grandmother, the legendary JoJo. As Casey fondly recalls in an exclusive interview with Closer, "She'd often send my mom and dad out shopping or sightseeing, leaving her to take care of the grandkids. She'd serve us lunch, give us gifts, and play with us. At the time, I had a vague notion that she was somehow famous, but I had no clue that she was the world-renowned actress Joan Crawford."
The Controversial Memoir That Changed Everything
Fast forward to 16 months after Joan's passing in 1977. Her eldest child, Christina Crawford, released a memoir titled Mommie Dearest, a book often credited as the first celebrity tell-all. This explosive narrative painted Joan as an out-of-control, cruel, and abusive alcoholic. It sent shockwaves through the entertainment world, leaving a lasting impression on how people viewed the Oscar-winning actress.
Joan Crawford: A Loving Mother or a Cruel Tyrant?
A movie adaptation of Mommie Dearest, with Faye Dunaway stepping into Joan's iconic role, hit theaters in 1981. It quickly became a cult classic, introducing the famous phrase "No wire hangers!" into pop culture. However, Joan's younger twin daughters, Casey’s mother Cathy and his Aunt Cindy, strongly refuted Christina's claims. They insisted that the portrayal of Joan was a gross exaggeration, if not an outright fabrication. As Casey shared with Closer, "My mother and my Aunt Cindy, until their final days, held nothing but love for their mother. They never experienced any abuse. It was a nurturing and supportive household, and Joan was always incredibly supportive of them."
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A Love Story Cut Short
Despite being married four times, none of Joan's unions lasted long. Her happiest relationship was with Alfred Steele, the magnate of Pepsi-Cola. However, tragedy struck in 1959 when Alfred passed away suddenly from a heart attack at their home. This devastating loss left Joan heartbroken and marked the end of her happiest chapter.
With no husband around, Joan found herself juggling her demanding career and raising her children. She adopted Christina in 1940, Christopher in 1942, and the twins in 1947. To help manage their upbringing, she hired a governess, and the kids attended boarding school when they were old enough. Casey explains, "Joan had to work tirelessly because there was no male provider in the house. But whenever they were home, she made sure to include them in her world, often bringing them to the set."
A Strict Yet Loving Mother
Joan Crawford, who rose from humble beginnings to become one of Hollywood's highest-earning women, believed in strict discipline. Her children were expected to make their beds and keep their rooms tidy. But Cathy and her sister never endured the beatings or bizarre punishments Christina described in her book. Cathy once recounted a time when she refused her dinner. "I didn't have to eat it, but I didn't get something else. I had to go to bed without dinner. I don't think it was such a terrible punishment."
Cathy, who passed away at 73 in January 2020, recalled her mother's balance of discipline with love and dedication. When Cathy broke her arm on the playground at age six, Joan rushed to her side. "She ran off the set in the middle of filming and took me to the doctor, then we went home. She was still wearing makeup for the film. That’s how I remember her," Cathy reminisced.
The star was also physically affectionate. "My twin sister and I used to crawl into bed with her in the morning. I always liked riding with her on our holiday trips to Carmel. I would snuggle up to her while she drove," Cathy remembered fondly.
