A Legacy of Love: Shirley Jones Reflects on Her Wonderful Sons
Oscar-winning actress Shirley Jones has had a career filled with accolades, but her greatest pride and joy come from her family. In a heartfelt interview with Closer Weekly, Shirley shares her thoughts on what it means to be the matriarch of a loving family. As the proud mother of three sons—Shaun, Ryan, and Patrick—Shirley calls them her "biggest blessings." She gushes, "I’ve raised three wonderful sons who grew up to be great men of character and accomplishment. And I absolutely adore spending time with my grandchildren."
For Shirley, who is an only child, having such a large and loving family is nothing short of amazing. "When you're an only child, you dream of having a family one day," she says. "Now, I have all these wonderful people in my life, and it's just incredible. You really have to enjoy this moment, because that’s all we truly have. Life is precious, and we should savor every second of it."
A Life of Laughter and Legacy
In addition to cherishing her family, Shirley still finds immense joy in watching her classic films on TV. The actress, who won an Oscar for her role in 1960’s Elmer Gantry, loves revisiting the wonderful costars she worked with throughout her illustrious career. "Burt Lancaster was an absolute legend," she fondly recalls. "He was not only a brilliant actor but also a genuinely kind person. I truly adored him."
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As she approaches her 87th birthday on March 31, Shirley reflects on the extraordinary experiences she's had in her life. "You've got to live life to the fullest," she emphasizes. "Before you know it, you'll be where I am now. Time flies, and you want to make sure you're making the most of every moment." Shirley's career has taken her from the Broadway stage to the big screen and even into the living rooms of millions as the beloved singing mom on The Partridge Family.
Love, Laughter, and Lessons Learned
Shirley's private life has been as rich and fulfilling as her public one. As the matriarch of a large family with three sons and 13 grandchildren, she knows the value of laughter and love. "The secret to happiness? Laughter," she reveals. "And lots of it." Shirley’s two former husbands, actor Jack Cassidy and comedian Marty Ingels, brought humor and joy into her life. "Jack was handsome and charming, but what intrigued me most was his comedic talent," she says. "Marty, on the other hand, was incredibly smart, a great writer, and an amazing grandpa to my kids."
Even as a teenager, Shirley’s life was full of surprises. Though she dreamed of becoming a veterinarian, she stumbled into acting almost by chance. "I was just a small-town girl from Pennsylvania, and I didn't even know who Rodgers and Hammerstein were," she laughs. "But two weeks after that first audition, I was in my first Broadway show, South Pacific. It was the start of something incredible."
Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein became her mentors and helped launch her to stardom in the film versions of their iconic musicals, Oklahoma! and Carousel. Shirley's acting career reached new heights when she delivered a powerful performance as a vengeful prostitute in Elmer Gantry. It was during this time that she married Jack Cassidy in 1956, beginning a passionate but complicated relationship. "He was my first love and the love of my life," she says. "But he also gave me an incredible sex life." Their intense love was clouded by Jack's bipolar disorder, which led to heavy drinking and infidelities, something Shirley chose to overlook for the sake of their marriage.
