The Many Marriages of Agent and Producer Leland Hayward

 

The Many Marriages of Agent 

and Producer Leland Hayward

Leland Hayward, born on September 13, 1902, in Nebraska City, Nebraska, was a prominent American theatrical agent and producer. Over his lifetime, he married five times, each union reflecting the complex interplay between his personal ambitions and the cultural milieu of his era.

First Marriage: Inez "Lola" Gibbs

In 1921, at the age of 19, Hayward married Inez "Lola" Gibbs, a debutante from Texas. This early marriage was marked by instability; the couple divorced after one year, remarried, and ultimately divorced again in 1934. They had no children. This pattern of marital instability was not uncommon in the early 20th century, especially among individuals involved in high-pressure careers and social circles.

Second Marriage: Margaret Sullavan

On November 15, 1936, Hayward married stage and screen actress Margaret Sullavan, becoming her third husband. Sullavan was previously married to actor Henry Fonda and director William Wyler. Together, Hayward and Sullavan had three children: Brooke, born in 1937; Bridget, born in 1939; and William, born in 1941. Their marriage lasted until 1948.

The Hayward-Sullavan marriage was emblematic of the era's intertwining of personal and professional lives in the entertainment industry. Their relationship, while initially filled with promise, eventually succumbed to the pressures of their demanding careers and personal differences. The impact of their tumultuous marriage on their children was profound, leading to a legacy marked by both artistic achievement and personal tragedy.

Third Marriage: Nancy "Slim" Hawks

In 1950, Hayward married Nancy "Slim" Hawks, a fashion icon and socialite previously married to film director Howard Hawks. Slim was renowned for her impeccable style and influential presence in fashion and Hollywood circles. She was one of Truman Capote's beloved "Swans" for a time. Their marriage, however, faced challenges, including infidelities, and ended in divorce in 1960.

Fourth Marriage: Pamela Churchill

Shortly after his divorce from Slim Hawks, Hayward married Pamela Churchill on May 4, 1960, in Carson City, Nevada. Pamela was the former wife of Randolph Churchill, son of British Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Their marriage lasted until Hayward's death in 1971.

Family Tragedies and Legacy

The personal lives of Hayward and his family were fraught with challenges. His daughter Bridget died by suicide in 1960 at the age of 21, less than a year after her mother's death from an overdose. His son William also died by suicide in 2008. These tragedies cast a long shadow over the family's legacy.

Hayward's daughter, Brooke, chronicled the family's complex history in her 1977 memoir, "Haywire," offering an intimate look into their lives and the impact of fame and personal struggles.

Leland Hayward's marital history reflects a life intertwined with some of the most influential cultural figures of the 20th century. His marriages, marked by passion, creativity, and turbulence, offer a window into the complexities of personal relationships within the high-pressure worlds of Hollywood and Broadway. The tragedies that befell his family serve as poignant reminders of the personal costs that often accompany public success.