Biography

Crain was born in Barstow, California, to George A. Crain, a school teacher, and Loretta Carr, Irish Catholic parents. By 1930, the family was living in the City of Inglewood at 822 S Walnut Ave. After her parents divorced in 1934, the family of three moved to 5817 Van Ness Ave in Los Angeles.

An excellent ice skater, Crain first attracted attention when she was crowned Miss Pan Pacific at the Pan-Pacific Auditorium in Los Angeles. Later, while still in high school, she was asked to make a screen test opposite Orson Welles. She did not get the part, but in 1943, at age 18, she appeared in a bit part in the film The Gang's All Here.

Against her mother's wishes, on December 31, 1945, Crain married Paul Brinkman, a former RKO Pictures contract player credited as Paul Brooks. Crain and Brinkman had seven children: Paul Brinkman Jr. was born in April 1947, followed by Michael (1949-1992), Timothy (b. 1950), Jeanine (b. 1952), Lisabette (b. 1958), Maria (b. 1961), and Christopher (1965–1997).

During the early 1950s, Crain was earning about $3,500 per week. Crain and her husband bought a large home for their growing family on Roxbury Drive in Beverly Hills. The home can be seen and is described by Bette Davis in candid footage of a driving sequence in the film "The Star" (1952).

The Brinkmans were survived by five adult children, including Paul Brinkman Jr., a television executive, most known for his work on the television series "JAG".

Sources

• Jeanne Crain's Wikipedia Page
• California Birth Index, 1905-1995
• California, County Marriages, 1850-1952
• United States, GenealogyBank Obituaries, 1980-2014

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