Norma Marie (Anderson) Lancaster (1917 - 1988)

Born 30 Jun 1917 in Florida

Wife of Burton Stephen Lancaster — married 28 Dec 1946 (to 27 Jun 1969) in Yuma, Yavapai County, Arizona

Descendants

Died 15 Jul 1988 at age 71 in Los Angeles County, California

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Steven Mix [send private message]

Biography

The famous actor Burt Lancaster was married three times. His first two marriages — to

• June Ernst from 1935 to 1946 and to
• Norma Anderson from 1946 to 1969 - ended in divorce.

When the picture that made Burt a star, The Killers, was released in August, 1946 Burt Lancaster went from unknown obscurity to instant stardom.

Burt began a brief but torrid affair with Marlene Dietrich.

Meanwhile, back in New York City Norma Anderson was having a baby.

Burt had learned she was pregnant just as he started the film for Hellinger. He was trying to get up enough money so Norma could have an abortion but that was not an option for Norma, whose religion forbid it. Baby James was born on June 30, 1946. The little one came into the world with a malformed foot and the need for surgery. On December 28th, 1946 Burt and Norma were married quietly in Yuma, Arizona. The studio announced the nuptials describing the bride as a “young war widow with a small son”.

All five of his children were with Norma Anderson:

1. Bill, who became a screenwriter,
2. James,
3. Susan,
4. Joanna, and
5. Sighle (pronounced Sheila).

Sources

• https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:KT43-T2F

• https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J2KL-B3R

• Geni profile: Norma Lancaster (Anderson)

• Wikipedia article: Burt Lancaster

• In the spotlight…..Burt Lancaster 1913 -1994