Mary Frances Crosby (born September 14, 1959) is an American actress. She is most often credited as simply Mary Crosby for her performances.

Early life

She was born in Los Angeles, California. She is the daughter of the singer and actor Bing Crosby, from his second marriage to the actress Kathryn Grant. She graduated from high school at 15. She then entered the University of Texas at Austin where she became a member of Delta Delta Delta sorority, but dropped out of the University before graduating. She is fluent in Spanish.

Family life

Aunt of Denise Crosby (although Denise is 2 years her senior) L. Chip Crosby Jr, and Gregory Crosby

Cousin of Cathy Crosby and Chris Crosby

Niece of the bandleader Bob Crosby and the agent Larry Crosby

Sister of Harry Crosby and Nathaniel Crosby

Half-sister of Gary, Dennis, Phillip and Lindsay Crosby

She has been twice married:

1) Eb Lottimer (1978[1] - 1989) divorced

2) Mark Brodka (1998–present); two children (born 1999 and 2002)

Acting career

Crosby may be most noted for her role as Kristin Shepard (Sue Ellen Ewing's scheming sister) on the TV series Dallas from 1979 to 1981. Her character is perhaps best remembered for her part in the cliffhanger ending of the 1979-1980 season of Dallas. In that highly watched episode, J.R. Ewing, (played by Larry Hagman) was shot by an unknown assailant. Viewers had to wait all summer (and most of the fall due to a Hollywood actors' strike) to learn whether J.R. would survive, and which of his many enemies was responsible. During the summer of 1980, the question, "Who shot J.R.?", was being asked in everyday conversations around the world. Ultimately, Kristin Shepard (Crosby) was revealed to have been the person who pulled the trigger in the classic "Who Shot J.R.?" episode that aired on November 21, 1980. It was one of the highest-rated episodes of a TV show ever aired.

Crosby's character, Kristin Shepard, later crossed over to the TV series Knots Landing in the 1980-81 season. In 1981, Kristin returned to Dallas. Once again the focus of a highly rated cliffhanger, it was revealed in the season opening episode (October 9, 1981) that it was Kristin's body that was found floating in the Southfork Ranch swimming pool. She returned for the final fantasy episode of Dallas in 1991, playing the same character had she never met J.R..

Film appearances

With This Ring (1978)...Lisa Harris

A Guide for the Married Woman (1978) (TV)...Eloise

Pearl (1978) (mini) (TV Series)...Patricia North

Brothers and Sisters (1979) (TV Series)...Suzy Cooper

Dallas (TV Series) (1978)...Kristin Shepard # 2 (1979–1981)

Midnight Lace (1981) (TV)...Cathy Preston

Golden Gate (1981) (TV)...Natalie Kingsley

Confessions of a Married Man (1983) (TV)...Ellen

Last Plane Out (1983)...Elizabeth Rush

The Ice Pirates (1984)...Princess Karina

Cover Up (1984) (TV)...Merilee Taylor

Child's Play (1985) (TV)...Ann Preston

Hollywood Wives (1985) (mini) (TV Series)...Karen Lancaster

Final Jeopardy (1985) (TV)...Susan Campbell

North and South, Book II (1986) (mini) (TV Series)...Isabel Hazzard

Stagecoach (1986) (TV)...Mrs. Lucy Mallory

Johann Strauss - Der Konig ohne Krone (1987)...Adele...aka Johann Strauss: The King Without a Crown

Tapeheads (1988)...Samantha Gregory

Quicker Than the Eye (1989)...Mary Preston

Deadly Innocents (1990)...Beth/Cathy

Body Chemistry (1990)...Marlee Redding

Corporate Affairs (1990)...Jessica Pierce

Eating (1990)...Kate

Crack Me Up (1991)

The Berlin Conspiracy (1992)...Ursula Schneider

Distant Cousins (1993)...Marcie...aka Dangerous Motive

Men Who Hate Women & the Women Who Love Them (1994) (TV)...Jennifer

Cupid (1997)...Dana Rhodes

The Night Caller (1998)...Nikki Rogers

Sharing the Secret (2000) (TV)...Irene

The Legend of Zorro (2005)...Governor's Wife

Television appearances

The Hollywood Palace (1966–1968)...Herself - Singer (as Mary Frances Crosby)

The Danny Thomas Hour (1967)...Joan (as Mary Frances Crosby)

Goldilocks (1971)...Herself/Goldilocks (as Mary Frances Crosby)

Starsky and Hutch (1978)...Leslie Slate in episode: "Strange Justice" (episode # 4.6)

CHiPS (1979)...Chris (as Mary Frances Crosby)

Dallas (1980)...Kristin Shepard # 2

Knots Landing (1980)...Kristin Shepard

Dick Turpin (1981)...June Harding

The Fall Guy (1982)...Coleen Wilcox

The Love Boat (1982)...Megan Lewis

The Fall Guy (1983)...Sue Jackson

Automan (1983)...Ellen Fowler/Miss Simmons

Hotel (1984)...Maggie Blackwood

The Fall Guy (1984)...Kim Donnelly

Cover Up (1984)...Merilee Taylor

Finder of Lost Loves (1984)...Blythe Stewart (as Mary Frances Crosby)

Hotel (1985)...Barbara Medford in episode "Distortions"

Hotel (1985)...Natalie Rogers in episode "Saving Grace"

Hammer House of Mystery and Suspense (1986)...Ann Preston in episode "Child's Play"

The Love Boat (1986) in episode "The Matadors/Mrs.Jameson Comes Out/Love's Labors Found/Marry Me, Marry Me: Parts 1 & 2"

The New Adventures of Beans Baxter

In the Heat of the Night (1989)...J.D. Sinclaire

Freddy's Nightmares (1989)...Greta in episode "Lucky Stiff"

Freddy's Nightmares (1990)...Greta in episode "Easy Come, Easy Go"

Shades of LA (1990)...Jessica Pope

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993)... Professor Natima Lang (Season 2, Episode 18 "Profit and Loss")

Beverly Hills, 90210 (1995) and (1996) ...Claudia Van Eyck in episode "Speechless", in episode "Violated", in episode "You Say It's Your Birthday: Part 1"