Loretta Young's heartbreaking estrangement with daughter: Interview with Edward Funk

Loretta and Me by Edward J. Funk
www.amazon.com/...
Ironically, this is the book that Loretta Young wanted me to write. She was unwilling to author a first person biography, feeling too vulnerable in that light. Her idea was to charm me and then I'd write a book based on my impressions of her. This is that book... but not exactly as Loretta might have envisioned it. She did charm me but, over time, she also recognized my candor. One day a friend of hers asked my opinion. Loretta quickly interjected, "Be careful. He'll tell exactly what he thinks." So, although I grew very fond of Loretta over the last decade of her life, this is exactly what I think.
I served as Loretta's escort on many occasions with the rich and famous and even sailed with Loretta and Jean Louis, her last husband, on a cruise. One evening she told me that I was her best friend.

[@lindamartin2787]

Loved watching “The Loretta Young Show “ .

[@followyourbliss973]

What an incredible opportunity to spend 10 years with her. I'd love to read the book or have coffee and talk about your incredible experience!

[@monaattianese9838]

I just want to commend Loretta Young for her enormous acting ability...her private life is her own...I had no idea of the scandle and narcissistic personality mentioned and I prefer not to know..She was a striking beauty for sure...leave it at that

[@collinmichaelkahn3918]

The three books he wrote about/with her are indispensable for old Hollywood fans. Solid works.

[@NancyNewbergshawnee]

Loretta had a overwhelming responsibility for everyone, everyone TOOK from her, what did anyone ever give back to her ??? NOTHING...I will forever respect and love her strength and concern for everyone especially her mother, Loretta was a more that honorable Daughter,she did what she had to do to survive she earned her place on earth and I look forward to meeting her in Heaven .

[@pennypiper7382]

Nancy Newberg 👍👍👍

[@NancyNewbergshawnee]

:)

[@richardmcleod5967]

Sounds like he wrote a reasonably fair and truthful account of Loretta Young's very long and complicated life.

[@charliesmith3777]

You are SOOOOO MAGNIFICENT!! I love every word you say!!!

[@Dutchfan33]

Loretta was one of the best actresses of all time ,love her!

[@johnfd0210]

I never understand the criticism of Loretta Young in regard to Judy Lewis; the child wasn't a miraculous conception, Clark Gable was her father. If someone feels the need to criticize (I just don't think it is anyone's business), why not dole out any to him? He had nothing to do with her, and she was well into her 20's when he passed away. If it was so important she be told (about her parents), why didn't HE do it? (According to Miss Lewis' own book, the only thing he ever did for her was buy her a cradle when she was a baby).

[@ron-waynehoekstra7007]

Being a confidant to someone continues long after the persons passing . Particularly one as classy and private as Loretta Young was her whole life . Regardless to the point of wanting to learn , hear more of the lives of “ old “ Hollywood especially .

[@AlianaRegos]

yes..agree

[@marjegill3376]

I enjoyed Loretta in everything she did and thank her for entertainment that was tops. Her personal life is none of my business. How dare people judge her. Her daughter understandably was hurt and she too should not be judged by fans of Loretta. The public thinks because they pay to see stars that they have a right to butt into everything. MYOB.

[@c150gpilot]

The word needed is "lest."

[@kathyyoung1774]

Judy had a right to know who her father was and should have been told, at least when she reached her teens.

[@carolynbreeding8329]

My favorite actress

[@johnlorenzen4633]

Dont blame Loretta as much, but Gable is more accountable here. His behavior was abominable. He lived long ed enough and was such a big star that he could have done the right thing in acknowledging his daughter and his career we'd ouldnt have suffered. Coward.

[@peachygal4153]

WRONG. He died in 1960. Loretta would have been called the W word if he had publicly acknowledged Judy. No it would not had hurt his career, but it would have hurt Lorretta's reputation. Obviously, you were not alive then or you would not say that, as even in the 1960's babies were still taken from teen mothers and adopted out by their parents and the young mothers (or the teen fathers) had no say. Do a search here at youtube. There was a couple who had a daughter in 1962. They wanted to marry but were forced apart by her parents because her parents wanted her to go to college and not be a wife and mother at 17. Fifty years later they found each other after both being widowed and they got married in their late 60's/ early 70's. A few years later they found their daughter who at the time was 55 years old. Both of her adopted parents were dead, so she was glad to have them. Back to Loreta and Judy, Judy was not so much mad Clark did not come around because Loretta feared the public finding out;( which is why he didn't) she was upset her mother never told her she was her bio mom. Loretta told Judy she adopted her. Judy never knew until her husband whose family worked in the movie industry, told her about the gossip among the Hollywood set that Loretta and Clark were her bio parents. Even then Lorretta would never talk to her about it so she had no idea if it was true. Judy was 33 before Loretta finally confirmed the gossip was true.

[@DanaDelise]

How do you say she was mean, I do think she was selfish to never tell her daughter Clark Gable was her father.

[@MrVidaeverdade]

According to Judy Lewis, she told her privately when she was 31, but she never said so publicly.

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

According to Loretta Young's daughter in law Clark Gable raped her and Judy was the result. When she was in her 80s Loretta Young asked her daughter in law what date rape was and once explained to her she said that was what happened to her with Clark Gable. Apparently she felt responsible because she didn't fight his advances off. It was kept quiet until Loretta Young and Judy Lewis had passed away.

[@jessieubi3950]

@@wickedwitchoftheeast88 There is no proof Loretta Young was raped. Do you actually believe Loretta Young didn't know what rape was? If so, you're stupid. They are clearly trying to protect Loretta's catholic image, one she never lived up to.

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

@@jessieubi3950 in that era it wasn't entirely clear what rape or sexual harassment were so its very possible Loretta Young didn't realise. Its not much different to a husband raping his wife and the wife thinking it wasn't rape because they're married. Just because you don't hear about it in the era it didn't mean stuff like that didn't happen the difference between then and now is its talked about now whereas then it was brushed under the carpet

[@peachygal4153]

It was worse than that. Loretta never told Judy she was her bio mom. Judy believed she was adopted until age 23 when her husband told her the Hollywood set folks' gossip was that Loretta and Clark were her bio parents. I get why Loretta allowed her to believe that when she was little, but Loretta never told Judy herself until Judy was 32 years old. She should have told her at 16 when Judy was old enough to know it did not need to be common knowledge.

[@jacquieedwards8218]

It was a different time. The world is quite different now. My heart goes out to all involved. There is a song and saying I find fitting " Whose going to know or care 100 years from today". Jesus is Love

[@janelle144]

Too bad she was caught in the "Hollywood system" with no one supporting her. Now it's brought out in to the open when stars have babies with those who they are not married to, back then it was a huge scandal and the children suffered I am sure.

[@debbiesmola882]

I think given the times, (1935) it would have been career suicide to admit an out of wedlock pregnancy. But, I think Loretta should have told Judy who her father was as soon as she was able to understand, so that she could have had a relationship with him. UNLESS, the pregnancy was the result of a date rape.....then I can see why she wouldn't want to share that info with Judy.......

[@wickedwitchoftheeast88]

According to Loretta Young's daughter in law Clark Gable did indeed rape her. When she was in her 80s Loretta Young saw something about date rape on tv and asked her daughter in law what it was. When it was explained she said that was what happened to her with Clark Gable. Apparently she felt responsible for not being able to fight him off and blamed herself. She only publicly confirmed Judy's paternity in her autobiography when she was in her 80s. The rape was kept secret and never revealed until after both Loretta Young and Judy Lewis had both passed away. Her daughter in law gave an interview a few years after Judy had died and revealed the truth and conversation that took place. I don't blame Loretta Young for not telling Judy the truth until after Clark Gable died can you imagine the guilt and shame she carried around the rest of her life because of that man and she obviously wanted her daughter to think it was a love affair rather than the awful truth. What strong woman Loretta Young was.

[@Dog.soldier1950]

Lucifer666 Loretta young and Clark gable conducted a torrid affair, it was well known to the cast as well as Hollywood, and kept in touch until the end of his life. A second or third hand accusation 4 decades after the event is hardly credible especially as it was used to pump up the daughters book sales.

[@MTknitter22]

It was not rape.

[@MTknitter22]

Lucifer666 According to Loretta and her daughter (who knew personally her mother’s very closest friends from that time) there was no rape. Loretta never had a bad thing to say about Clark.

[@MTknitter22]

Dogsoldier 1950 yes. All you have to do is watch the movie, they were smitten with each other.

[@suzeauster2223]

Thank You!

[@mojilavi6609]

How cruel of a mother to not claim her OWN daughter that she is he her mum. I can understand that at that time was hard , but still having the heart to hide it , it’s unimaginable for me 😢😢

[@kathyyoung1774]

At least she could have told her when she was in her teens.

[@charliesmith3777]

Wonderful stuff!!!

[@peaceandlove544]

What a tragedy, though Loretta did the Christian thing on having Judy and raising her (and giving her a father, a family and his name) though she was date raped, had no relation with Gable, he was married at the time, and despite all the rumors that could legally have ended Loretta and Gable's career, so she invented the adoption story, that was admirable considering the circumnstances and the times. Sadly it was an open secret and Judy was told the truth about Who her biological father too late for her and judged her mother horribly dying without knowing the tragic full truth that she was not the product of a romance or a Hollywood affaire but of date raped of her mother by a married well known actor and the legal, civil and criminal liabilities of such and act, and thus his biological father had no interest in divorcing his wife and marrying her mother nor of wanting to know her and raise her, as her mother never told her this to protect her from such horrible truth.

[@lscarver5]

That's Loretta Young's version MANY years later that she was "date raped" or "raped". Loretta chose to have relations with a married man (Gable) while she was on location filming Call of the Wild. Later on, Gable was aware that Loretta gave birth to his daughter. He's not completely off the hook in my opinion. He could have discreetly tried to have a relationship with Judy. Loretta tried to make herself the victim in this complicated and sordid mess, but the REAL victim is her daughter Judy.

[@SandySaunders9142]

@@lscarver5 Well stated Leslie! Well stated. I would not trust anything Loretta Young claimed.

[@lscarver5]

@Susie X if you choose to believe Loretta's " version" of what took place between she and Clark Gable that's your prerogative. I will NEVER say that women weren't forced or taken advantage of in those days. Or even in present times that we're living in. But I still stand by how I look at the circumstances. The only person I truly have sympathy for is the late Judy Lewis. Ms. Lewis wasn't told by the woman who she lived with since she was a infant that she was her BIOLOGICAL MOTHER until YEARS later. Not just her adopted mother. All the Hollywood people knew the truth. It was the public who didn't know the actual circumstances. Clark Gable gets no brownie points in his role in this story. He could have secretly been in Judy's life, and also financially supported her. If the true story of Gable and Loretta's secret affair went public, and the sordid fact that she got pregnant by a married man (even though he was separated from his wife), BOTH of them would have been let go by their respective studios. There were "moral clauses" in actors contracts in those days. So to end my response, NO I wasn't in the room or under Loretta's bed when she and Gable were clandestinely meeting while they were away on location. Since you choose to believe Loretta's version, were YOU there????

[@chetyoubetya8565]

Rubbish Judy had nothing to do with any of the circumstances of her birth. Her mother repeatedly denied being her bio mom and her stepfather treated her like crap on his shoe. If she really loved her daughter she would have just let her be adopted as a newborn by parents who were not ashamed of her.

[@JJJBRICE]

After reading Ms Lewis' book I will give my two cents on this subject . 1 ) LY kept her baby , loved and nurtured it . Other actress could have aborted , placed for adoption or palm off to one of her older sisters . 2) Accept for the ears,surgery and bonnets Ms Lewis was raised in plush Hollywood with the finer things , plenty of food and clothes in a nice enviroment . educated in quality Catholic schools . 3 ) Lewis did not mention any favoritism shown to her brothers over her . Her brothers accepted her and accepted the fact that Ms Lewis and LY would have their mother/daughter fights . And not always concerning the birth question . 4 ) Ms Lewis confronted her granny Mrs Belzer about her birth question . Mrs Belzer gave no information thus supporting LY . Mrs Belzer and probably the older LY sisters all knew and kept the secret . 5 ) The birth question was common knowledge by many in Hollywood . 6 ) LY probably saw her daughter as her "scarlet letter" and thus could not face her with the complete truth , prefering to have it revealed after her death . This really did not help in the complicated mother/daughter relationship. 7 ) I have no doubt those two loved each other , they were too much alike. 8 ) Judy Lewis grew up to be a strong quality person that gave credit to her imperfect mother .

[@jaeashleystewart7074]

Unfortunately, putting Judy in an orphanage was the only way at that time in society that Loretta could protect Judy from being labeled a "bastard" and other names that petty, gossipy people like some of you on here would have taken it upon yourselves to judge her as being. Loretta loved Judy and wanted Judy to live with her. It was very difficult for Loretta to be away from her newborn baby. In an interview later, Judy said that her mom and Clark Gable had fallen in love while making that movie. She said "you can see it in their eyes, the way that they looked at each other." If Loretta and Gable had continued seeing each other after the movie was finished and then adopted Judy, society would have quickly figured it out.

[@mistyvioletconservative.3889]

Jae Ashley Stewart 💜👍🏼👍🏼

[@Cityheart221]

Back then other than abortion that was the choice. Loretta did go get her. She could have let her be adopted by someone else. She got her at the age the orphanage agreed for her to pick the child up and a length of time she hoped fans would not figure it out. I'm not so sure Clark Gable and Loretta were in love. I believe they were swept up with the attraction they felt for each other. They were also filming for an extremely long time. As her biographies tell it, she kept falling in love at first sight and Clark was married. He seemed to have affairs on the set of his movies often. It's not all on her. He had to have known Judy was his child. She looked very much like him. Times are different now. Hollywood would not ruin your career over such an incident. Not that its right, but many children are born out of wedlock or from affairs now and most of society does not react like it never happened before nor turn against you. If you check history any period prior the 1990s you will find women who did the same without going back for the child or just plain had an abortion. Whether by choice is beside the point. Sadly there were probably moments when she could have told her, but Loretta was set in the old ways. She was a product of her times. Not saying it was right or that I agree with her. She did what she humanly thought was best.

[@annnee6818]

This is true but doesn't make it any less painful for Judy does it? Being lied to. Having the opportunity to know your father stolen away? That stinks.

[@christopherluchsinger8491]

Didn't they figure it out anyway?

[@ceciliapreziose3783]

they were horny and bored.......thats not falling in love

[@cutzymccall7675]

Loretta Young was a narcissist, pure and simple. She had no sensitivity for others. "The hurt had run too deep" for Loretta? Loretta caused it all. With one moment of compassion for her daughter she might have redeemed herself. Judy Lewis was a saint. So sorry she's not alive so that I could say how much I identified with her and her childhood with a cruel, neglectful, callous mother. It's amazing that Judy turned out to be such a good person. Her book is fantastic. RIP, Judy. You overcame life with monstrous parents and not knowing who your real parents where because they were deliberately withheld from you. Well, Hollywood is coming down off its pedestal now. The harder they come, the harder the fall, one and all.

[@1ndependentone568]

So ... you knew her personally? You are a PhD clinical psychologist , trained and qualified in diagnosis and treatment of DSM conditions? TRIPE!

[@phelpsuzan]

So very harsh, I think your personal feelings and life have more to do with your venom than anything else.

[@akrenwinkle]

@@1ndependentone568 In mythology, Narcissus fell in love with his own image. I think Loretta qualifies as a narcissist.

[@bonniebester606]

I tell ya...nothing like Birthing and Raising your own worst Critics! Yikes

[@dawnboyd1753]

Good one!

[@TheTibmeister]

Dietrich once said that every time Loretta Young ‘sinned’ she had a church built in Hollywood thus pertaining to the amount of RC Churches in Hollywood

[@cassiemiller7321]

You obviously hate catholics. A lot of moviestars and other people built Blessed Sacrament church for the GREATER GLORY OF GOD, NOT THEMSELVES; Dietrich was nasty, and prejudiced for saying this, and so are you! I suggest you stop slandering Young, as she is dead, and cant defend herself. How many sins have you committed? Then, stop repeating this.

[@TheTibmeister]

@@cassiemiller7321 if you READ carefully you will see that i was merely quoting somebody else. I did not state that these views were my own. I am not prejudiced, i do NOT hate Roman Catholics, in fact i AM a Roman Catholic. An over the years, within the recent elasticity of the Roman Catholic Church i am probably considerably less a sinner than most ‘committed’ Christians. I suggest you check your facts before handing out edicts on behalf of God

[@alicephillips3214]

@@cassiemiller7321 So it is alright to slander Clark Gable but not Loretta---Loretta might have been raised as Catholic but did not live a Catholic life---baby out of wedlock and no she was NOT raped multiple husbands and much more that was against the Church rules. She WAS a good actress and you fell for it.

[@bonnenaturel6688]

@@cassiemiller7321 how do you get "obviously hate catholics, out of that comment? Wow.

[@bonnenaturel6688]

@@TheTibmeister You do not have to defend yourself to someone who is taking what you said out of context.

[@EmilyGloeggler7984]

I feel sorry for poor Judy.

[@tlynn7043]

Everyone here who is pointing the finger at Loretta for not telling her daughter ... I was an unplanned baby when my mother had an affair w a married man. It was a different time and even though people made mistakes, they still considered ALL the people involved ..like the wife and the children. I NEVER blamed my mother ..when I kept asking who my father was .. for taking so long to tell me. Now as an adult, if I were to lay blame or be angry w anyone it’s the man who knew ALL THOSE YEARS that he had a daughter yet never wanted to be part of her life. I think what Judy did to her mother was horrible. She easily could’ve given her away and she didn’t. Clark knew and made a choice.

[@newnormal1841]

Some people shouldn't have children Hollywood's buy products. I guess image is first. 🤺💐

[@fiddleferme]

TY. Interesting topic. But pictures or vid clips would have kept me interested more than just a still of you talking. Thanks anyway.

[@reealitychick]

luved Loretta and her movies-- she was awesome-- as a mom-- she was not ''real'' fear-- money-- fame??--social embarrasement?_ her personal priest?? who really knows-- BUT-- she chose the wrong way and it damaged some people-- Judy and her Dad-- you bet it broke Gables heart- about Loretta not letting him be known he was the father... and her daughter-- Loretta had no right to do that to her .. God hands now... all of them...

[@angelabender8132]

I did not understand a meaning of what he was trying to say

[@unicornmadness6286]

I'm sorry but I just got through watching a documentary about Loretta Young and she should be turning in her grave. I understand the way it was back then and that she had to hide the fact that her daughter was her's and Clark Gable's. But to go to your grave still denying that you actually gave birth to your daughter. Even after her daughter wrote a book about the situation, smh, just disgusting.

[@kathysharpe7339]

Loretta made her choices. She paid the price. She lived in la la land

[@SrAJones-ns7sx]

She covered her ears as a kid and then surgery on them. That was enough for her to question and no doubt get teased. It was an open secret by 12 she could've handled it

[@martinamorgan1119]

Can we keep a secret?tell the truth,,,,

[@fang3839]

Little chance she isn’t a willing participator of the affair giving the trouble she went through to have the child live with her. I doubt she even saw herself as a victim in anyway. She was full of life till the very end.

[@NancyNewbergshawnee]

MR. FUNK..You really should post what Loretta paid you and what royalties you have from the books???? But thank you for the work you put into the project I look forward to reading the books :)

[@elissam.corsmeier469]

It's none of anyone business.

[@erniealderete2042]

I don't think the issue was that Loretta never told her daughter that Clark Gable was her father, she just didn't confirm it. Judy surely always knew who her father was.

[@kathyyoung1774]

Ernie Alderete She said she didn’t know unfulfilled she was 23 and told by someone else.

[@herbertmccoy4164]

none yrs old

[@PacoOtis]

Pitiful!

[@OlhaZubrenko]

Придумать изнасилование и ребенка после смерти это кощунство.

[@tootsgirl976]

Sounds like she COULD be a bit of a stinker

[@judithwalker500]

Bryan Terfel

[@jeffreyperry4713]

Judith Walker i

[@debbieking5171]

How did judy lewis die?

[@ilanamillion8942]

I believe she died of cancer.

[@Muirmaiden]

Cancer. Het mother and aunts Polly Ann Young and Sally Blane also died of cancer.

[@martinamorgan1119]

God knows all

[@angelabender8132]

Loretta acted in a disgusting way However Clark cable was worse He should have been careful not to impregnate her, regardless of whether she consented or not Once a father he could have been more responsabile ..Loretta must have resented him gravely not to value his presence in the life of her daughter She also resented the daughter for having come to the world unwanted A lot of superficiality, selfishness and suffering from all except Clark..maybe

[@pennypiper7382]

They’re all gone now. Let it rest. May God the Supreme Judge have the last word. ❤️

[@sophiatrudzik3080]

yes... Clark Gable lost the most....Loretta made all the choices with her family once she learned of her pregnancy.. to hide the fact and who was the father... and to not even be straight with her own child as she told her daughter she was adopted. I don't believe Clark was even aware of the entire story.. as she kept it a secret.. had he learned of the pregnancy and all he probably would have done things to make it right... you can't acknowledge what you have no evidence... it's is just sad.. as he had two children and never got to know either, and his grandson is also gone who looked so much like Clark Sr.

[@gorgeous6737]

Disgusting?!! Please, so everything that's going on today is also disgusting?! Children having children, abortions left and right, divorces with ink still wet and sleeping already with someone else. Don't Judge, we weren't there; she confessed that Clark Gable date raped her. Judy was born out of wedlock (bastard) and a product of rape. Anyone would have done Anything and Everything to shield their child from that.