Clark Gable, the iconic “King of Hollywood,” remains one of the most recognizable figures from the golden age of cinema, famed for his charismatic performances, most notably as Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind. While his on-screen persona was larger than life, his private life was shrouded in complexities, particularly concerning his children. While John Clark Gable was the only child he publicly acknowledged, born after Gable’s untimely death in 1960, the story of Judy Lewis, his first child, remained a whispered secret for decades. This article delves into the lives of Clark Gable’s children, exploring the contrasting narratives of Judy Lewis and John Clark Gable and shedding light on the hidden chapters of a Hollywood legend’s family history.
Judy Lewis: The Daughter Denied
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American actress Judy Lewis pictured alongside her mother, actress Loretta Young, at an AFI event. This image captures a rare public moment for the pair, whose relationship was marked by secrecy surrounding Judy’s parentage.
For years, Hollywood buzzed with rumors about a clandestine affair between Clark Gable and Loretta Young during the filming of their 1935 movie Call of the Wild. The whispers suggested that this relationship resulted in a child, Judy Lewis. Publicly, Loretta Young presented a different narrative, claiming to have adopted Judy at 19 months old. Born on November 6, 1935, Judy Lewis’s early life was far from conventional. Loretta Young concealed Judy’s birth, moving her between caregivers and even placing her in an orphanage to facilitate a future adoption that would explain the presence of a child in the life of a young, unmarried actress.
However, within the industry, the resemblance between Judy and Clark Gable fueled speculation. Jack Haley Jr., Judy’s high school sweetheart, recounted the eerie experience of watching Clark Gable films with her, a constant reminder of the unspoken truth. Judy Lewis herself confronted Loretta Young about her parentage in 1966. According to Judy, Loretta privately confirmed Clark Gable was her father, yet publicly, Loretta maintained the adoption story. Loretta Young described the idea of Gable being Judy’s father as “a very romantic thought that many wish to believe,” choosing not to lend credence to the rumors publicly.
In 1994, Judy Lewis broke her silence with her memoir, Uncommon Knowledge. In it, she revealed the truth about her biological parents and the emotional toll of growing up in secrecy and without acknowledgment from her famous father. She expressed the deep pain of not being accepted by her mother and questioned why Clark Gable never acknowledged her, even after his death. “I ask myself why he didn’t leave me something. Forget money — even just a letter,” she confessed, highlighting the profound emotional void in her life.
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A photograph of Loretta Young, mother of Judy Lewis, known for maintaining secrecy about Judy’s true parentage for many years, reflecting the complex dynamics of Hollywood’s Golden Era.
Judy Lewis pursued an acting career in her 20s and 30s, appearing in soap operas and Broadway productions. Later in life, she transitioned to psychology, becoming a clinical psychologist. Judy Lewis passed away in 2011, having spent years grappling with the truth of her parentage and her strained relationship with Loretta Young. It wasn’t until after Loretta Young’s death in 2000 that the full truth finally emerged with the posthumous publication of her memoir, Forever Young, where she finally confirmed Judy was indeed Clark Gable’s daughter.
John Clark Gable: Carrying on a Legacy
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John Clark Gable, son of legendary actor Clark Gable, photographed at the MMPA Oscar Week Luncheon. He represents the acknowledged lineage of Clark Gable, born after his father’s passing.
In stark contrast to the concealed beginnings of Judy Lewis’s life, John Clark Gable’s arrival was anticipated, albeit tragically overshadowed by his father’s death. Clark Gable, after several marriages and the profound loss of his wife Carole Lombard, married Kay Williams in 1955. In 1960, as he was filming The Misfits, Kay became pregnant. Gable reportedly expressed his joy, calling the impending fatherhood a “dividend that has come too late in life” and planned to take time off after filming to be with his family.
Sadly, Clark Gable suffered a heart attack and passed away in November 1960, before John Clark Gable was born in March 1961. John Clark Gable thus never knew his famous father. He grew up on the family ranch in Encino and, while briefly venturing into acting, found his true passion in car and truck racing, a pursuit rumored to be inherited from his father’s own love for speed.
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A heartwarming image of Mrs. Kay Gable with her son, John Clark Gable, at a movie premiere in 1972. This photo illustrates John’s upbringing within the Gable family legacy, despite his father’s early passing.
John Clark Gable acknowledged the special connection to his father’s memory through racing, stating it was “in my blood.” He has two children from his first marriage, Kayley Gable and Clark Gable III, the latter of whom tragically passed away in 2019. John Clark Gable remains married to his third wife, Debra Hartsell Gable.
Legacy and Contrasts
The stories of Judy Lewis and John Clark Gable present a stark contrast in the narrative of Clark Gable’s family. Judy’s life was marked by secrecy and a yearning for acknowledgment, while John Clark Gable represents the publicly recognized lineage of the Hollywood icon. Both, however, are integral parts of Clark Gable’s legacy, painting a more complete, if complex, picture of the man behind the legend. Their stories continue to fascinate, offering a glimpse into the personal life that existed beyond the glamorous facade of Hollywood’s Golden Age and the enduring impact of family secrets and legacies.
