Lana Turner Timeline

Feb. 8, 1921: Born as Julia Jean Turner to John and Mildred Turner in Wallace, Idaho.

1936: Lana is discovered at Top Hat Café in Hollywood. She is 15 years old.

1937: Turner stars in the film, They Won't Forget. The Hollywood Reporter writes of her performance: "Short on playing time is the role of the murdered school girl. But as played by Lana Turner it is worthy of more than passing note. This young lady has vivid beauty, personality and charm." The movie earns her the nickname "The Sweater Girl" because of the tight blue sweater she wears in the movie.

Feb. 1940: Marries bandleader Artie Shaw.

1941: Lana leaves Shaw and discovers afterward that she is pregnant. She has an abortion.

1942: Marries Stephen Crane.

1943: Gives birth to daughter, Cheryl. Her marriage to Crane ends soon after this.

1946: Lana stars in The Postman Always Rings Twice.

1948: Marries Henry "Bob" Topping.

1952: Lana and Henry Topping divorce.

1953: Lana marries Lex Barker.

1957: Lana and Lex Barker divorce.

1958: Lana is nominated for an Academy Award for her role in Peyton Place.

1958: Her daughter Cheryl murders Lana's boyfriend, gangster Johnny Stompanato. It is ruled a justifiable homicide.

1960: Lana marries Fred May.

1962: Lana and Fred May divorce.

1978: Lana shoots Witches' Brew, a remake of the 1944 horror film Weird Woman.

Oct. 25, 1981: The National Film Society presents Lana with an Artistry in Cinema award.

1982: Begins appearing on the tv show, Falcon Crest.

1983: Lana publishes an autobiography, Lana: The Lady, The Legend, The Truth.

1985: The film she shot in 1978, Witches' Brew, is released.

June 29, 1995: Turner dies of throat cancer in Los Angeles at the age of 75.