John Gilbert was married four times. I think that each of
his wives loved him, and he wanted marriage, but unfortunately
none of them lasted. I suppose his true love, other then Garbo
was his second wife, Leatrice Joy.
- Olivia Burwell 1917-1922 - Jack met
Olivia when he had just started out in films. He almost
married her immediately on sheer impulse being so alone,
and she seemed to understand him. However, very soon after
they did decide to marry, it became apparent that they
were not well suited. Times were hard in the film industry
at the time and because it was hard to support two, Olivia
went back home. The plan was for Jack to send for her when
times were better, but when things got better Jack found
that he was happier without her. By that time, he had met
his second wife, Leatrice and he therefore, asked for a
divorce. It was a long time coming and his second marriage
might have had a better chance for success if Olivia hadn't
held out so long to agree to the divorce.
-
   Leatrice
Joy was probably the one real love in Jack's life. He
met her on the set of a film where she proceeded
to get white body paste all over his only, and
treasured dinner jacket. They met again at Tourneur's studio and
Jack and Leatrice soon fell in love. They couldn't marry right
away since he was still married to Olivia Burwell, but in 1923,
they finally were able to marry. Their marriage was difficult from
the start since Leatrice had her own career and had soon taken
a job working for Cecil
B. Demille. Demille was a tyrant and
insisted that Leatrice not live with Jack during the making of
his films. Jack hated him and blamed him for undermining their
marriage. However, Leatrice became a star in her own right starring
in such memorable Demille epics as Manslaughter,
1922, his first version of " The
Ten Commandments", 1923 and Triumph,
1924. She is generally credited with starting the bobbed-hair
craze in the 1920s. She
retired shortly after the advent of sound, but made occasional
appearances in small supporting roles over the years. She and Gilbert
had one daughter together, Leatrice Joy Fountain Gilbert and divorced
Gilbert in 1924, just when he started his relationship with Garbo.
- Ina
Claire 1929-1931
 Ina Clair was a major Broadway star before she came to Hollywood to
star in her first film, The
Awful Truth, 1929. When she met Jack at a party, they liked each
other immediately and married only six weeks later. She and Jack just
weren't suited for each other. At that time, being a Broadway star
was considered far superior to the stars of Hollywood. therefore, Ina
felt superior to Gilbert and is best known for the classic remark she
made after they were wed, when a reporter asked her, "How
does it feel to be married to a great star?" "I don't know," the
new bride replied sweetly. "Why don't you
ask Mr. Gilbert?" To her credit, she did try to help Jack
through the transition to sound, but instead of helping she made him
more insecure. They were married during a terrible time in Jack's life
and had been traveling in Europe when Jack's first talkie to be released, His
Glorious Night was released to dismal reviews and when the stock
market crashed. Although Ina tried to help again, she did nothing but
make things worse by redecorating their house resulting in a huge expense.
They were divorced in 1931.
- Virginia
Bruce 1932-1934
- one daughter, Susan Ann, b. 1934
 American leading woman of the
30's and 40's. A native of Minnesota, she grew
up in Fargo, North Dakota
and came to California to attend college. Her
attractive blond good looks gave her an entry
into films, and following a few extra roles
and bit parts began to make serious inroads
as a leading woman in secondary films and as
the "other" woman in more prestigious productions.
She married Gilbert, in 1932 when his career
was in decline. at his death, it was Virginia
Bruce who received the bulk of his estate even
though Marlene
Dietrich said that he had written another
will, the will was never found. courtesy
of Jim Beaver
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