Who Is Kim Darby’s Husband? Inside the Actress’s Marriages and Life
When people think of classic Hollywood, few names evoke nostalgia quite like Kim Darby. Best known for her breakout role in the 1969 film True Grit, where she starred alongside John Wayne, Darby captured audiences with her honest performances and natural presence on screen. But behind the fame and acclaim lies a personal life marked by love, loss, and resilience. Many fans still ask, who is Kim Darby’s husband?
The answer is not simple. Kim Darby has been married four times, though none of her marriages lasted. Her most well-known husband was James Stacy, a fellow actor, with whom she shares her only child, a daughter named Heather. While her personal life was filled with highs and lows, her journey remains a fascinating reflection of the challenges faced by women in Hollywood — especially those who found fame at a young age.
Who Is Kim Darby?
Before delving into her relationships and marriages, it’s important to understand who Kim Darby is and why she became such an enduring figure in American cinema. Kim Darby was born Deborah Zerby on July 8, 1947, in Los Angeles, California. She was raised in a show-business family; both of her parents were professional dancers known as “The Dancing Zerbies.” Growing up in that environment, Darby was surrounded by the energy of performance and creativity from an early age.
Her early life was not without challenges. Darby often described herself as shy and introspective, qualities that would later shape her distinctive screen presence. She attended Van Nuys High School and briefly studied psychology before deciding to pursue acting. In her late teens, she began appearing in small television roles under her birth name.
To make herself more memorable in Hollywood, she changed her stage name from Deborah Zerby to Kim Darby. The name change was inspired partly by singer Kim Novak, whom she admired, and by a desire to craft an identity distinct from her parents.
Kim Darby’s Rise to Fame
Kim Darby’s career took off quickly in the late 1960s. She appeared in a string of television shows, including Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, and Star Trek, where she demonstrated an unusual depth and emotional vulnerability that stood out among her peers. Her big break came in 1969 when she landed the role of Mattie Ross in True Grit, opposite John Wayne and Glen Campbell.
Darby was just 21 at the time, and her portrayal of the determined young woman seeking justice for her father’s murder made her an overnight sensation. Critics praised her authenticity, and True Grit became a box-office hit. The film cemented her as one of Hollywood’s brightest young stars and earned her several award nominations.
Following the success of True Grit, Darby starred in other notable films such as The Strawberry Statement (1970), Norwood (1970), Don’t Be Afraid of the Dark (1973), and Better Off Dead (1985). Despite her talent, her career trajectory was uneven. Hollywood typecast her as the “innocent girl next door,” and as she aged, she struggled to find roles that matched her depth.
Who Is Kim Darby’s Husband? A Look at Her Marriages
Kim Darby’s romantic life was as eventful as her career. Over the years, she was married four times, though each union ended in divorce. The most famous of her husbands was actor James Stacy, who shared the screen with her in the entertainment industry’s golden era.
Marriage to James Stacy
Kim Darby met James Stacy in the late 1960s, when both were rising stars in Hollywood. James Stacy, born Maurice William Elias, was known for his roles in television series such as Laramie and Gunsmoke, and for his boyish charm and rugged good looks. The two connected quickly, sharing a love of performance and a deep understanding of the pressures of fame.
They married in 1968, and their relationship initially seemed filled with promise. The same year, Kim Darby gave birth to their daughter, Heather Elias. Unfortunately, the pressures of young marriage, public scrutiny, and demanding careers began to take their toll. Within a year, their marriage deteriorated, and they divorced in 1969.
Despite their short marriage, Darby and Stacy remained linked through their daughter. Heather grew up largely out of the public eye, though she has occasionally spoken about her parents with fondness and respect.
Tragically, James Stacy’s life took a dramatic turn in the years following their divorce. In 1973, he was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that resulted in the loss of his left arm and leg. Stacy made a remarkable comeback, continuing to act and even earning an Emmy nomination for his role in Just a Little Inconvenience (1977), a film about a disabled Vietnam War veteran. He passed away in 2016, leaving behind a legacy of resilience.
Subsequent Marriages
After her divorce from James Stacy, Kim Darby went on to marry three more times, though these relationships were also short-lived.
Her second marriage was to James Westmoreland, another actor known for his television appearances during the 1960s and 1970s. They tied the knot in 1970, but their marriage lasted only a few months before ending in divorce the same year.
Darby’s third marriage was to William Tennant, a relationship that took place in the mid-1970s. Little is publicly known about Tennant or their marriage, but like her earlier relationships, it ended in divorce.
Her fourth and final marriage was to Jack La Rue Jr., the son of classic Hollywood actor Jack La Rue. This marriage, too, was brief and ended quietly. After that, Kim Darby chose not to remarry, focusing instead on raising her daughter and rebuilding her career.
Life After Divorce
By the 1980s, Kim Darby’s career had slowed down, but she never completely left the entertainment world. She continued to appear in occasional television roles, including guest appearances on shows such as Murder, She Wrote, The Streets of San Francisco, and Rich Man, Poor Man.
As Hollywood’s demands changed, Darby reinvented herself. She transitioned from acting to teaching, becoming an acting instructor at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). There, she shared her experience and insights with aspiring actors, emphasizing emotional truth and vulnerability in performance — the very qualities that had defined her own success.
Darby also faced personal challenges, including struggles with self-confidence and substance dependency. In interviews, she has spoken candidly about the difficulties of growing up in show business and the pressures that come with early fame. Yet, her honesty and courage in confronting those issues only add depth to her legacy.
Kim Darby’s Legacy
Kim Darby’s impact on Hollywood goes far beyond her brief peak as a young actress. Her portrayal of Mattie Ross in True Grit remains one of the most beloved performances in American film history. Her ability to convey strength, innocence, and determination inspired generations of actresses who followed her.
In later years, Darby became something of a cult figure, beloved by classic film fans and admired by critics who see her as a symbol of authenticity in an often superficial industry. Her teaching career and mentorship also left an important mark, helping nurture the next generation of performers.
Despite the turbulence in her personal life, Kim Darby has continued to live with quiet dignity, away from Hollywood’s glare. Her daughter, Heather, has spoken about how her mother instilled in her a deep sense of independence and resilience.
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