Cristall Orton is best known as the first wife of American actor James Drury, who became famous for portraying the title character in the long-running Western television series The Virginian. Although her former husband enjoyed a successful Hollywood career, Cristall largely stayed away from the entertainment spotlight.
Her name is sometimes associated with the spelling Cristall Othones or Cristall Othoneos in biographical records. She married James Drury in 1957, during the early years of his acting career. Their marriage lasted until 1964, and they had two sons together.
Unlike many people connected to Hollywood celebrities, Cristall did not establish a public career in entertainment. Information about her professional activities, childhood, and later personal life remains limited.
Her story is primarily documented through her relationship with James Drury and their family.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Cristall Orton |
| Other Name | Cristall Othones |
| Known For | James Drury’s First Wife |
| Date of Birth | Not Publicly Available |
| Age | Not Publicly Known |
| Birthplace | Not Verified |
| Nationality | Not Confirmed |
| Profession | Not Publicly Known |
| Former Husband | James Drury |
| Marriage Date | February 7, 1957 |
| Divorce Date | November 23, 1964 |
| Marriage Duration | Approximately 7 Years |
| Children | Two Sons |
| Son | Timothy Drury |
| Other Son | James Child Drury III |
| Famous Family Connection | Actor James Drury |
| Religion | Not Publicly Known |
| Net Worth | Not Publicly Verified |
| Current Status | Private Life |
Cristall Orton’s Early Life and Background
Cristall Orton has maintained a private personal life, and detailed information about her early years is not widely available.
Public biographical records do not provide consistently verified information about her exact birth date, birthplace, parents, or childhood.
Her name became associated with the entertainment industry through her marriage to James Drury. At the time, Drury was developing his career as an actor, appearing in films and television productions before becoming a major television Western star.
Cristall was part of his life during this important period, although she did not seek the same public recognition.
Because reliable information about her upbringing is limited, claims about her family background and education should be treated cautiously.
Cristall Orton’s Education
There is no sufficiently verified public information about Cristall Orton’s educational background.
Her school history, college attendance, academic qualifications, and professional training have not been established through reliable biographical sources.
Unlike her former husband, whose acting career received extensive media coverage, Cristall remained outside the public entertainment industry.
Cristall Orton and James Drury’s Marriage
Cristall Orton married James Drury on February 7, 1957.
Their wedding took place when Drury was building his acting career in Hollywood. He had already appeared in several films and was gradually becoming recognized for his performances in Western and dramatic productions.
Their marriage began before Drury achieved his greatest television success with The Virginian.
The couple spent several years together and welcomed two sons during their relationship.
Why Did Cristall Orton and James Drury Divorce?
Cristall Orton and James Drury divorced on November 23, 1964.
Their separation ended a marriage that had lasted approximately seven years.
The specific reasons behind their divorce have not been reliably documented in widely available public accounts. Neither speculation nor unverified relationship stories should be treated as an explanation for their separation.
After their divorce, James continued his acting career and eventually married twice more.
Cristall, meanwhile, remained largely outside public attention.
Who Was James Drury?
James Drury was an American actor best known for playing the title character in NBC’s Western television series The Virginian.
He was born on April 18, 1934, in New York City, and developed an interest in acting at an early age.
Before becoming a television star, Drury appeared in several Hollywood productions, including:
- Blackboard Jungle (1955)
- Forbidden Planet (1956)
- Love Me Tender (1956)
- The Last Wagon (1956)
- Bernardine (1957)
- Pollyanna (1960)
- Ride the High Country (1962)
His biggest television success came with The Virginian, which aired from 1962 to 1971.
Drury portrayed the mysterious ranch foreman throughout the series, becoming one of the recognizable faces of American television Westerns.
His performance helped make the show a significant part of the genre’s television history.
In 1991, he was inducted into the Hall of Great Western Performers at the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum.
James Drury died on April 6, 2020, in Houston, Texas, at the age of 85.
Cristall Orton’s Children and Family
Cristall Orton and James Drury had two sons during their marriage.
Their children were born while Drury was developing his career in film and television. Although their father became a recognizable Hollywood personality, the family generally maintained a private personal life.
Timothy Drury
Timothy Drury is the better-known of Cristall and James’s two sons.
He developed a career in music and became a keyboardist, guitarist, and vocalist.
Timothy has performed with established rock groups, including Eagles and Whitesnake.
His musical career gave him an independent identity outside his father’s acting achievements.
He has also worked as a composer and musician in other professional settings.
James Child Drury III
James Child Drury III was the couple’s other son.
He maintained a much lower public profile than his brother Timothy.
Public information about his personal life and professional activities is limited. His name appears in biographical accounts of his father’s family, but detailed information about his life has not been widely documented.
Cristall Orton’s Life After Divorce
Following her divorce from James Drury in 1964, Cristall Orton largely disappeared from public entertainment coverage.
There is limited reliable information about her later relationships, career, residence, or personal activities.
Her former husband continued working in television and film, eventually becoming closely identified with The Virginian.
James married Phyllis Mitchell in 1968, but that marriage also ended in divorce in 1979. Later that year, he married Carl Ann Head, with whom he remained until her death in 2019.
Cristall’s life after her first marriage has remained private, and there is insufficient verified information to describe her later circumstances in detail.
Cristall Orton’s Career and Professional Life
Cristall Orton is not widely documented as an actress or entertainment professional.
Her public recognition comes primarily from her marriage to James Drury and her connection to their two children.
Unlike her former husband, she did not establish a documented Hollywood career.
Information about her occupation, business activities, or professional achievements is not sufficiently available to support specific claims.
It is therefore more accurate to distinguish her public identity from assumptions about her professional life.
Cristall Orton’s Net Worth
Cristall Orton’s net worth is not publicly verified.
There are no sufficiently reliable financial records or established estimates that confirm her personal wealth.
Her former husband’s successful acting career does not provide a basis for calculating her individual financial position.
Without verified information about her income, assets, or investments, assigning her a specific net-worth figure would be misleading.
Interesting Facts About Cristall Orton
- She was James Drury’s first wife: The couple married in February 1957.
- Her marriage lasted approximately seven years: They divorced in November 1964.
- She had two sons with James Drury: Their children are Timothy Drury and James Child Drury III.
- Her former husband starred in The Virginian: Drury played the title character in the NBC Western series from 1962 to 1971.
- Her older son pursued music: Timothy Drury became a professional musician and performed with Eagles and Whitesnake.
- She maintained a private lifestyle: Unlike her former husband, Cristall did not become a public entertainment personality.
- Her name has different spellings in public records: Variations include Cristall Othones and Cristall Othoneos.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cristall Orton
1. Who is Cristall Orton?
Cristall Orton is best known as the first wife of American actor James Drury, famous for playing the lead character in The Virginian. They married in 1957 and divorced in 1964.
2. When did Cristall Orton marry James Drury?
Cristall Orton married James Drury on February 7, 1957. Their marriage lasted until November 23, 1964.
3. How many children did Cristall Orton have with James Drury?
Cristall and James Drury had two sons, Timothy Drury and James Child Drury III.
4. Who is Cristall Orton’s son Timothy Drury?
Timothy Drury is a professional musician, keyboardist, guitarist, and vocalist. He has performed with well-known rock groups, including Eagles and Whitesnake.
5. Why did Cristall Orton and James Drury divorce?
The specific reasons for their divorce have not been reliably documented in public sources. They separated legally in November 1964.
6. Is Cristall Orton an actress?
There is no sufficiently verified information establishing Cristall Orton as a professional actress. She is primarily known through her former marriage to James Drury.
7. What is Cristall Orton’s net worth?
Her net worth has not been publicly verified. There is insufficient reliable financial information to provide an accurate estimate.
Conclusion
Cristall Orton is remembered primarily through her connection to James Drury and their two sons. Her marriage to the actor began in 1957, during the early stages of his Hollywood career, and ended in 1964.
While James went on to achieve lasting recognition through The Virginian, Cristall chose a much more private life. Their son Timothy developed his own career in the music industry, while their other son remained largely outside public attention.
Although many details about Cristall’s personal and professional life remain unknown, her place in James Drury’s family history is a documented part of the actor’s biography.
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