Kathlyn Corinne MacLean was a teacher, but her profession was not the reason for her fame. She became popular due to her children’s fame, American actor Warren Beatty and actress Shirley MacLaine. Corinne’s son’s acting career spans over six decades, earning him 15 Academy Awards nominations. He is the only person to have ever been nominated for acting in, writing, directing, and producing the same film, and he did it twice: for Heaven Can Wait and for Reds. On the other hand, Corinne’s daughter is known for her portrayals of quirky, eccentric, and strong-willed women.
Get to learn more about Kathlyn Corinne MacLean and her star kids in this biographical post.
Kathlyn Corinne MacLean Bio
Kathlyn Corinne Beaty (MacLean/McLean) was born in North Sydney, Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, Canada, on 23 August 1903. She was the daughter of Murdock Thomas MacLean and Blanche Henrietta (Lehigh) MacLean.
Corinne married Dr. Ira Owens Beatyon on 15 August 1931 in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and together they were blessed with two talented children. Owens was a professor of psychology, a public school administrator, and a real estate agent.
Corinne worked as a drama teacher. She died in 1993, aged 89, in Virginia, United States.
Kathlyn Corinne MacLean Children
Kathlyn’s first child was daughter Shirley MacLean Beaty, popularly known as Shirley MacLaine, born on 24 April 1934. Her mother enrolled her in ballet class at age three since she had weak ankles and occasionally fell over missteps. However, she grew too tall and, in her words, didn’t have the requisite “beautifully constructed feet” ideal for ballet dancers. She moved on to other forms of dancing, acting, and musical theater. While attending Washington-Lee High School, she was on the cheerleading squad and acted in the school’s theatrical productions.
MacLean made her film debut in 1955 in Alfred Hitchcock’s The Trouble with Harry, which won her the Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actress. She had more starring roles in films like Artists and Models (1955), Some Come Running (1958), The Apartment (1960), The Children’s Hour (1961), Sweet Charity (1969), Terms Endearment (1983), Steel Magnolias (1989), and Bernie (2011), among others. Her latest television appearance is in Only Murders in the Building in 2022.
Kathlyn’s second child and only son are Henry Warren Beatty, born on 30 March 1937. He became interested in movies from a young age when he would accompany his sister to theaters. Beatty made a debut in acting, appearing on television shows like Studio One, Kraft Television Theatre, Playhouse 90, and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis. His debut was in the 1961 film Splendor in the Grass, which won him a Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year – Actor.
At 29, Beatty acted in and produced Bonnie and Clyde, which was released in 1967. The film was a critical and commercial success and earned ten Academy Awards nominations. His other works include The Only Game in Town, Dollars, Shampoo, Reds, Bulworth, and Rules Don’t Apply.
Beatty married actress Annette Bening in 1992, and they have four children. In 2012, their oldest child came out as transgender.
Wrapping Up
Kathlyn died a proud mom, knowing her two children had made it as Hollywood stars and had independent careers.
