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Kathleen Dugan

From EverybodyWiki Bios & Wiki

Kathleen Dugan
BornKathleen Mary Dugan
(1938-04-17)April 17, 1938
Omaha, Nebraska, U.S.
💀DiedMarch 2, 2002(2002-03-02) (aged 63)
Indian Wells, California, U.S.March 2, 2002(2002-03-02) (aged 63)
🏳️ NationalityAmerican
Other names
  • Kathleen Avanzino
  • Big Kathy
  • Kathleen Richards
  • Kathleen Catain
  • Kathleen Fenton
🎓 Alma materJames Madison University
💼 Occupation
Socialite • casting director
📆 Years active  1958–2002
👩 Spouse(s)
  • Larry Avanzino
    (m. 1958; divorce 1963)
  • Ken Richards
    (m. 1964; divorce 1979)
  • Jack Catain Jr.
    (m. 1980; divorce 1982)
  • Robert Fenton Jr. (m. 1999)
👶 ChildrenKathy • Kim • Kyle

Kathleen Mary Fenton (née Dugan; April 17, 1938 – March 2, 2002) was an American socialite and casting director. She was best known as the mother of Kathy Hilton, Kim Richards and Kyle Richards.

Early life[edit]

Kathleen Mary Dugan was born in Omaha, Nebraska on April 17, 1938,[1][2] as the third of four children to Edward John Dugan Sr. (1901–1976)[3] and Dorothy Ann Dugan (née Callahan; 1908–1997).[4] She had two elder siblings, brother Edward James Dugan Jr. (1932–2003)[5][6][7] and sister Madonna Jean Downes (née Dugan; 1935–2022),[8][9][10] and a younger brother Charles M Dugan (1941–2012).[11][12][13] She came from Irish ancestry.[14][15][16][17]

Dugan graduated from James Madison University, a public university in Virginia, in 1958.[18]

Career[edit]

Dugan began her career working at a cosmetics counter during her first pregnancy.[19] She continued her career as the casting director on Escape, a 1990 thriller film which was co-produced by her daughter Kim and her former son-in-law Monty Brinson.[20] Her career as a homemaker and an artist spanned from 1977 until her death.[2]

Personal life[edit]

Dugan attended the St. Margaret's Episcopal Church in Palm Desert, California.[15]

Marriages, children and family[edit]

Dugan was married four times, and had three daughters from her first two marriages. She may have married one husband twice.[21]

Dugan eloped with painter and decorator Laurence Kenneth "Larry" Avanzino in June 1958 - at the age of of 20 - after discovering she was in the early stages of pregnancy.[14] The couple were married before a Catholic priest in Manhasset, New York on August 16, 1958.[22] Their only child, Kathleen Avanzino, was born seven months later.[23][24] Avanzino came from Italian ancestry.[14] The couple separated in 1962, after she began an affair with Richards.[19] Their divorce was finalized in 1963.[25] Her daughter became a member of the Hilton family upon her marriage to Richard Hilton in 1979.[26][27] Avanzino died on February 18, 1997. He was 61.[28][29]

Dugan married businessman and retired lieutenant colonel Ken Richards[30] in Queens, New York on January 28, 1964.[31] They had two daughters together; Kimberly Richards and Kyle Richards.[32][33] She gained three grown stepchildren upon this marriage.[25][34] The couple separated in 1972.[14][25] Their divorce was finalized on May 17, 1979.[35]

Dugan married known mobster Jack Catain Jr.[36][37] in Los Angeles, California on July 4, 1980.[38] She gained two grown stepchildren upon this marriage.[39][40] The couple later separated and their divorce was finalized on March 16, 1982.[41]

Dugan married aerospace worker Robert Conrad "Bob" Fenton Jr. in Palm Springs, California on December 19, 1999.[2] She gained three grown stepdaughters upon this marriage.[42] Her widower died on March 28, 2005. He was 75.[42]

Dugan had taught her daughters from a young age to "marry rich" and "have lots of babies with rich men." She later boasted to her friends: "my daughters are married to men who have a total net worth of US$13 billion."[21][43]

Dugan had 11 grandchildren; Paris, Nicky, Barron, and Conrad through Kathy,[27] Brooke and three others through Kim,[17] and Farrah, Alexia and Sophia through Kyle. Another granddaughter, Portia, was born five years later.[44]

Death[edit]

Dugan died from breast cancer at her daughter's residence in Indian Wells, California on March 2, 2002. She was 63.[2] She was diagnosed with stage 3[45] breast cancer after skipping her routine mammograms out of fear for five years.[46] Her memorial service was held at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills on March 18.[2] Dugan was cremated at the Forest Lawn Cemetery. Her ashes were split between her daughters.[15]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Notes Ref(s)
1990 Escape Casting director [20]

In popular culture[edit]

Dugan was the losely based inspiration behind the character of Bonnie (portrayed by Alicia Silverstone)[47][48] in the Paramount Network sitcom American Woman. The series was inspired by the childhood of her daughter Kyle.[49] On September 5, 2018, it was announced that the series had been canceled after one season.[50]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-1994: 17 APR 1938 DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA – Kathleen M Dugan 05824
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 "Kathleen Richards Fenton Obituary (2002)". Legacy.com. March 16, 2002. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  3. ↑ California, U.S., Death Index, 1940-1997: 27 AUG 1976 (aged 75) LOS ANGELES – Edward J Dugan SS# 507220113
  4. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: 3 AUG 1997 (aged 88) HERSHEY – Dorothy C Dugan SS# 071-42-7472
  5. ↑ Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-1994, Birth Index, 1912-1994: 29 NOV 1932 DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA – Edward J Dugan 20651
  6. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: 20 APR 2003 (aged 70) HERSHEY – Edward J Dugan Jr SS# 073-28-1925
  7. ↑ "Edward J. Dugan Jr. Obituary (2003)". Legacy.com. April 22, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  8. ↑ Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-1994: 10 AUG 1935 DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA – Madonna Jean Dugan 13257
  9. ↑ U.S., Obituary Collection, 1930-Current: 2 SEPT 2022 (aged 87) ELIZABETHTOWN – Madonna J. Downes
  10. ↑ "Madonna Downes Obituary (2022)". Legacy.com. September 9, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  11. ↑ Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-1994: 28 APR 1941 DOUGLAS, NEBRASKA – Charles M Dugan 05636
  12. ↑ U.S., Find a Grave® Index, 1600s-Current: 29 MAY 2012 (aged 71) FREEPORT – Charles M. Dugan
  13. ↑ "Charles M. Dugan Obituary (2012)". Legacy.com. May 26, 2012. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 Oppenheimer, Jerry (2006). House of Hilton. Crown Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307351951. Search this book on
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 15.2 Adina, Dr (September 29, 2021). "#BravoGenealogy: Tracing Big Kathy's Family Tree". My Family Genie. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  16. ↑ Richards, Kyle (November 11, 2010). "Drama in the City". Bravo TV Official Site. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  17. ↑ 17.0 17.1 Bush, Samantha (June 7, 2021). "Everything I Learned About "Big Kathy" (Kathy, Kim, & Kyle's Mom) During One Sleepless Night". The Dipp. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  18. ↑ U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016: Kathleen Mary Dugan 1958 – James Madison University
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 Choi, Jessica (April 1, 2023). "Paris Hilton's Grandmother 'Big Kathy' Had A Scandalous Past". Nicki Swift. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 "Kathy Richards". IMDb. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 Madriga, Emily (February 27, 2018). "32 Juicy Details From 'House Of Hilton' About Kathy, Kyle, and Kim Richards, The Hiltons, And How Effed Up Famous Families Really Are". Thought Catalog. Retrieved December 31, 2023.
  22. ↑ New York, New York, U.S., Marriage License Indexes, 1907-2018: 1958 QUEENS – Kathleen Dugan = Lawrence Avanzino 2949
  23. ↑ Gurvis, Sandra (2011). Paris Hilton: A Biography. Greenwood Publishing Group. ISBN 9780313379406. Their daughter and Paris's mother, 'little' Kathleen Elizabeth Avanzino, was born seven months after the impromptu wedding, on March 13, 1959. Search this book on
  24. ↑ Oppenheimer, Jerry (2006). House of Hilton. Crown Publishing Group. ISBN 9780307351951. On March 13, 1959, almost seven months after the church wedding, Kathleen Dugan Avanzino, a month away from turning twenty-one, gave birth to a healthy and beautiful baby girl whom they named Kathleen Elizabeth Avanzino. Search this book on
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Casablanca, Ted; Alper, Kate (March 23, 2010). "Are You Ready for Another Hilton Takeover?". E! Online. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  26. ↑ California, U.S., Marriage Index, 1960-1985: 24 NOV 1979 LOS ANGELES – Kathleen E Avanzino = Richard H Hilton
  27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 Palmer, Tamara (January 27, 2023). "Who Is Kathy Hilton's Husband? All About Rick Hilton". People. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  28. ↑ Massachusetts, U.S., Birth Index, 1860-1970: 26 DEC 1935 34 326 BOSTON – Lawrence Kenneth Avanzino
  29. ↑ U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014: 18 FEB 1997 (aged 61) NEW YORK – Laurence K. Avanzino SS# 095-28-6059
  30. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (June 19, 2017). "Kyle Richards Opens Up About Her Dad and the Life Lessons He Taught Her". Bravo TV Official Site. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  31. ↑ New York State, Marriage Index, 1881-1967: 28 JAN 1964 NEW YORK – Kathie M Dugan = Kenneth E Richards 7686
  32. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (March 3, 2017). "Kyle and Kim Richards Pay Tribute to Their Late Mom, Who Was "Always Taking People Under Her Wing"". Bravo TV Official Site. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  33. ↑ California Birth Index, 1905-1995: 11 JAN 1969 LOS ANGELES – Kyle E Richards
  34. ↑ Moore, Booth (December 9, 2012). "Special occasion calls for a twist with Kathy Hilton". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  35. ↑ California, U.S., Divorce Index, 1966-1984: 17 MAY 1979 VENTURA – Kathleen M Richards = Kenneth E
  36. ↑ Rohrlich, Ted (October 29, 1986). "Have They Finally Cornered Jack Catain?..." Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  37. ↑ Revkin, Andrew C. (February 22, 1987). "Jack Catain, Convicted Tarzana Racketeer, Dies". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  38. ↑ California, U.S., Marriage Index, 1960-1985: 4 JUL 1980 LOS ANGELES – Kathleen M Dugan = Jack M Catain
  39. ↑ Schillinger, Liesl (October 29, 2006). "A Look at Heiresses in Two Distinct Acts". The New York Post. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  40. ↑ "The Family Business". Twin Cities Business. March 11, 2009. Retrieved November 30, 2023.
  41. ↑ California, U.S., Divorce Index, 1966-1984: 16 MAR 1982 LOS ANGELES – Kathleen Catain = Jack M
  42. ↑ 42.0 42.1 "Robert C. Fenton Jr. Obituary (2005)". Legacy.com. April 1, 2005. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  43. ↑ Mulshine, Molly (October 28, 2021). "The Truth About Kathy Hilton's Marriage". Nicki Swift. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  44. ↑ Carpenteir, Megan; Ergas, Talia (March 29, 2023). "Everything You Need to Know About Kyle Richards' Daughters". Bravo TV Official Site. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  45. ↑ Stone, Natalie (July 8, 2020). "RHOBH: Kyle Richards Fears for Kim as She Has Implants Removed — 'I Lost My Mom to Breast Cancer'". People. Retrieved December 24, 2023.
  46. ↑ Rosenfeld, Laura (May 29, 2019). "Kyle Richards Explains Why She Got So Emotional During Her Mammogram on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills". Bravo TV Official Site. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  47. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (August 12, 2016). "Kyle Richards' New TV Project Just Landed Two '90s It Girls". Bravo TV Official Site. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  48. ↑ Berg, Jenny (June 6, 2018). "Kyle Richards Opens Up About Her Late Mother: "Women Weren't Supposed to be Like That"". Bravo TV Official Site. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  49. ↑ Vena, Jocelyn (January 12, 2017). "Kyle Richards Is Ready to Kick It Old School with Her New TV Gig". Bravo TV Official Site. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  50. ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (September 5, 2018). "'American Woman' Canceled at Paramount Network". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved December 2, 2023.


This article "Kathleen Dugan" is from Simple English Wikipedia. The list of its authors can be seen in its historical and/or the page Edithistory:Kathleen Dugan.


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