Get to Know Mary Crosby Spouses: Meet Mark Brodka and Ed Lottimer

Mary Crosby, best known for her memorable portrayal of Kristin Shepard—the woman who shot J.R.—in the iconic TV series Dallas, has led a life shaped by both Hollywood glamour and personal evolution.

Born Mary Frances Crosby on September 14, 1959, in Los Angeles, California, she is the daughter of entertainment legend Bing Crosby and actress Kathryn Grant. Raised in a Roman Catholic household, Mary comes from a high-profile showbiz lineage that helped set the stage for her own career in the spotlight.

She is the youngest of three children from her father’s second marriage, with two full siblings—Harry Lillis Crosby III (born 1958) and Nathaniel Crosby (born 1961). She also has four older half-siblings—Gary Crosby, Dennis Crosby, Phillip Crosby, Harry Crosby, and Lindsay Crosby—from Bing Crosby’s first marriage to Dixie Lee.

Mary attended high school in Los Angeles before enrolling at the University of Texas at Austin. However, after a year and a half, she left college to pursue acting full-time—ultimately landing the career-defining role in Dallas.

She married singer-songwriter Eb Lottimer on November 24, 1978, after dating since 1977 and living together—a decision that reportedly clashed with her father’s conservative values. The couple divorced in 1989 and had no children.

In 1998, she married Mark Brodka, a producer and attorney. Together, they have two sons: Brent Brodka, born in 1999, and Christopher Brodka, born in 2002. The family lives in Malibu, California.

Standing at 5 feet 5 inches tall, Mary Crosby continues to draw interest for both her acting legacy and her connections to one of America’s most enduring entertainment dynasties.

Eb Lottimer

Mary Crosby’s first marriage was to Eb Lottimer, a singer and songwriter born on June 21, 1951. The couple tied the knot on November 24, 1978, when Mary was just 19 years old, in a non-sectarian ceremony.

Their relationship began in 1977, and Mary’s decision to live with Lottimer before marriage was notable, as it went against the traditional values her father, Bing Crosby, had publicly expressed.

In a candid reflection, Mary once shared that her father had told Barbara Walters he would disown her if she lived with a man before marriage. However, Bing Crosby passed away in October 1977, before their marriage, sparing a potential confrontation. Mary noted, “I’m grateful that I never had to use one of Daddy’s greatest lessons to me—that there is a time to be selfish—in a way that would have hurt him.”

Eb Lottimer, though less prominent in the public eye than Mary, was involved in the entertainment industry as a musician. The couple’s marriage lasted over a decade, ending in divorce in 1989. While the specific reasons for their separation remain private, sources suggest that differing life goals may have contributed to their parting ways.

During their 11-year marriage, Mary and Eb did not have any children. Despite the divorce, Mary’s resilience and grace in navigating personal challenges shone through, a trait she attributed to her ability to confront conflicts with clarity.

Lottimer’s life after the divorce is less documented, and he has maintained a relatively low profile. However, his time with Mary Crosby remains a significant part of her story, marking her early years as she rose to fame with her breakout role in Dallas (1979–1981, 1991), where she played the cunning Kristin Shepard, famously known for the “Who shot J.R.?” cliffhanger.

Mark Brodka

After her divorce from Eb Lottimer, Mary Crosby found love again with Mark Brodka, whom she married in 1998. Their wedding took place at the Crosby family ranch with 60 guests in attendance, marking the beginning of a partnership that has endured for over 27 years.

Mark Brodka, born on December 1, 1956, in California, is a multifaceted professional known for his work as a movie producer, executive, and attorney specializing in real estate and personal injury law in California.

Brodka’s contributions to the entertainment industry include producing documentaries such as Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes (2018) and The Legendary Bing Crosby (2010), the latter of which likely held personal significance due to Mary’s connection to her father.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Brodka is best known to the public as Mary Crosby’s supportive husband. The couple has two sons, Brent and Christopher, born in 1999 and 2002, respectively, and they reside on a ranch in Malibu, California, in a rustic area above Pacific Coast Highway.

Their life together has not been without challenges. In 2010, Mary and Mark were involved in a legal dispute with their neighbor, Susan Demers, a horse trainer, over an easement allowing Demers to cross their property to access a federal park for horse riding.

The lawsuit, which also involved Demers’ friend Martha Gwinn, was resolved provisionally in 2013 through a preliminary injunction. The court ordered Mary and Mark to allow Demers access and provide a remote-control device for a gate on their property. This legal episode highlighted their commitment to protecting their privacy and property, a reflection of their desire for a quieter life away from Hollywood’s glare.

Despite such challenges, Mary and Mark’s marriage has been described as strong and happy, with no rumors of divorce or separation. Mary has expressed contentment with her family life, stating, “I just feel really in love with life and the life I’ve created with my family. So it works for me.”

Their shared life on the Malibu ranch, raising their two sons, reflects a grounded partnership rooted in mutual support and shared values.