Bautzer Greg

Gregson Edward Bautzer (April 3, 1911 – October 26, 1987) was an American attorney, representing such stars as Ginger Rogers, Ingrid Bergman and Joan Crawford, Kirk Kerkorian, Howard Hughes and William R. Wilkerson. Gregson Edward Bautzer was born in San Pedro, California to Edward H. Bautzer, a descendant of German immigrants, and his wife Blanche Buckhout. Edward Bautzer was a noteworthy member of the San Pedro community, a civic leader, political activist and attorney. Blanche Bautzer, before her marriage, had been a schoolteacher. Bautzer attended San Pedro High School where he was an exemplary student. A focused, self-disciplined young man acknowledged for scholastic achievement, he was also gifted with a congenial charisma and enthusiasm, endowed with a personality that easily attracted friendships.

While in high school, Bautzer took an active interest in public speaking and while yet a teen-ager, garnered community recognition for his debating skills. He proceeded to enter national oratorical competitions, in 1926, taking second place in the West Coast division of the National Oratorical Contest, winning two hundred fifty dollars. The Los Angeles Times covered his competitive achievements. His father had died when Bautzer was ten years old and early on the son professed his intention to follow in his father’s footsteps by also practicing law. After his father’s death, Bautzer’s widowed mother returned to the teaching profession and Bautzer also contributed financially by taking after school jobs, selling newspapers, performing janitorial work on yachts harbored in San Pedro and waiting on tables in local eateries.

In 1927, Bautzer and his mother relocated to Los Angeles, where she had been appointed to position of principal in an area school. In 1928, Bautzer entered the University of Southern California as a scholarship student. He became a member of the Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity, the Skull and Dagger honor society and captain of the varsity debate team. In 1930, he was honored by being selected as one of three university students to be on the All California Collegiate Debate team. Bautzer graduated with a bachelor’s degree from USC in June of 1932. Before continuing his education at USC law school, Bautzer took a year off from his studies to work and save money. Bautzer obtained his law degree in 1936.

While attending law school, Bautzer met a young area socialite, Marion Jahns. They were married on January 2, 1935. Bautzer was engaged to actresses Barbara Payton, Lana Turner and Dorothy Lamour. He had a brief marriage to the actress Buff Cobb, divorcing after six months. He later married actress Dana Wynter on June 10, 1956. They had one son, Mark Ragan Bautzer, and divorced in 1981. Bautzer died of heart failure at his Beverly Hills home on October 26, 1987 at the age of 76. He is interred at Westwood Memorial Park.