14 Facts About Slim Keith

Slim Keith is credited with bringing Lauren Bacall to Hollywood's attention by showing her then-husband, producer Howard Hawks, a magazine cover with Bacall's picture on it.

Slim Keith was born Mary Raye Gross in Salinas, California to Edward Gross and Raye Nell Boyer Gross.

Slim Keith's father was a successful businessman who owned several canneries in nearby Monterey.

Slim Keith had an older sister named Theodora and a younger brother named Buddy.

Slim Keith was included on that celebrated fashion magazine's "best-dressed" list for years, and in 1946 won a Neiman Marcus Fashion Award.

Slim Keith considered a career in opera, before deciding it was too demanding.

Slim Keith left school at the age of 16 and traveled to Death Valley.

Slim Keith thus became a Hollywood socialite and was frequently seen at parties with Gary Cooper and Cary Grant.

Slim Keith was pursued romantically by Clark Gable, as well as Ernest Hemingway.

Hawks was unable to remain faithful and shortly after the birth of their daughter Kitty Hawks, Slim Keith moved to Havana to stay with Ernest Hemingway.

Slim Keith later wrote that Hayward had been the one love of her life even though he had left her for Pamela Churchill.

Slim Keith banished Capote from her life when he used her as the unflattering model for the fictional Lady Coolbirth of his infamous and unfinished Answered Prayers.

Slim Keith was portrayed in the film Infamous by Hope Davis, and mentioned briefly in Rear Window as Slim Hayward.

Slim Keith was depicted in Melanie Benjamin's The Swans of Fifth Avenue.