Dee Jay Mathis is a name that many people know because of her marriage to the famous Hollywood actor James Caan. While she had her own career as an actress and dancer, most people remember her as the first wife of the star from “The Godfather” movie. Her life story is interesting, even though she chose to stay away from the public eye for many years.
Personal Info
| Full Name | Dee Jay Mathis |
|---|---|
| Birth Year | 1941 |
| Birthplace | New York, United States |
| Age | 83 years old (as of 2024) |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Former Actress and Dancer |
| Famous For | Being James Caan’s first wife |
| Marriage Duration | 1961 – 1966 (5 years) |
| Children | 1 daughter (Tara A. Caan) |
| Height | 5 feet 7 inches |
| Current Status | Living a private life |
Early Life and Background
Dee Jay Mathis was born in 1941 in New York, United States. She grew up during a time when Hollywood was becoming more popular and exciting. Not much is known about her childhood, parents, or siblings because Dee Jay has always been a private person. She never shared many details about her family or early years with the public.
As a young woman, Dee Jay had big dreams. She loved performing arts, especially dancing and acting. This passion led her to move to Los Angeles, California, where she hoped to start a career in the entertainment world. Los Angeles was the perfect place for someone with her talents because it was the home of Hollywood.
Career as a Dancer and Actress
Dee Jay Mathis started her career in the entertainment industry during the late 1950s and early 1960s. She worked as a professional dancer and appeared on television shows. One of her most notable works was performing as a dancer on “The Mitch Miller Show” in 1959. This show was quite popular during that time.
She also got a chance to work in theater. Dee Jay was part of the original dancing group for a stage play called “First Impressions” in 1959. In this production, she even worked as an understudy for one of the characters named Kitty Bennett.
When it comes to movies, Dee Jay appeared in two films, though her roles were small and uncredited. In 1964, she played a small part in a comedy movie called “The Patsy.” Two years later, in 1966, she appeared in “Frankie and Johnny,” where she played the role of an Earl Barton Dancer.
Although her acting career was short and she didn’t become a big star, Dee Jay made her mark in the entertainment industry in her own way. Her talent was real, but her time in Hollywood didn’t last long.
Meeting and Marrying James Caan
The most famous part of Dee Jay Mathis’s life is her relationship with James Caan. The couple met in 1959 in Los Angeles. At that time, both of them were young and working hard to build their careers. James Caan was studying acting and trying to become a successful actor, while Dee Jay was pursuing her dancing and acting dreams.
They fell in love and started dating. After about two years of being together, they decided to get married. Their wedding took place in 1961 when both were in their early twenties. The ceremony was attended by close friends and family members in Los Angeles.
During their marriage, James Caan was still working on becoming famous. He hadn’t yet starred in the movies that would make him a Hollywood legend. Dee Jay supported him during these early years of his career.
Life as a Mother
Three years into their marriage, on November 5, 1964, Dee Jay and James welcomed their daughter, Tara A. Caan. Becoming a mother was an important moment in Dee Jay’s life. Their daughter Tara grew up and chose to live a quiet life, staying away from the spotlight, much like her mother.
Tara is now in her sixties and has kept her personal life very private. She did try acting and appeared in a few small projects like “Greener” and “Mercy,” but she never pursued a big career in Hollywood.
The Divorce
Sadly, Dee Jay Mathis and James Caan’s marriage didn’t last long. After five years together, the couple divorced in 1966. The reasons for their separation were never made public. Both Dee Jay and James chose to keep the details of their divorce private.
Divorce is never easy, especially when a child is involved. However, both parents seemed to handle it quietly and moved on with their lives in different ways.
James Caan’s Later Marriages
After divorcing Dee Jay, James Caan went on to marry three more times. His second wife was Sheila Marie Ryan, whom he married in 1976. They had a son named Scott Caan, who became a successful actor known for his role in the TV show “Hawaii Five-0.” However, this marriage also ended in divorce after just one year.
James’s third marriage was to Ingrid Hajek in 1990, and they had a son named Alexander James Caan. This marriage lasted until 1994. His fourth and final marriage was to Linda Stokes in 1995, and they had two sons together before divorcing in 2017.
Throughout all these marriages, Dee Jay Mathis remained his first wife and an important part of his early life story.
Life After Divorce
After her divorce from James Caan, Dee Jay Mathis made a choice that many people find surprising. She completely stepped away from the entertainment industry and public life. She didn’t act in any more movies or appear on television. She also didn’t remarry or have any other public relationships.
Instead, Dee Jay chose to focus on raising her daughter Tara and living a quiet, private life. She avoided interviews, red carpet events, and any kind of media attention. Even when James Caan became very famous for his role in “The Godfather” in 1972, Dee Jay stayed out of the spotlight.
This choice to live privately shows that Dee Jay valued her peace and personal life more than fame or attention.
James Caan’s Death
James Caan passed away on July 6, 2022, at the age of 82. He died at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center in Los Angeles from a heart attack. His death brought attention back to his life, his career, and his family, including his first wife, Dee Jay Mathis.
Even after his death, Dee Jay continued to maintain her privacy. She didn’t make any public statements or appear in the media.
Where Is She Now?
Today, Dee Jay Mathis is believed to be in her early eighties. She continues to live a private life away from cameras and journalists. No one knows exactly where she lives or what she does with her time. She doesn’t have any known social media accounts, and she hasn’t given any interviews in recent years.
Her choice to stay private for more than 50 years shows her strong desire to live life on her own terms, without the pressure of being connected to a famous Hollywood star.
Legacy and Memory
While Dee Jay Mathis’s acting career was brief, her story remains interesting to many people. She represents a different time in Hollywood when not everyone wanted to be famous. She had the chance to stay in the spotlight because of her connection to James Caan, but she chose a different path.
Her life reminds us that being connected to fame doesn’t mean you have to seek it for yourself. Sometimes, the most peaceful life is one lived away from cameras and public attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who is Dee Jay Mathis? Dee Jay Mathis is a former American actress and dancer, best known as the first wife of the late actor James Caan.
2. How old is Dee Jay Mathis? She was born in 1941, making her around 83 years old as of 2024.
3. When did Dee Jay Mathis marry James Caan? They got married in 1961 after dating for about two years.
4. How long were Dee Jay Mathis and James Caan married? Their marriage lasted five years, from 1961 to 1966.
5. Do Dee Jay Mathis and James Caan have children? Yes, they have one daughter together named Tara A. Caan, born in 1964.
6. What movies did Dee Jay Mathis appear in? She appeared in two films: “The Patsy” (1964) and “Frankie and Johnny” (1966), both in small, uncredited roles.
7. Did Dee Jay Mathis remarry after her divorce? No, there is no public record of Dee Jay remarrying after her divorce from James Caan.
8. Where is Dee Jay Mathis now? She lives a very private life, and her current location is not publicly known.
9. Why did Dee Jay Mathis leave Hollywood? After her divorce in 1966, she chose to step away from the entertainment industry to live a private life and focus on raising her daughter.
10. Is Dee Jay Mathis on social media? No, Dee Jay Mathis does not have any known social media accounts and maintains complete privacy.
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