The Unforgettable Love Story of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard

Clark Gable, the iconic actor, was laid to rest next to his beloved wife, Carole Lombard, in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

As the funeral ended and the limousine drove away, Kay Gable, Clark's third wife, felt a deep sense of emptiness.

She had witnessed her daughter Joanie staring blankly at the passing cars, and her son Bunker taking one last look at the cemetery gates.

All she knew was that Clark was gone, and their house in Encino would never be the same without him.

When Kay first met Clark, she found him to be a fascinating mix of shyness and toughness, someone who cared deeply for others but struggled to express himself.

She couldn't bring herself to ask him what was troubling him or why he built walls around his emotions.

Rumors circulated that Clark never truly moved on from his love for Carole Lombard, his late wife.

Hollywood was filled with stories, anecdotes, and memories of their legendary love, marriage, and tragic end.

Clark and Carole first crossed paths in 1932 on the set of “No Man of Her Own.”

Carole, a slender and resilient woman with scars from a car accident, had just recovered from a nervous breakdown.

Despite their undeniable connection, Carole was married to William Powell, and Clark was still wed to Maria Langham, his second wife.

Their paths crossed again three years later at a dance.

Carole was now divorced, and Clark's marriage was on the verge of ending.

Sparks flew between them during the evening, leading to a heated argument that left Carole storming off the dance floor.

However, the next morning, a crate of doves arrived at Clark's door as a peace offering from Carole.

This marked the beginning of their passionate love story.

On March 29, 1939, Clark and Carole tied the knot in Arizona.

Their wedding was filled with symbolic gestures, such as doves flying out of a wedding cake.

Their love flourished in their Encino ranch, where Carole embraced a life far removed from the Hollywood glamour.

She woke up before dawn to tend to the livestock, learned to milk cows and pitch hay, and even mastered hunting and shooting.

Carole cherished every moment because she loved Clark, and he loved her in return.

Carole's fierce loyalty was evident when she confronted an actress on set who claimed she would add Clark to her collection.

Without hesitation, Carole delivered a swift kick and made it clear that either the actress left the picture or Clark would refuse to work.

Together, Carole and Clark left the set, hand-in-hand.

However, their relationship wasn't without its challenges.

One day, Carole left for Indiana to sell war bonds, following a disagreement with Clark.

As she departed, she playfully imitated a dove through the car window, unaware of the tragedy that awaited her.

On January 16, 1942, Clark received a telegram informing him that Carole's plane had crashed in the mountains.

Desperate to see her one last time, he disregarded the advice of his friend and rushed towards the silent forms.

Carole's burial five days later left Clark unable to shed a tear.

Devastated by Carole's loss, Clark enlisted in the army and wore a chain around his neck with Carole's jeweled ear-clips.

Despite his pain, he continued his acting career and fulfilled Carole's last wish to entertain troops during the war.

Years later, after a decade of absence, Clark reappeared in Kay's life.

Both had gone through failed marriages, and they were different people.

In the garden of their Encino ranch, amidst the roses Carole had planted, Clark finally asked Kay the question she had longed to hear.

Clark's final words before his death expressed his gratitude for the happiness Kay had brought into his life.

He acknowledged her courage and unwavering love.

Clark Gable, now buried beside Carole Lombard, had loved two extraordinary women in his lifetime.

Kay was not a replacement for Carole but a person he loved for herself.

Now, Clark's remarkable journey has come to an end, leaving behind a legacy of unforgettable love and timeless movies.

Note: This article originally appeared in the April 1961 issue of Photoplay Magazine and was written by Jim Hoffman.

Clark's last film was “The Misfits” by U-A.