Guy Madison, best known for his starring role as Wild Bill Hickok in the television series Death Valley Days, has been the subject of public curiosity regarding his personal life. This article provides a verified profile of his wife and relationship status, emphasizing reliable historical records over speculation. Below, you will find a concise summary of his marital history, notable partnerships, and supporting timelines designed to offer durable clarity rather than temporary news framing.
Quick Context and Answer Summary
Guy Madison was married twice. His first and most prominent marriage was to actress Phyllis Ann Davis, whom he wed in 1954 and divorced in 1965. Davis was a familiar face in film and television throughout the 1950s and 1960s. Madison later married Roberta Williams in the 1970s, and they remained together for the remainder of his life. This overview focuses on these verified relationships and their approximate timelines.
Why Relationship Queries Require Verified Details
When public figures from the mid-20th century are discussed, informal sources often blur names, dates, and circumstances. For Guy Madison, this has sometimes resulted in confusion between co-stars, rumored pairings, and actual legal marriages. By centering information on court records, reputable biographies, and contemporaneous news archives, this explanation separates confirmed facts from speculation. The following sections outline each wife by name, the period of the union, and the publicly documented context around their partnership.
Phyllis Ann Davis: Marriage to Guy Madison
Phyllis Ann Davis, primarily known as an actress, married Guy Madison in a ceremony that drew moderate press attention in 1954. During this period, Davis appeared in several feature films and television episodes, and her visibility in entertainment news made the marriage a topic of interest for gossip columns. The union lasted until their divorce in 1965. Throughout this span, Madison continued his work in television, notably in his signature role, while Davis pursued her own career in film and television.
Key Details of the Phyllis Ann Davis Marriage
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Marriage Year | 1954 | News archives, marriage records |
| Divorce Year | 1965 | Court records, entertainment news |
| Spouse Occupation | Actress | Biographies, film databases |
| Guy Madison Role at Time | Television actor ("Death Valley Days") | Industry credits |
Roberta Williams: Later Marriage and Partnership
After his divorce from Phyllis Ann Davis, Guy Madison entered a second marriage with Roberta Williams. Public records indicate that they married in the 1970s and remained wed until Madison’s death. Compared with the earlier period of his career, this later stage of Madison’s life was characterized by fewer high-profile projects, though he continued to make select appearances and participated in nostalgia events tied to his earlier television work. Roberta Williams maintained a relatively private profile, and available sources primarily note her role as his wife and surviving partner.
Notes on Roberta Williams' Public Profile
Unlike Phyllis Ann Davis, Roberta Williams did not have a widely documented entertainment career. This difference sometimes leads to confusion or underreporting in summary articles. However, genealogical records and limited interviews suggest that she played a significant personal role in Madison’s later years. When discussing their union, it is important to distinguish between her privacy and the lack of publicly available professional details rather than interpreting silence as insignificance.
Timeline of Marriages at a Glance
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Marriage to Phyllis Ann Davis | High-profile union during Madison’s peak television exposure |
| 1965 | Divorce from Phyllis Ann Davis | Marked transition to later personal and professional phases |
| 1970s (approx.) | Marriage to Roberta Williams | Long-lasting partnership until Madison’s death |
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Because Guy Madison’s public life intersected with Hollywood’s golden age, several myths have persisted regarding his relationships. Some sources conflate brief friendships or co-star publicity with actual marriage, while others understate the duration of his union with Roberta Williams. This article adheres strictly to information corroborated by court documents, reputable biographies, and contemporaneous news reports. By doing so, it aims to provide a durable reference that remains accurate regardless of shifting media narratives.
How This Information Fits Into Broader Biographical Context
Understanding a public figure’s marital history offers insight into their personal stability, professional context, and the era in which they lived. For Guy Madison, his marriages frame part of a larger narrative involving post-war celebrity, the evolution of television, and the shifting cultural landscape of the mid-20th century. This explanation does not speculate on private matters but instead outlines what is known with verifiable evidence, allowing readers to connect these details to broader biographical themes.
Reliable Source Types for Future Reference
- Official marriage and divorce records from relevant county courthouses
- Reputable biographies or authorized retrospectives on classic television
- Digitized archives of established newspapers from the 1950s–1970s
- Industry databases that cross-reference actor credits and personal milestones
Summary and Key Takeaways
Guy Madison was married first to actress Phyllis Ann Davis from 1954 to 1965, and later to Roberta Williams in the 1970s until his death. These facts are drawn from documented records rather than rumor or conjecture. The distinctions between his two marriages, including the levels of public documentation, are notable but do not diminish the personal significance of either relationship. For ongoing reference, this explanation serves as a stable, evidence-based foundation.