Biography

Bobby Van married starlet Diane Garrett in 1952. They adopted a son, Peter, in 1959. They separated in 1964 and finalized the divorce in 1966. He and Diana Garrett (real name Ernestine Garrett. DOB 11/7/1927 per marriage license) were married on September 11, 1952, but kept the marriage secret until January 1953 (Reno-Nevada State Journal, January 11, 1953).

Bobby and Diane attempted to have children for several years, but after losing a near-term baby in 1956 (The Progress-Index, Petersburg-Colonial Heights, Virginia, December 16, 1956: "Medics give Diana 'restored-to-health' certificate following the cancellation of the Vans stork date"], they adopted a son in 1959 named Peter, 9 months after taking him in as a five-day-old baby (Independent, Feb. 22, 1961).

In 1959, Both Van and Garrett were injured in when their car was rear-ended (with passenger Judy Garland with them) (L.A. Times, November 13, 1959) and sued the other driver, seeking $107,000. Diane claimed she was unable to move for three weeks after the accident, both she and Bobby claimed back injury. Bobby was awarded $1,500 and Diana $5,000. (L.A. Times, November 20, 1959). Judy Garland testified for the Vans.

They separated (Vidette Messenger of Porter County, January 11, 1964) in January 1964 and the divorce was final on September 27, 1966 despite rumors of a reconciliation in July 1964 (Pasadena Independent July 6, 1964). He had returned to town as his son was undergoing emergency hip surgery, not to reconcile. In November 1964, Walter Winchell stated in his column that Van "(recently divorced after a dozen years) hopes to persuade actress Emmaline Henry to be his new spouse." (Indianapolis Star, November 14, 1964).

- IMDb mini biography by: bjb