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Barbara Rush, Warren Cowan's 1959 wedding album is a who’s who of Hollywood Royalty

Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan's daughter, FOX News Channel senior correspondent Claudia Cowan, shares exclusive photos from her parents' wedding in 1959

By Claudia Cowan Fox News
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The wedding album sits on my desk, held together by tape and aged binding. It’s more than a family heirloom, though. It’s a time capsule that lets Hollywood’s Golden Age spring to life.

The date was June 14, 1959. My mother, rising movie star Barbara Rush, married my father, Warren Cowan, founder of Rogers & Cowan, still Hollywood's premier PR firm. Their hosts? Tony Curtis and Janet Leigh, who'd played matchmaker to the couple and opened their Beverly Hills home for the ceremony.

The guest list reads like a marquee: Frank Sinatra trading quips with Milton Berle; Dean Martin juggling a cigarette and dinner plate at the buffet; Ronald Reagan discussing the menu with Mom.

Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan got married on Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis' Beverly Hills estate.

Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan posed for a photo with their mothers on their wedding day in 1959 at Janet Leigh and Tony Curtis' estate in Beverly Hills. (Claudia Cowan) (Claudia Cowan)

'BATMAN' ACTRESS BARBARA RUSH REFLECTS ON BEFRIENDING ROCK HUDSON, MARILYN MONROE AND MORE HOLLYWOOD ICONS

There's Jack Lemmon signing the marriage license as a witness. Shirley MacLaine doubled over in laughter. Doris Day, Edward G. Robinson, Louis Jourdan, Rock Hudson, Peter Lawford and Patricia Kennedy, Jack Benny, Gene Kelly, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood — all rubbing elbows with the newlyweds.

  • Barbara Rush and Janet Leigh
    Image 1 of 41

    Barbara Rush and Janet Leigh sharing a private moment during the reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Peter Lawford and two young ladies
    Image 2 of 41

    Peter Lawford posing with Cowan's daughters, Linda and Bonnie. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Barbara Rush and Shirley MacLaine
    Image 3 of 41

    Barbara Rush and Shirley MacLaine holding hands and smiling. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Jack Lemmon signed wedding certificate
    Image 4 of 41

    Jack Lemmon signed Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan's wedding certificate as one of the witnesses. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Tony Curtis
    Image 5 of 41

    Tony Curtis wore a white suit jacket and black pants to the wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Doris Day and Tony Curtis
    Image 6 of 41

    Doris Day and Tony Curtis shared a laugh and a dance while celebrating at the reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Tony Curtis and Barbara Rush
    Image 7 of 41

    Tony Curtis and Barbara Rush shared a dance while at the wedding reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Dean Martin
    Image 8 of 41

    Dean Martin filling up while at the buffet during the reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Dean Martin performing
    Image 9 of 41

    Dean Martin performing for those in attendance at the wedding ceremony. (Claudia Cowan)

  • -Shirley MacLaine and Barbara Rush
    Image 10 of 41

    Shirley MacLaine and Barbara Rush filling up their plates. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Barbara Rush and Ronald Reagan
    Image 11 of 41

    Barbara Rush and Ronald Reagan filling up their plates at the buffet. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Barbara Rush greets her guests
    Image 12 of 41

    Barbara Rush speaking with her acting coach Estelle Harman and her husband, Sam Harmon. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Dean Martin and Janet Leigh
    Image 13 of 41

    Dean Martin and Janet Leigh perform for the crowd while celebrating at the reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Dean Martin and Milton Berle
    Image 14 of 41

    Dean Martin and Milton Berle addressing the crowd while at Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan's wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Dean Martin snapping a few photos
    Image 15 of 41

    Dean Martin snapping a few photos of guests at the wedding reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Tony Curtis laughing at Milton Berle's story.
    Image 16 of 41

    Tony Curtis and Milton Berle laughing together. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Tony Curtis on crutches.
    Image 17 of 41

    Tony Curtis attended Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan's wedding on crutches. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine
    Image 18 of 41

    Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra and Shirley MacLaine having a discussion at the wedding reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Tony Curtis and Milton Berle
    Image 19 of 41

    Tony Curtis and Milton Berle share a laugh, while Frank Sinatra stands behind them. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan driving away
    Image 20 of 41

    Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan driving away in a car together following their wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

  • portrait of Warren Cowan and Barbara Rush on their wedding day.
    Image 21 of 41

    A portrait of Warren Cowan and Barbara Rush on their wedding day. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Wedding invitation
    Image 22 of 41

    The invitation to Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan's wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Kirk Douglas and Warren Cowan
    Image 23 of 41

    Kirk Douglas and Warren Cowan holding an embrace, while Tony Curtis stands behind them. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis and Doris Day in a room with other guests at the wedding.
    Image 24 of 41

    Kirk Douglas, Tony Curtis and Doris Day conversing with other guests at the wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Tony Curtis and Gene Kelly
    Image 25 of 41

    Tony Curtis speaking with Gene Kelly and his first wife, Jeanne Coyne. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Milton Berle, Tony Curtis and Frank Sinatra
    Image 26 of 41

    Milton Berle, Tony Curtis and Frank Sinatra take a smoke break. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan posing
    Image 27 of 41

    Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan posing with Tony Curtis, Janet Leigh, producer Harold Mirisch and other guests while at their wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan speaking
    Image 28 of 41

    Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan speaking with French actor Louis Jordan while at their wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Warren Cowan, Barbara Rush, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood
    Image 29 of 41

    Warren Cowan, Barbara Rush, Robert Wagner and Natalie Wood pose for a photo during the wedding reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Jack Benny, Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan
    Image 30 of 41

    Jack Benny, Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan pose for a photo during the wedding reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Milton Berle and Tony Curtis
    Image 31 of 41

    Milton Berle and Tony Curtis enjoying themselves during the wedding reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Dean Martin laughing
    Image 32 of 41

    Dean Martin laughing with other wedding guests, including Jeanie Martin, producer Harold Mirisch, comic Mort Saul and restaurateur Mike Romanoff. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan
    Image 33 of 41

    Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan photographed with Jack Lemmon, Felicia Farr and other guests. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Warren Cowan with two of his wedding guests.
    Image 34 of 41

    Warren Cowan photographed with Patricia Kennedy Lawford and his mother-in-law. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Frank Sinatra and other guests
    Image 35 of 41

    Frank Sinatra chatting with Marty Melcher and Harold Mirisch while at the wedding reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Milton Berle
    Image 36 of 41

    Frank Sinatra, Tony Curtis and Milton Berle photographed at Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan's wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Shirley MacLaine, Warren Cowan, Dean Martin, Barbara Rush and Frank Sinatra
    Image 37 of 41

    Shirley MacLaine, Warren Cowan, Dean Martin, Barbara Rush and Frank Sinatra pose for a photo at the wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Frank Sinatra sharing a laugh
    Image 38 of 41

    Frank Sinatra sharing a laugh with other wedding guests while at the reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Rock Hudson and Harold Mirisch
    Image 39 of 41

    Rock Hudson and Harold Mirisch laughing together at the wedding reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Edward G. Robinson
    Image 40 of 41

    Edward G. Robinson posing with Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan at the reception. (Claudia Cowan)

  • Claudia Cowan
    Image 41 of 41

    Claudia Cowan looking at her parents' wedding album. (Claudia Cowan)

These weren't just celebrities. They were friends in their prime, most with their biggest roles still ahead. Young, beautiful and unstoppable, they filled the pages with an energy that still radiates today. These snapshots freeze a moment when Hollywood's brightest stars aligned to celebrate love.

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Many Hollywood legends were in attendance at Barbara Rush and Warren Cowen's wedding.

Many Hollywood legends were in attendance at Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan's wedding. (Claudia Cowan)

The album came to me after mom's death this past Easter at 97. Dad left us in 2008. But leafing through these yellowing pages, I'm struck by the vibrant lives captured within. Before I was even a possibility, my parents were surrounded by creative, talented friends eager to be a part of their special day.

I’m sharing these never-before-seen pictures because only by remembering those we’ve lost, loved and admired, do they stay with us in our hearts.

Claudia Cowan

Claudia Cowan looking at her parents' wedding album. (Claudia Cowan)

In these fading photographs, they're all forever young, forever brilliant, forever alive.

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A portrait of Barbara Rush and Warren Cowen on their wedding day.

Barbara Rush and Warren Cowan were married from 1959 to 1969. (Claudia Cowan)

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Claudia Cowan has served as FOX News Channel’s San Francisco-based senior correspondent for more than 20 years. She joined the network as a San Francisco correspondent in 1998.

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