International News Photo
April 13, 1938
Comedian Stan Laurel shown with his ten-year-old daughter, Lois, child by his first wife, Mrs. Lois Laurel. The first Mrs. Laurel is asking the court to compel the comedian to pay $1,000 per month for support of their daughter. Stan, who appeared in court with the third Mrs. Laurel, professionally known as Illeana, claimed he was “insolvent.” Said the first Mrs. Laurel: “He hasn’t paid anything for five years.”
Associated Press Photo
April 25, 1937
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIF: L-R Stan Laurel, Sergei Temoff, holding crown over groom’s head, Mrs. Stan Laurel, Serge Malavsky, holding crown over bride’s head, Father Leonid Znamensky, circling the altar during the wedding ceremonies. Even a third marriage—to the same wife—failed to go off perfectly today for Stan Laurel. First, the screen comedian’s Russian bride, Countess Illeana, was late, due to an appointment with the hairdresser. Then the priest was detained. And finally the marriage rings failed to arrive—until after an embarrassing wait. Father Leonid Znamensky of the Russian orthodox church, of which the bride is a member, performed the ceremony, clad in ceremonial vestments. The ancient Russian rituals were performed, the Laurel’s drinking from a wing goblet, going through a double ring ceremony, and marching around an improvised altar while attendants held crowns over their heads.
Marriage License | Stan Laurel and Vera Ivanova Shuvalova
April 25, 1937
On April 25, 1938, Stan Laurel married Vera Ivanova Shuvalova, a Russian singer. They had already married on January 1, 1938 in a civil ceremony in Yuma, Arizona, but Vera wanted a traditional ceremony, so they were re-married in her Russian Orthodox faith with Father Leonid Znamensky presiding.