How long were Jack Cassidy and Shirley Jones married?

Shirley Mae Jones an American actress and singer and Jack Cassidy, an American actor, singer and theatre director were married for 18 years.

Jones and Cassidy got married on August 5, 1956 and they divorced in 1974, after 18 years. They had three sons, Shaun, Patrick, and Ryan.

On December 11, 1976, two years after their divorce, Cassidy invited his ex-wife, Shirley Jones, to his home, an apartment in West Hollywood, California, for drinks. However, she refused his offer.

The following day, Cassidy lit a cigarette and fell asleep on his Naugahyde couch. Asleep and not conscious of himself, he dropped the cigarette which ignited the couch and sparked fire.

The flames spread throughout the apartment and building.

At 6:15 a.m., the blaze was discovered by Deputy Sheriff John DiMatteo, who evacuated the building, and entered Cassidy’s apartment.

A body was found near the front door of the apartment among the ashes, and was identified as Cassidy’s by dental records and a signet ring that he wore, bearing the Cassidy family crest.

His remains were cremated and scattered in the Pacific Ocean.