Editing Kathryn Grayson (section)

==Early life==
Zelma Kathryn Elisabeth Hedrick was born on February 9, 1922, in [[Winston-Salem, North Carolina]], one of four children of Charles Hedrick, a building contractor-realtor, and Lillian Hedrick ([[née]] Grayson).{{sfn|Parish|Pitts|2003|p=361}}

The Hedrick family later moved to [[Kirkwood, Missouri]], outside [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]]. At the age of 12, Grayson was discovered singing on the empty stage of the [[The Muny|St. Louis Municipal Opera House]] by a janitor, who introduced her to Frances Marshall of the [[Chicago Civic Opera]], from whom Grayson received voice lessons. Grayson's sister [[Frances Raeburn]] (born Mildred Hedrick) was also an actress and singer, appearing along with her in the film ''[[Seven Sweethearts]]''.<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|title=Frances Raeburn|date=April 29, 1945|page=C1|id={{ProQuest|165587949}}}}</ref> Grayson had two brothers, Clarence "Bud" E. Hedrick,<ref>{{cite news|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|title=Kathryn Grayson Denies Actor and her Brother Had a Fight|date=March 24, 1946|page=2|id={{ProQuest|165641951}}}}</ref> and Harold. The family moved to California when she was 15 years old.