Where Is Kathy Prinze Today? All About Late Actor and Stand-Up Comedian Freddie Prinze’s wife

Kathy Prinze is recognized as the wife of the late American stand-up comedian Freddie Prinze (aka Frederick James Prinze Sr.). Her husband was best known for his character Chico Rodriguez in the NBC-TV Sitcom Chico and the Man. Further, her son Freddie Prinze Jr. is also the known face of Hollywood.

Talking about her marriage with Freddie Sr., the couple was married for almost two years. Kathy was together with her hubby till his death but the surprising thing was the duo was on the verge to separate legally. The week before the Chico and the Man actor died, Kathy had filed for a divorce. Well, what had happened between them? Was filing for divorce cause the death of Freddie Prinze Sr.?

Here in the below piece of writing, read everything about Kathy Prinze, her marriage with her late husband, and her hubby’s cause of death. We will also add details on her early life, career, her son, and many more.

How Old Is Kathy Prinze? Her Early Life Details

As of 2023, she is 73 years of age. She was born Katherine Elaine Cochran (Barber) on January 28, 1950, in Summersville, West Virginia, USA.

Similarly, she was raised by her father James Edward Barber, and her mother Kitty (Patty) Elizabeth Cochran in her hometown. Having parents by her side, Kathy must have had a decent childhood. But the peace and sanity didn’t last long in her life. At the very young age of 16, she got married and after that, she subsequently faced multiple failed marriages.

Moving on to her nationality, the celebrity wife holds American nationality.

Kathy’s Family Background

Her father James was a West Virginia native. He was born to his father of James Dalton Barber and his mom Alma L. Sirk. Likewise, Kathy’s grandfather James was the son of John Henry Barber and Sarah F. Huffman. Her grandmother Alma was born to her parents Bernard Stanley Sirk and Delilah C. Cunningham.

Similarly, from her mom’s side, her grandfather was Hanson Porter M. Cochran and her grandmom was Permilia Jane “Millie” Arthur.

What Is Kathy Prinze’s Ethnicity?

At different times in the different interviews, Kathy’s famous son Freddie Jr. has talked about his mother’s roots. In the interview with Los Angeles Times, her son stated,

My mom is English, Irish and Native American. My grandma and grandpa, who raised me for the first few years, were straight-up English and Irish

However, several years after, with Pop Entertainment, he talked about his mom’s Italian connection as well. In an interview, Freddie Junior told,

I speak better Italian than any New Yorker in this town. They butcher the language so much. It makes my mom sick. My mom speaks fluent Italian and is very proud of her roots.

In accordance with her son’s statement regarding her roots, Kathy belongs to a mixed ethnical background.

Kathy Prinze’s Career: What Did She Do For A Living? 

Not many details about her professional life are known in the media besides her designation. The Virginia native worked as a real estate agent her whole youthful life. Before she is reported to be a cocktail waitress as well.

On the other hand, her late spouse Freddie Prinze Sr., had a very short-lived entertainment career. He was a famous actor and a stand-up comedian. After working at several comedy clubs, Freddie made his TV debut in the year 1973 on Jack Paar’s talk show of Jack Paar.

One year after, in 1974, he came up with his breakthrough role Chico Rodriguez in the NBC-TV sitcom Chico and the Man which helped him to receive a wide range of recognition as an actor. But sadly his rising career ended with a big full stop following his death in 1977 just four years after his entry into the American Entertainment Industry.

She Has Appeared In TV Shows As Well

With the status of celeb mom and wife, Kathy has made her TV appearance in a couple of shows. First, she was seen in one episode of the TV series, E! True Hollywood Story in 1998.

Later in 2003, Prinze again appeared in the TV movie 101 Most Shocking Moments in Entertainment.

Kathy Prinze Was The Wife of Freddie Prinze Sr; How’s Their Marital Life?

Kathy Prinze walked down the aisle with her husband Freddie Prinze on October 13, 1975. Initially, they had a delightful married life and within a year Kathy gave birth to their child which for sure quadrupled their happiness as a couple.

But sadly that happiness didn’t last following Prinze’s spouse Freddie’s extra-marital affairs. While still in marriage to Kathy, her hubby dated an actress Lonette Mckee and this became the reason why Kathy filed for a divorce against the father of her child.

Nonetheless, their divorce was never finalized as her spouse died just some weeks after she put a petition for divorce in court. S, how did her husband die?

What Was The Cause Of Kathy’s Husband, Freddie’s Death?

Kathy’s husband died by suicide on January 29, 1977, in Los Angeles, California just at the age of 22. It is said that her spouse Freddie Prinze had a depression and it deepened when Kathy filed for a divorce from him.

It is reported that following the husband and wife’s estranged relationship, Freddie died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Kathy Prize Was Previously Married Two Times; Who Were Her Ex-Husbands?

Prior to Freddie, Kathy was already married two times. Just at the age of 16, she tied the knot with her first husband Robert Ray Kirkpatrick on 26 March 1966 and after some time the couple separated.

For the second time, she shared vows with her Russell Gail Rasmus on 7 November 1972. After enjoying their marriage for almost three years, the couple decided to call it quits and divorced on 9 April 1975. Six months later, Kathy exchanged vows to a stand-up comedian Freddie.

Is Kathy Prinze Now Married To George Lopez?

Many speculations have been made about Kathy and the actor George Lopez’s marriage after they were captured together at the ceremony unveiling Freddie Prinze Jr’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. But the truth is far beyond the people’s assumption.

Kathy and George are not a married couple instead Prinze is still living as her late husband Freddie’s widow. But yes, the two are somewhere connected through Freddie. George claims himself as a great fan of Prinze’s late spouse Freddie Prinze Sr.

Kathy Prinze Son With Her Late Hubby Freddie Prinze

From her marriage with the late comedian, Kathy became the mother of her son Freddie Prinze Jr. He was born on March 8, 1976, which makes him 47 years old in 2023.

Like her late hubby, her son Freddie Jr. is also a known face in Hollywood. Freddie is an American actor, television and film producer, and screenwriter as well. As of today, Prinze’s baby boy has won several awards for his outstanding roles in projects like She’s All That, Dragon Age: Inquisition, Summer Catch, and many others.

Kathy Is A Grandmother

From her son Freddie Jr.’s marriage with actress Sarah Michelle Gellar, she has two grandchildren Charlotte Grace Prinze and Rocky James Prinze.

Kathy’s granddaughter Charlotte was born on 19 September 2009 and is currently 13 years old. Further, her grandson Rocky came into this world after three years in 2012 the same day his big sister was born, 19th September. As of today, he is 10 years old.

Where Is Kathy Prinze Today?

In the last few years, Kathy has hardly made a media appearance. Moreover, her famous son also doesn’t have talked about her lately. So, her whereabouts are really difficult to trace. However, in her 70s, the star mom is probably enjoying her old age alongside her family.

Kathy Prinze’s Net Worth

After inheriting her late husband’s property, Kathy is reported to have an estimated net worth of $1.8 million as of today. Meanwhile, her famous son Freddie Prinze Jr. also is a millionaire with a fortune of $30 million.