Gig Young is an Oscar and Golden Globe winner American actor. The peak of his career came in the 50s and 60s. At the time, he was one of the most recognizable and sought-after Hollywood actors. However, Young did not pass the copper pipe test. The actor suffered from alcoholism and drug addiction.
Biography: early years
Gig Young was born on November 4, 1913 in St. Cloud, in the US state of Minnesota. His real name and surname is Byron Ellsworth Barr. He took the pseudonym after filming the movie "The Merry Sisters", where he played Giga Young.
The future actor lived in Minnesota for only a few years. Then the family moved to New York. While still a schoolboy, Young became interested in theater. He graduated from acting courses and was soon invited to one of the theaters in Pasadena, in southern California. There, Young was noticed by representatives of the famous film studio Warner Brothers and offered a contract to play supporting roles. The actor agreed.
In the first films, he appeared in the frame for just a few seconds, so he was not even indicated in the credits. Young played mostly friends or brothers of the main characters. Despite this, he became recognizable. During that period, he starred with such famous actors as Gregory Peck and Joan Crawford.
In 1941, the actor volunteered for the United States Coast Guard, where he served as a medical professional until the very end of World War II. After his return, the studio broke the contract with him.
Young began to take part in part-time jobs at various film companies. During these years, the main type of roles played by him also developed: he played mainly good-natured alcoholics. This image was close to him, because even then Young began to get involved in strong drinks.
Among his first paintings:
- "Old acquaintance";
- "Unfaithful Husbands";
- "Tanks on the Way";
- "Only the brave";
- "Sentimental Song";
- "Young at heart."
Career peak
Success came to Young after his role in the drama Come Fill the Cup. The main role in it was played by James Cagney. By that time, he was already one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood and had an Oscar. Young played a secondary role in this picture. However, film academics noticed him and was nominated for an Oscar. It was a great success for Young back then.
In 1957, he starred in the comedy "Cabinet Set". Young played the role of Katharine Hepburn's selfish suitor. A year later, he played in another comedy - "The Teacher's Favorite". There he was accompanied by equally famous actors, including Clark Gable and Doris Day. Young again played an alcoholic in this film and was nominated for an Oscar. In real life, he became even more addicted to alcohol. In addition, Young began to use drugs.
In 1969, the actor finally won the coveted Oscar, as well as the Golden Globe. He received prestigious awards for his role as Rocky in the film They Shoot The Horses, Don't They ?, which critics and viewers received with a bang. The drama was directed by the legendary Sydney Pollack. In the center of the plot is a dance marathon during the Great Depression in the States. The painting was based on the novel of the same name by Horace McCoy. It is noteworthy that Pollack initially did not want to approve Young for a role in his film. He believed that he was not suitable for the role of Rocky, leaning towards the choice of another actor - Lionel Stander. However, later he nevertheless changed his mind.
After winning the Oscar, Young's career went downhill. He finally got drunk and because of this he was deprived of the main roles in which he was previously approved. So, he was suspended from participation in the film "Glittering Saddles" for the disruption of several filming days. Director Mel Brooks replaced Young with Gene Wilder.
His last film work was the role in the film "The Game of Death". He starred in it in 1973. However, the film was released only six years later. The main role in it was played by Bruce Lee, for whom this film was also the last.
Young's filmography includes over a hundred works. For his contribution to the development of the American film industry, he was awarded a star at number 6821 on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Personal life
Gig Young has married five times. He first tied the knot before the war, in 1940. Sheila Stapler became his wife. The actor broke up with her shortly after returning from the war. The second time he went down the aisle in 1950. Then he married Sophie Rosenstein. However, she soon died of cancer and Young became a widower. Four years after her death, the actor remarried. This time on the actress Elizabeth Montgomery. The marriage lasted seven years. The reason for the separation was Young's hobby for alcohol.
The fourth wife of the actor was Elaine Williams. She gave birth to his only child - daughter Jennifer. Three years later, the couple broke up with a scandal. Young questioned his paternity and did not want to pay child support. The litigation lasted five years. Justice was on Elaine's side.
For the fifth time, Young married Kim Schmidt, a 21-year-old actress from Germany. Together with her, he starred in his last film "The Game of Death". They got married in September 1978. On October 19, they were found murdered in Young's Manhattan apartment. According to the official version, the actor first shot his young wife, and then fired a bullet in the temple and himself. There were many inconsistencies in the case. So, the police could not name the motives for the suicide. Despite this, the case was quickly closed. Young's friends claimed that this was due to his addiction to alcohol and drugs.
