Actor Montgomery Clift, 45, three times nominated for Academy Awards, died early Saturday of a heart attack in his plush East Side townhouse. But when his nephew dives into the family archives, a much more complicated picture emerges. The duo eventually got to know each other better, and according to Taylor, they liked each other. In order to get him the part, she had to offer up some kind of insurance, and this time, she put her own salary on the line. Have I said something wrong? He died. Peace. The script wasnt necessarily that special, but it would give him a chance to re-unite with Elizabeth Taylor, and that, it seemed, was enough to pull him out of semi-retirement. The two met under the big tent where they performed together. Catherine of Aragon is now infamous as King Henry VIIIs rejected queenbut few people know her even darker history. Sometimes it's hard to keep up with the latest celebrity news, but don't worry we have you covered. Guided by the key biographies of Clift, they reliably parrot a narrative which paints the actor as a startlingly attractive and prodigiously gifted man who, according to one notably overheated tabloid TV show became a drug-addicted alcoholic living in a self-imposed hell because he had a secret he couldnt live with. Born in 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, Clift was raised like an aristocrat, with a private tutor and frequent trips to Europe. Realizing that Clift was in mortal danger, McCarthy raced to the scene of the accident. He was such a mess on the set of Freud (1962) that Universal sued him. To help build their case, the film-makers had rare access to the actors archives. Hailed as one of Hollywood's first true Method actors, Edward Montgomery Clift was born October 17, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska. This year the young man . Years before, Clift had battled dysentery, which introduced him to the sinister side effects of pain management. All rights reserved. made. In the bathroom, James found Clift in his bathtub, undressed and obviously deceased. So finely Montgomery Clifts sexuality finally emerged with the help of two biographers, and before long, the public turned him into a gay icon. And so he remains frozen in the popular imagination, circa From Here to Eternitythose high cheekbones, that set jaw, the firm stare: a magnificent, proud, tragically broken thing to behold. Part of honoring someone is being open to that person not being just one, reductive thing., Making Montgomery Clift is showing at NewFest with a release date yet to be announced, Tab Hunter: how Hollywood's boy next door became a gay icon, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. But the troubled star. 3.80. 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Welcome to Who Is Montgomery Clift?, a page dedicated to showcasing actors & movie makers of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Where were these so-called women? Well, at the very heart of it all, Montgomery Clift hid a dangerous secretone that wouldnt emerge untilyears later. Some of the greatest celebrities of the day came out to mourn Clift at his funeral, including Lauren Bacall and Frank Sinatra. I am not one of Americas Angry Young Men. He pleaded with her to make changes to her book to correct the mischaracterizations. The film went on to win six Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Screenplay, and is now hailed as a (flawed) classic. He insisted on maintaining his residence in New York, spending as little time in Hollywood as possible. In 1925 Theodore Dreiser [told such a tale in his] long, oppressively powerful novel, An American Tragedy, which in turn made only a fair movie in 1931. It has a good rating on IMDb: 6.2 stars out of 10. While his brother claimed that Clift was bisexual, writer Truman Capotes unpublished work alludes to Clifts gayness quite explicitly. His smashed face was rebuilt, he reconciled with his estranged father, but he continued bedeviled by dependency on drugs and his unrelenting guilt over his homosexuality.With his Hollywood career in an irreversible slide despite giving an occasional riveting performance, such as in Stanley Kramer's Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), Monty returned to New York and tried to slowly develop a somewhat more sensible lifestyle in his brownstone row house on East 61st Street in Manhattan. Clift earned best-actor Oscar nominations for 1951s A Place in the Sun and 1953s From Here to Eternity; both times he lost to older actors (Humphrey Bogart and William Holden, respectively), and established his reputation, alongside Marlon Brando and James Dean, as a young outsider whose talent intimidated Hollywood. The subject matter, which involved him assisting in the cover-up of a dead mans apparent homosexuality, must have sparked mixed emotions. When the duo finally met in Stevens' office, it was pretty magical for Taylor. Clift detested Waynes antiquated male constraints. He still drank, but not as heavily. But the producer, Sam Spiegel, decided to go forward, no matter the risk. Courtesy Everett Collection Elizabeth was more visible than the publicity-shy Monty. He told everyone that hed marry when he met the right girl, but that in the meantime, he was simply playing the field. Once, when questioned about his pastimes, he quipped, Yes, women. But where were they? You couldn't help but come. He was, in his words, nothing more than an ordinary, second-class wolf., These anecdotes, and dozens like them, would establish Clift, along with Brando, as the embodiment of 50s youth culture, rebelling against conformity and all that postwar Americans were supposed to embrace. But when he climbed into the room, he discovered something absolutely gut-wrenching. After the success of 1953sFrom Here to Eternity, Montgomery Clift suddenly stopped making films. Clift and Hollywood icon Elizabeth Taylor first became acquainted when they played counterparts on George Stevens's "A Place in the Sun." They went to London to see Laurence Olivier together, ate together, sat in front of the fire together, Clift said. Something was seriously wrong. Whether he liked it or not, they were out for a storyAnd the one they wanted above all? Benign to most but, in hindsight, highly suggestive. The 42 Best Romantic Comedies of All Time, The 25 Best Shows on Netflix to Watch Right Now, Titled Refueling at Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Clifts handwriting. When he wasnt reading or preparing for his next role, he took pleasure in visiting the local night court. But the drama didn't end there. Carlo Fiore and Marlon Brando were in . He was born in Omaha, Nebraska on 1920-10-17. Peter Stackpole The LIFE Picture Collection/Shutterstock. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. The true story of Montgomery Clift, as told by his youngest nephew Making Montgomery Clift explodes the myths surrounding the Hollywood star and queer icon. About a month afterThe Misfitswrapped, Gable suffered a heart attack and passed. Just look at the fan magazine titles: Making Love the Clift Way, Two Loves Has Monty, Montgomery Clifts Tragic Love Story, Is It True What They Say About Monty? Who Is Monty Kidding? Hes Travelin Light, The Lurid Love Life of Montgomery Clift, and, perhaps most flagrantly, Monty Clift: Woman Hater or Free Soul?. Of course, Clifts words had always been futile in the face of Hollywood. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. (The Clash famously referenced that awful scene, which changed the course of Clifts career and set him on a winding path of booze-and-painkiller-fueled decay, in the song The Right Profile from London Calling: I see a car smashed at night. He was sick of being a symbol, a symptom, a testament to something. I do not count myself as a member of the ripped-sweatshirt fraternity.. Clifts sexuality, like those other 50s idols Rock Hudson and Tab Hunter, was carefully concealed from the public. In Truman Capotes unpublished novel Answered Prayers, for example, the author imagines a dinner party between Clift, Dorothy Parker, and flamboyant stage actress Tallulah Bankhead: . Firstly, he didnt even like Hollywood, preferring to stay in New York as much as he could. But even as Clift consistently took the road less traveled, he still had some biting things to say about the media, especially its desire to pin down his image. While she sounds apologetic, the changes were never made. He wasnt solely an actor, she said. Sal Mineo and Montgomery Clift had a relationship Montgomery Clift is rumored to have hooked up with Paul Newman Henry Willson and Montgomery Clift had a relationship Jack Larson and Montgomery Clift had a relationship William LeMassena and Montgomery Clift had a relationship Montgomery Clift and Libby Holman had a relationship Maurice Leonard and Montgomery Clift had a relationship Arnold Saint Subber and Montgomery Clift had a relationship Montgomery Clift had an encounter with Marlon Brando shared a link: https://www.allmovie.com/artist/montgomery-clift-p13682, I never used to like him until I saw 'The Heiress' he really was gorgeous, it's such a shame his life was unhappy. You see, the entire healing process put Clift through the paces. It was also a dark, melancholy film: as a review in Variety pointed out, the complex mass of introspective conflicts, symbolic parallels, and motivational contradictions was so nuanced as to seriously confound general audiences, who were likely unable to cope with the philosophical undercurrents of the Arthur Miller script. A documented conversation between two stars, Tallulah Bankhead and Dorothy Parker, during a dinner party also showed that there was knowledge among stars that Clift was gay. The Searchturned out to be a huge hit for Clift. Absolutely stunning. While driving, he fell asleep at the wheel and the consequences were utterly gruesome. But the press will always be the press, and no amount of Montgomery Clifts ire could change that. There were even speculations that he was warned about being gay. In The Young Lions (1958), released just two years after the accident, the pain and resentment seem almost visible. (He never won an Academy Award, although most movie aficionados feel he deserved at least one, for his unforgettable turn as the tortured Robert E. Lee Prewitt in From Here to Eternity.). Next came "The Nutty Professor" as Lewis' student, Stella Purdy, who he is infatuated with. Throughout filming, members of the crew came up with code words to alert everyone about the lead actors level of intoxication. Sumner Redstone in Love: The Cringey Sexcapades of a Horny Billionaire, The elderly media titan flexed his MTV ownership, rang his grandson at 3 a.m. for hookups with new women, and rewarded companions with stock options and TV shows. Clift cared nothing for appearances: the Los Angeles Times called him the Rumpled Movie Idol; he infamously owned only one suit. He spent a great deal of time and money on psychiatry.In 1956, during filming of Raintree County (1957), he ran his Chevrolet into a tree after leaving a party at Elizabeth Taylor's; it was she who saved him from choking by pulling out two teeth lodged in his throat. Beautiful man. We bring you all the headlines and gossip in one place! An inside look at the actors secretive love life. .. What does he inspire anyone to do drink, die young? Ad Choices. I wanted to figure out why there was such a difference., A deep trove of never-before-revealed evidence makes that disparity bracingly clear. In remembering Clift, McCarthy said, his face was torn awaya bloody pulp. Oddly enough, when he died, the homocons on Gay Patriot praised him on . His . The old Hollywood system was breaking apart and he was a major part of that., The first role Clift took, opposite John Wayne in Red River in 1948, offered a stark contrast in masculine presentations. In a new documentary, myths and assumptions about the Oscar-nominated heartthrob who struggled with his sexuality are replaced with the little-known truth. Allegedly, Rock Hudson was there to pull Clift from the wreckage and it was Taylor who held the stricken actor in her arms. Above all, Clift was perpetually curious. Of course, when it came to his appearance, this gorgeous star really didnt give a hoot. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. Please fill in your e-mail so we can share with you our top stories! Clift, of course, knew better. In fact, Hepburn was so offended by Mankiewicz that she did something outrageous. Upon closer inspection, Clifts career reveals notable clues as to who he genuinely was and the private struggles he faced. Close friends, such as actor Kevin McCarthy and his wife, tried to get Clift to slow down and dry out, but their pleas . She would wield considerable influence over the early part of his film career, advising him in decisions to decline lead roles in Sunset Blvd. In 1929, the Wall Street Crash hit Clifts father like a ton of bricks, and his mothers dreams disappeared in an instant. Clift's childhood was unconventional. . Clift's last 10 years prior to his death from his 1956 car accident were called the "longest suicide in history" by famed acting teacher Robert Lewis. Clifts teacher, Robert Lewis, called his gradual decline the longest suicide in Hollywood history. Although he had problems before filmingRaintree County, Clifts drinking was more pronounced than ever. It is a feature-length film with a runtime of 1h 3min. Author Christopher Isherwood tracked Clifts decline in his journals, and by August 1955, he was drinking himself out of a career; on the set of Raintree, the crew had designated words to communicate how drunk Clift was: bad was Georgia, very bad was Florida, and worst of all was Zanzibar. But for Clift, there was just no escape, and it was only going to get worse. And yet, the mystery persists. The Big Lift (1950) Approved | 120 min | Drama, War 6.4 Rate Show details However, even with all the negative hubbub surrounding this shoot, it was nothing compared to the darkness of one of Clifts next projects. Dazzling Facts About Elizabeth Taylor, The Queen Of Hollywood, Stabbed In The Back: These Real-Life Betrayals Are Straight Up Brutal, The Truth Always Comes Out: Dark Family Secrets Exposed, Plot Twist: These Surprise Endings Made Our Jaws Hit The Floor, These Ultra-Spoiled Brats Made Our Eyes Roll Into Our Heads. Making Montgomery Clift, which was co-directed by Clift's nephew Robert Clift (and Robert's wife Hillary. In Montgomery Clift: A Biography, author Patricia Bosworth describes Monty's father Bill as passive, good-natured, and very dependent on his charismatic wife, Sunny. Little did he know, he was always destined for something more. INDISCRETION OF AN AMERICAN WIFE 1953 DVD PUBLIC DOMAIN FILM MONTGOMERY CLIFT. When the press talked about Clift, they talked about the skill and the beauty, but they also talked about what an offbeat, weird guy he was. She once lovingly described how she was in awe of the star actor's perfect facial features. If Paramount wanted him, theyd have to give him what he wanteda power differential that would go on to structure the star-studio relationship for the next 40 years. Some believe that Clifts romantic leanings were much less of a secret than originally thought. His leading lady, Olivia de Havilland, disappointed him in every wayand his criticisms were downright brutal. . Ex-lover Larson said in the film that Clift actually preferred his work after the accident to his performances before. Eyebrows were raised when the actor shared in an article he authored that he liked it "lonely. But before the film could be released, Clift passed away, wholly without fanfare, at the age of 45, succumbing to years of drug and alcohol abuse. In this exclusive excerpt from her forthcoming book, Anne. Soon, the washed-up actor was completely out of work. Itd be his only film with Brando, even though the two barely shared the screen. The truth didnt come out until the 70s. We believe that every person's story is important as it provides our community with an opportunity to feel a sense of belonging, share their hopes and dreams. He was one of Hollywoods most desirable leading men, but mystery shrouded his entire private life. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. In Clifts eyes, de Havilland imparted nothing of herself into the role. A successful man in the business world, Bill nevertheless deferred to this strong-willed, opinionated woman at home. He summoned a doctor, but it was already too late. However, his worry began to mount when the actor didnt respond to his insistent knocking. Edward Montgomery Clift (; October 17, 1920 July 23, 1966) was an American actor. His injuries included a broken nose and jaw, a fractured sinus, and deep cuts across his face that called for extensive plastic surgery. Monroe and Taylor are shadowed by Montgomery. [view couple] # 8 Carlo Fiore 12 28. Heres A Mystery: Why Did Arthur Conan Doyles Son Dress Up Like a Knight? Quite fittingly, he once said, The closer we come to the negative, todeath, the more we blossom. Even after his passing, his forever friend, Elizabeth Taylor, never forgot him. He became so known for his tousled appearance that theLos Angeles Times dubbed him the Rumpled Movie Idol. With his ancient, ramshackle car, and a circle of friends outsidethe realm of Hollywood, he certainly didnt fit the mold. Even his diet was rather spartan: orange juice, steak, and eggs. . Elizabeth Taylor stuck by her friends, and Montgomery Clift undoubtedly claimed a special spot in her heart. You`ve being alwasy an inspiration for me. For somewhat mysterious reasons, Robert Clifts father Brooks taped endless conversations with his famous brother, as well as with their mother and other figures relevant to the story. While working in New York in the early 1940s, he met wealthy former Broadway star Libby Holman. Of course, by this time, Clifts drinking problems werent much of a secret, making him a liability to the studio. July 24, 1966 12 AM PT. When he came to visit storied fan-magazine author Elsa Maxwell at her home, she had her maid darn the elbow in his jacket. Of course, Clift didnt walk away unscathed either. About A four-time Oscar nominee who died at 45, Montgomery Clift was a bright young talent, a tabloid fixture, and a posthumous gay icon. Montgomery Clift may have been one of the most self-aware actors of his day, and he certainly knew the name of the game. He started out in films in the late 1940's and immediately made a name for himself with his good looks and emotionally raw performances. [6] His mother was Ethel Fogg "Sunny" Clift ( ne Anderson; 1888-1988). Whatever the case may be, Montgomery Clifts life was unbelievably impressive and distressing. Montgomery Clift and Marlon Brando were in a . Over the next 10 years, he earned prominent roles in plays by Tennessee Williams and Thornton Wilder, opposite stars like Fredrick March and Tallulah Bankhead. Clift was so protective of Holman that when offered the plum role of the male lead in Sunset Boulevard, he turned it downreportedly to avoid any suggestion that Libby Holman was his own delusional Norma Desmond, using a handsome young man to pursue her lost stardom. He also detested the man. The Life and Sad Ending of Montgomery Clift The Life and Sad Ending 182K subscribers Subscribe 2.2K Share 106K views 2 years ago Mini bio of the life of actor Montgomery Clift who is. He was lonely, yet with the help of his refusal to live in Los Angeles or participate in caf society, he was able to keep his private life private. His other side was mostly hidden and only became widely known after he passed on, thanks to his friend and colleague Elizabeth Taylor. Free shipping for many products! But even the troubled blonde bombshell recognized that her co-star was in dire straits. He looked about ten years older than the Montgomery Clift audiences remembered and adored. Edward Montgomery Clift (nicknamed 'Monty' his entire life) was born on October 17, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta (1920-2014) and eighteen months after his brother Brooks Clift. Another confidant said his personal life didnt bother him. He could watch the real grit of humanity play out before himthe court a stage for some of the most sensational high-profile cases. One time when he was delivering his line on the set of "The Search," he mistakenly called a boy 'dear' and insisted that the director did a reshoot. The film-makers interviewed Bosworth extensively for the movie, but they contrast her words with old taped conversations she had with the actors brother. Following The Misfits, Clifts disintegration continued. Edward Montgomery Clift (nicknamed 'Monty' his entire life) was born on October 17, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta (1920-2014) and eighteen months after his brother Brooks Clift. I tried to get my ex-wife served with divorce papers. said: Oh. However, this was no quick fix. With alarm bells screaming in his head, James raced outside to fetch a ladder, climbing up toward Clifts bedroom window. While he never excelled at school, his extraordinary abilities as an actor. Thats why his work doesnt feel dated, Demmon said. In fact, his doctors considered it amazing that the actor had even pulled through. He was only 15 years old, but this wasnt just a fun pastimeit was serious business. Contact sheets from LIFE photographer Peter Stackpole's shoot on a Paramount lot with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift in 1950. His apartment, which he rented for 10 dollars a month, was described by friends as beat up and by him as terrific. He survived on two meals a day, mostly combinations of steak, eggs, and orange juice, and he eschewed nightclubs, instead spending his spare time reading Chekov, classic works of history and economics, and Aristotle, whom he praised for his belief in happiness, or the gentle art of the soul. When he wasnt reading or exhausting himself in preparation for a part, he liked to go to the local night court and attend high-profile court cases just to watch the humanity on display. However, Clift's sexuality was not much of a secret within the movie industry. But this wasnt the actors first time at the rodeo.