LeoGlossary: Gary Merrill (Actor)
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Born: August 2, 1915 – Died: March 5, 1990
Gary Merrill, the renowned actor known for his memorable roles in Hollywood, was born on August 2, 1915, in Hartford, Connecticut. His journey into the world of entertainment began in summer stock plays, setting the stage for a remarkable career. Along the way, he married Barbara Leeds, an actress, and briefly served in the army. However, it was in New York where he truly made his mark when he joined the cast of the popular play "Born Yesterday." In 1950, he earned a pivotal role as Bill Sampson in "All About Eve," where he crossed paths with the legendary Bette Davis. Their love story became the stuff of legend, leading to marriage and adoption of two children. Beyond the silver screen, Merrill's distinctive voice made him a sought-after figure for radio and television commercials. In 1988, he shared his fascinating life in the autobiography "Bette, Rita, And The Rest Of My Life." Gary Merrill's legacy continues to shine, even after his death at the age of 74.
Early Life and Career
Gary Merrill embarked on his acting career in summer stock plays, taking the first steps towards what would become a remarkable journey in the entertainment industry.
His breakthrough came when he joined the cast of the popular play "Born Yesterday" in New York. However, it was his role as Bill Sampson in the 1950 film "All About Eve" that catapulted him into stardom. The movie, featuring Hollywood legends like Bette Davis, left a lasting impact on his career.
Merrill shared a legendary love story with Bette Davis, leading to their marriage and the adoption of two children, Margot and Michael. Their union, though tumultuous at times, left an indelible mark on Hollywood history.
Aside from his acting prowess, Merrill's distinctive voice made him a sought-after figure for radio and television commercials. His talent extended beyond the silver screen.
Gary Merrill's contributions to the entertainment industry, especially in the 1950s, solidified his status as a prominent actor. Merrill's impact on Hollywood remains a testament to his talent and enduring legacy.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | The Littlest Hobo (TV Series) | Willie Brogan |
| 1979 | The Seekers (TV Mini Series) | Capt. Hull |
| 1977 | The World of Darkness (TV Movie) | Dr. Thomas Madsen |
| 1977 | Thieves | Street Man |
| 1976 | Cannon (TV Series) | Andrew McGill |
| 1974–1975 | Movin' On (TV Series) | Samson | Paul Lorimer |
| 1975 | The Zodiac Murders | Unknown |
| 1974 | Huckleberry Finn | Pap |
| 1974 | Kung Fu (TV Series) | Dan Hoyle |
| 1973 | The Wide World of Mystery (TV Series) | Gordon Craig |
| 1973 | Pueblo (TV Movie) | Adm. Thomas H. Moorer |
| 1972–1973 | Young Dr. Kildare (TV Series) | Dr. Leonard Gillespie | Dr. Gillespie |
| 1973 | Medical Center (TV Series) | Jason Norman |
| 1972 | The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour (TV Series) | Archie Bunker | various |
| 1971 | Earth II (TV Movie) | Walter Dietrich |
| 1970 | The Secret of the Sacred Forest | Mike Parks |
| 1970 | Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV Series) | Orlando 'Cord' Corday |
| 1970 | NET Playhouse (TV Series) | Barney |
| 1970 | Summer Is Forever (TV Movie) | Eachan |
| 1969 | Amarsi male | Ingegner Andrea Soriani |
| 1969 | Then Came Bronson (TV Series) | Inspector Otis |
| 1968 | Run, Psycho, Run | George Dennison |
| 1968 | The Power | Mark Corlane |
| 1967 | The Incident | Douglas McCann |
| 1967 | Clambake | Sam |
| 1967 | Hondo (TV Series) | Gen. Philip Sheridan |
| 1967 | The Last Challenge | Squint Calloway |
| 1966 | The Dangerous Days of Kiowa Jones (TV Movie) | Marshal Duncan |
| 1966 | The Time Tunnel (TV Series) | Sen. Leroy Clark |
| 1966 | Destination Inner Space | Dr. LaSatier |
| 1966 | Around the World Under the Sea | Dr. August Boren |
| 1966 | A Man Called Shenandoah (TV Series) | Sheriff Ben Sumner |
| 1966 | Cast a Giant Shadow | Pentagon Chief of Staff (scenes deleted) |
| 1966 | Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV Series) | Park |
| 1966 | Ride Beyond Vengeance | Dub Stokes |
| 1965 | Branded (TV Series) | Aaron Shields |
| 1965 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | John Perry |
| 1965 | The Woman Who Wouldn't Die | Raymond Garth |
| 1965 | Profiles in Courage (TV Series) | John Marshall |
| 1965 | For the People (TV Series) | Carl Whaley |
| 1965 | The Doctors and the Nurses (TV Series) | James Lloyd |
| 1964 | The Reporter (TV Series) | Lou Sheldon |
| 1964 | Suspense (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1964 | The Searching Eye (Short) | Narrator |
| 1963 | Hong Kong un addio | Unknown |
| 1963 | Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series) | Mark Jordan |
| 1963 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | Dr. James Hamilton | Major Roger Brothers |
| 1963 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV Series) | Harry Jarvis | John Pemberton |
| 1963 | Combat! (TV Series) | Capt. August |
| 1963 | Ben Casey (TV Series) | Miles Houghton |
| 1963 | Sam Benedict (TV Series) | Sgt. Bill Merriman |
| 1962 | A Girl Named Tamiko | Max Wilson |
| 1962 | Alcoa Premiere (TV Series) | Jim Hunter |
| 1962 | Bus Stop (TV Series) | Frank Everest |
| 1962 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Harry Sellers |
| 1958–1961 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | John Dwight | McMasters |
| 1961 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) | Sgt. Joseph Paradine |
| 1961 | The New Breed (TV Series) | Karl Lippert |
| 1961 | Mysterious Island | Gideon Spilitt |
| 1961 | The Pleasure of His Company | James Dougherty |
| 1957–1961 | Zane Grey Theatre (TV Series) | Ken Kenyon | Luke Cannon | Noah Rawlins ... |
| 1961 | Outlaws (TV Series) | Frank Denton |
| 1961 | Checkmate (TV Series) | Ernie Stone |
| 1960 | The Great Impostor | Pa Demara |
| 1957–1960 | Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV Series) | Cash Bentley | Joseph Pond | Carl Adams ... |
| 1959 | Rhapsody of Steel (Short) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1959 | New York Confidential (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1959 | Laramie (TV Series) | Ed Farrell |
| 1959 | The Wonderful Country | Maj. Stark Colton |
| 1959 | The Savage Eye | The Poet |
| 1959 | Alcoa Theatre (TV Series) | Dick Bowen |
| 1959 | Rawhide (TV Series) | Jed Mason |
| 1957–1959 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Louis | McBurnie | Walter Hubbard |
| 1958 | Rendezvous (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1958 | Pursuit (TV Series) | Det. Eddie Hackett |
| 1958 | Cimarron City (TV Series) | Joshua Newton |
| 1958 | Studio One (TV Series) | Paul Gormay |
| 1958 | Crash Landing | Capt. Steve Williams |
| 1958 | Jane Wyman Presents the Fireside Theatre (TV Series) | Dicksen |
| 1958 | Studio 57 (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957–1958 | The Loretta Young Show (TV Series) | Bill Masters | Lou Mason |
| 1958 | The Missouri Traveler | Doyle Magee |
| 1957 | Suspicion (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1957 | Wagon Train (TV Series) | Zeke Thomas |
| 1957 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | John Beasley | Nash |
| 1956–1957 | The Alcoa Hour (TV Series) | Johnny Davis | Walter Keyser |
| 1956 | Bermuda Affair | Bob Scoffield |
| 1956 | Navy Wife | Jack Blain |
| 1956 | The 20th Century-Fox Hour (TV Series) | David Trask | Alan Byrnes |
| 1955 | Star Stage (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1954–1955 | Justice (TV Series) | Jason Tyler |
| 1953–1954 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Dennis | Wakeman | Major Mead |
| 1954 | The Human Jungle | Police Capt. John Danforth |
| 1954 | The Black Dakotas | Brock Marsh posing as Zachary Paige |
| 1954 | Witness to Murder | Lawrence Mathews |
| 1954 | The Mask (TV Series) | Walter Guilfoyle |
| 1953 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | Felice Benuzzi |
| 1953 | A Blueprint for Murder | Fred Sargent |
| 1953 | Willys Theatre Presenting Ben Hecht's Tales of the City (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1953 | Danger (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Night Without Sleep | Richard Morton |
| 1952 | The Girl in White | Dr. Seth Pawling |
| 1952 | Phone Call from a Stranger | David L. Trask |
| 1951 | Decision Before Dawn | Col. Devlin |
| 1951 | Another Man's Poison | George Bates |
| 1951 | The Frogmen | Lt. Cmdr. Pete Vincent |
| 1951 | Rawhide | Narrator (voice, uncredited) |
| 1950 | All About Eve | Bill Simpson |
| 1950 | Where the Sidewalk Ends | Tommy Scalise |
| 1950 | Mother Didn't Tell Me | Dr. Peter Roberts |
| 1949 | Twelve O'Clock High | Col. Davenport |
| 1949 | Slattery's Hurricane | Cmdr. E.T. Kramer |
| 1944 | Winged Victory | Capt. McIntyre (as Cpl. Garry Merrill) |
| 1943 | Interrogation of Enemy Airmen (Short) | Trainee (uncredited) |
| 1943 | This Is the Army | Backstage MP on Right (uncredited) |