Born: November 4, 1913 – Died: October 19, 1978
Gig Young, the renowned actor known for his exceptional talent, was born as Byron Barr on November 4, 1913, in St. Cloud, Minnesota. Raised in Washington, DC, he discovered his passion for theatre while gracing the stage in high school plays. With parents John and Emma Barr, Gig Young's upbringing was filled with a creative spark. His journey in the entertainment industry took an interesting turn when he received a scholarship to the prestigious Pasadena Community Playhouse in Southern California. There, he honed his skills and eventually caught the eye of Warner Brothers, kickstarting his remarkable career. Keep reading to uncover the fascinating story of this actor who left an indelible mark in the world of cinema.
Early Life and Career
Gig Young's childhood was marked by a growing fascination with the world of theater. He nurtured his passion for acting during his high school years, setting the stage for his future success.
Young's journey into the world of professional acting began when he secured a scholarship to the renowned Pasadena Community Playhouse in Southern California. This opportunity marked a turning point in his life, leading to his discovery by Warner Brothers talent scouts. Initially, he performed under his birth name, Byron Barr, taking on bit parts and extra roles.
However, it was in 1942 that Gig Young truly found his footing in Hollywood. He adopted the name "Gig Young" after portraying a character with that name in a film. His intermittent roles and financial struggles didn't deter him. Young's determination and talent paid off as he emerged as a reliable light leading man, often playing second fiddle to established box office stars.
His breakthrough came when he received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for a dramatic role, marking a significant milestone in his career. Seven years later, he earned another Supporting Actor nomination for his memorable comedic performance.
In 1969, Gig Young's portrayal of a dance-marathon emcee in a particular film earned him the coveted Supporting Actor Oscar. This achievement solidified his status as a Hollywood icon.
Outside of his professional life, Young experienced a series of marriages, including one to an actress whose name remains undisclosed. Tragically, in 1978, just three weeks after marrying German actress Kim Schmidt, a shocking and heartbreaking incident unfolded. Gig Young allegedly shot his bride to death in their New York City apartment before taking his own life. The precise motivation behind this devastating murder-suicide remains shrouded in mystery.
Despite the tragic end to his personal life, Gig Young's impact on Hollywood and the entertainment industry endures. His talent and contributions to cinema, coupled with his Oscar wins, have left an indelible mark on the world of film.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Game of Death | Jim Marshall |
| 1976–1977 | Gibbsville (TV Series) | Ray Whitehead |
| 1977 | Spectre (TV Movie) | Dr. Ham Hamilton |
| 1976 | Sherlock Holmes in New York (TV Movie) | Mortimer McGrew |
| 1976 | McCloud (TV Series) | Jack Hefferman |
| 1975 | The Hindenburg | Edward Douglas |
| 1975 | The Killer Elite | Lawrence Weyburn |
| 1975 | The Turning Point of Jim Malloy (TV Movie) | Ray Whitehead |
| 1974 | The Lives of Benjamin Franklin (TV Mini Series) | French Foreign Minister |
| 1974 | The Great Ice Rip-Off (TV Movie) | Harkey Rollins |
| 1974 | A Black Ribbon for Deborah | Herman Ofenbauer |
| 1974 | Bring Me the Head of Alfredo Garcia | Quill |
| 1971 | The Neon Ceiling (TV Movie) | Jones |
| 1970 | Lovers and Other Strangers | Hal |
| 1969 | They Shoot Horses, Don't They? | Rocky |
| 1968 | Companions in Nightmare (TV Movie) | Eric Nicholson |
| 1967 | The Shuttered Room | Mike Kelton |
| 1965 | Invisible Diplomats (Short) | Brad (uncredited) |
| 1964–1965 | The Rogues (TV Series) | Tony Fleming |
| 1965 | Strange Bedfellows | Richard Bramwell |
| 1963 | Kraft Suspense Theatre (TV Series) | Hugo Myrich |
| 1963 | A Ticklish Affair | Key Weedon |
| 1963 | For Love or Money | Sonny Smith |
| 1962 | Five Miles to Midnight | David Barnes |
| 1962 | The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV Series) | Duke Marsden |
| 1962 | Kid Galahad | Willy Grogan |
| 1962 | That Touch of Mink | Roger |
| 1961 | Theatre '62 (TV Series) | Steven |
| 1961 | The Spiral Staircase (TV Movie) | Stephen Warren |
| 1960 | Shirley Temple's Storybook (TV Series) | Miles Hendon |
| 1960 | Ninotchka (TV Movie) | Leon Dolga |
| 1959 | The Story on Page One | Larry Ellis |
| 1959 | The Philadelphia Story (TV Movie) | C.K. Dexter Haven |
| 1959 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) | Martin Sloan |
| 1959 | Ask Any Girl | Evan Doughton |
| 1958 | Goodyear Theatre (TV Series) | Herman Worth |
| 1958 | The Tunnel of Love | Dick Pepper |
| 1958 | Teacher's Pet | Dr. Hugo Pine |
| 1958 | Studio One (TV Series) | Philip Adams | Alan Fredericks |
| 1957 | Climax! (TV Series) | Edgar Holt |
| 1957 | Desk Set | Mike Cutler |
| 1956 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Dave Corman |
| 1955 | The Desperate Hours | Chuck Wright |
| 1954 | Young at Heart | Alex Burke |
| 1954 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1954 | Producers' Showcase (TV Series) | Simon Gayforth (segment 'Shadow Play') |
| 1954 | Rear Window | Jeff's Editor (voice, uncredited) |
| 1953 | Schlitz Playhouse (TV Series) | Jimmy Sampson |
| 1953 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | Tony Marino |
| 1953 | Torch Song | Cliff Willard |
| 1953 | Arena | Hob Danvers |
| 1953 | City That Never Sleeps | Johnny Kelly |
| 1953 | The Girl Who Had Everything | Vance Court |
| 1952 | Holiday for Sinners | Jason Kent |
| 1952 | You for Me | Dr. Jeff Chadwick |
| 1951 | Too Young to Kiss | John Tirsen |
| 1951 | Come Fill the Cup | Boyd S. Copeland |
| 1951 | Slaughter Trail | Ike Vaughn |
| 1951 | Only the Valiant | Lt. William Holloway |
| 1951 | Target Unknown | Capt. Reiner |
| 1951 | The Bigelow Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | Pulitzer Prize Playhouse (TV Series) | George Callahan |
| 1950 | Hunt the Man Down | Paul Bennett |
| 1950 | The Silver Theatre (TV Series) | Tim Davis |
| 1949 | Tell It to the Judge | Alexander Darvac |
| 1949 | Lust for Gold | Pete Thomas |
| 1948 | Wake of the Red Witch | Samuel 'Sam' Rosen |
| 1948 | The Three Musketeers | Porthos |
| 1948 | The Woman in White | Walter Hartright |
| 1947 | Escape Me Never | Caryl Dubrok |
| 1943 | Old Acquaintance | Rudd Kendall |
| 1943 | Air Force | Lieut. Bill Williams - 'Mary Ann' Co-Pilot |
| 1942 | The Gay Sisters | Gig Young |
| 1942 | The Mad Martindales | Peter Varney (as Byron Barr) |
| 1942 | The Male Animal | Student (uncredited) |
| 1942 | Captains of the Clouds | Student Pilot (as Byron Barr) |
| 1941 | You're in the Army Now | Soldier (uncredited) |
| 1941 | They Died with Their Boots On | Lt. Roberts (uncredited) |
| 1941 | The Tanks Are Coming (Short) | Jim Allen (as Byron Barr) |
| 1941 | One Foot in Heaven | First Groom Asking for Dog Licence (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Navy Blues | Sailor in Storeroom (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Dive Bomber | Abbott (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Sergeant York | Marching Soldier (uncredited) |
| 1941 | Here Comes the Cavalry (Short) | Trooper Rollins (as Byron Barr) |
| 1940 | Misbehaving Husbands | Floor Walker (as Byron Barr) |