Montgomery Clift

Edward Montgomery Clift, known as Montgomery Clift, was an American actor born on October 17, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska. He gained fame for his portrayals of 'moody, sensitive young men' and is best remembered for his roles in Red River, A Place in the Sun, From Here to Eternity, Judgment at Nuremberg, and The Misfits. He was regarded as one of the original method actors in Hollywood, invited to study at the prestigious Actors Studio alongside great names such as Marlon Brando and James Dean. Clift's formative years were spent travelling in Europe and America, becoming fluently bilingual in German and French, experiences that likely shaped his unique approach to acting.

In his later life, Clift had to deal with considerable personal challenges. He suffered from health problems after a serious car accident, which affected his appearance and led to substance abuse. Despite the physical and emotional toll, along with increasing difficulty securing roles, Clift continued working in films until his death from a heart attack on July 23, 1966. His life's work has left an indelible influence on the acting profession, paving the way for future method actors and for a more personal and vulnerable style of performance. A documentary about his life was made by his nephew, Robert Anderson Clift, titled Making Montgomery Clift, aimed to dispel myths surrounding the actor's life and career.