Gig Young: Movies, Awards & Box Office

Gig Young, born Byron Elsworth Barr on 1913-11-04 in St. Cloud, Minnesota, rose from modest beginnings to become one of Hollywood’s most memorable character actors. Raised in Washington, D.C., his early fascination with the stage began at McKinley High School, where he performed in school plays before taking a night class in acting while working as a used‑car salesman. A scholarship to Pasadena Playhouse launched his career, and after being spotted by a Warner Bros. talent scout he signed a contract, initially appearing under his birth name in uncredited bits such as Sergeant York (1941) and Dive Bomber (1941). A pivotal role in The Gay Sisters (1942) introduced the nickname Gig Young, which the studio adopted as his professional moniker. After a brief hiatus serving as a pharmacist’s mate in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, he returned to the screen, gaining recognition for his nuanced portrayals of second leads and supporting characters, notably as an alcoholic in Come Fill the Cup (1951) – a performance that earned his first Oscar and Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His versatility shone in a string of Warner Bros., MGM, and Columbia pictures, ranging from the swashbuckling The Three Musketeers (1948) to the comedic Too Young to Kiss (1952). A Broadway stint in Oh Men! Oh Women! (1953‑54) highlighted his comedic timing, while television work on shows like The Twilight Zone and The Rogues expanded his audience. His career peaked with an Academy Award win for Best Supporting Actor in They Shoot Horses, Don’t They? (1969), cementing his status as a distinguished talent despite personal struggles.* Personal life was turbulent; he married five times, most famously to actress Elizabeth Montgomery (1956‑1963). His only child, daughter Jennifer, was born in 1964 with his fourth wife Elaine Williams. Alcoholism increasingly hampered his career, leading to missed roles and on‑set collapses, and tragically culminated in a murder‑suicide on 1978-10-19 when he shot his young wife Kim Schmidt before taking his own life. The tragic end contrasted sharply with his lasting legacy, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and an enduring reputation as a charismatic, if troubled, performer.