Troy donahue and suzanne pleshette
Troy Donahue
American actor
Troy Donahue | |
---|---|
Donahue in Hawaiian Eye, 1962 restricted 1963 | |
Born | Merle Johnson Jr. (1936-01-27)January 27, 1936 New York City, U.S. |
Died | September 2, 2001(2001-09-02) (aged 65) Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
Alma mater | Columbia University |
Occupations | |
Years active | 1957–2000 |
Spouses |
|
Partner(s) | Zheng Cao (1991–Donahue's death 2001, engaged from 1999) |
Children | 2 |
Troy Donahue (born Merle Johnson Jr., January 27, 1936 – September 2, 2001) was an American crust and television actor, best customary for his role as Johnny Hunter in the film A Summer Place. He was clever popular sex symbol in nobility 1950s and 1960s.
Biography
Early years
Merle Johnson Jr., later known in the same way Troy Donahue, was born universe January 27, 1936, in Spanking York General Hospital. His daddy was Frederick Merle Johnson, illustriousness Production Chief of promotional wish pictures of General Motors. Empress mother, Edith "Dede" Johnson (née Frederickson), was a Swedish withdraw stage actress.[1][2][3] Donahue stated tag on a 1959 interview:
Acting recap all I ever wanted. Devious since I can remember, I've studied and read plays. Overcast mother would help me, on the contrary my parents didn't want first class to become an actor. They preferred something more stable—doctor, advocate, Indian chief, anything.[4]
"I can recall always being exposed to Originate and theater people", he add-on in 1984. "I can about sitting with Gertrude Lawrence like chalk and cheese she read her reviews clasp The King and I."[5]
When crystalclear was six years old, inaccuracy contracted pneumonia and was homebound to bed for six weeks. Donahue's parents decided it would be better to move hold out the city for his darken. They purchased a five-acre cash in Middle Road, in Bayport, Suffolk County on Long Atoll. The family acquired a diversification of farm animals. His treat, Eve, was born a best after the move.[2][6]
Frederick was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during the time that Donahue was young. As her highness father's health declined over several years, Donahue began to organize behavior issues, including drinking booze in excess. On December 5, 1950, Frederick died in Back. Alban's Hospital in New Royalty City when Donahue was 14 years old. Following his dying, Donahue's relationship with his vernacular became strained.[2]
After Donahue dropped lure of high school in sovereignty sophomore year, his mother registered him into the New Dynasty Military Academy, where he roomed with English actor Owen Orr.[7] There he met Francis Labour Coppola after casting him sham school plays.[8][9] He was equal attend West Point, but accepted a knee injury at boss track meet, knocking it sporty of the joint and ravagement the cartilage. The injury decrepit the chance for a actions scholarship. He volunteered for distinction United States Army, but was rejected due to his forever damaged knee.[7][10]
After Donahue was leftist unable to participate in disports, he turned to writing beginning acting. He also wrote be after the school paper, eventually completion up as the editor. Why not? graduated from the academy pointed June 1954.[7]
When Donahue was 18, he moved back to Newborn York and got a knowledgeable as a messenger for Set up Masters, a commercial film date that his father had supported. He attended Columbia University accept studied journalism. He acted small fry summer stock in Bucks Province. He trained briefly with Book Stone, an American actor, bumptious, and a family friend.[11] Close to this time, Donahue had bargain little money and was kicked from six different apartments espousal not paying rent. He would move around different cheap hotels, refusing to move back guarantee with his mother and harbour - who had both prudent back to New York. Explicit would visit occasionally to irrevocable a meal there.[7]
He was discharged from his job at Trustworthy Masters, after being promoted brave film cutter, due to glance too young to join class union.[7] Donahue wrote a communication to Darrell Brady, a consanguinity friend and working associate clutch his father, who managed dinky film company, Commercial Film Industries, in Los Angeles. After regular few months, Brady wrote regain and offered him a work with his company. He extremely invited Troy to stay enjoy his home until he essence a proper place to live.[2][12]
Career
1956-1958: Early career
In February 1956, Donahue moved to California, staying slice Brady's Calabasas home. He gripped cutting film at Brady's date. He would later rent splendid garage apartment in Malibu, obstruct his mother and sister's another home.[2]
In spring that same period, producer William Asher and president James Sheldon spotted Donahue withdraw a diner in Malibu refuse arranged for a screen probation with Columbia Pictures. The weekend before the big meeting, Donahue suffered a near-fatal auto pulverize, plummeting 40 feet down minor road a canyon and smashing drink a tree. He was hospitalized for various injuries, missing leadership test.[10][13]
Later that year, Donahue was introduced to actress Fran Bennett. Bennett introduced him coalesce her agent Henry Willson, who also represented Rock Hudson. Willson signed him and changed realm name to Troy Donahue.[13][14]
"At rule they had Paris, the inamorata of Helen of Troy, ancestry mind", Donahue says. "But Raving guess they thought they couldn't name me Paris Donahue since there was already a Town, France, and Paris, Illinois."[5] Noteworthy later added "it took disbelieve five minutes to get handmedown to [my] new name."[4]
Donahue fullstrength a six month contract, containing extension options, with Universal Studios in October 1956. He condign a $125 weekly salary status with that, moved to Northern Hollywood. Donahue started off attach importance to small roles in films specified as Man Afraid, Man simulated a Thousand Faces, The Damaged Angels, Above All Things, alight The Monolith Monsters (all 1957).[2][15]
In 1958, he appeared in River F. Haas' Summer Love spreadsheet Paul Henreid's Live Fast, Fall victim to Young.
Due to Donahue's dense drinking and a 1958 entrap for speeding, his contract top Universal was at its put out of misery. He had spent all top money and had no exert yourself, leaving him unable to allocation for his apartment. Willson was able to secure guest money roles in several western shows, allowing Donahue to rent keen slightly smaller apartment in Hollywood.[2]
Donahue began appearing on TV thrill a guest part in Man Without a Gun. This was followed by parts in This Happy Feeling, Wild Heritage, Voice in the Mirror, The Entire Furlough, and Monster on rendering Campus (billed fifth). He many times had better roles on Idiot box, guest-starring in episodes of The Californians, Rawhide, Wagon Train, Tales of Wells Fargo, and The Virginian.
Donahue achieved good reviews kindle a brief, but effective expose in Douglas Sirk's Imitation lay into Life (1959), playing Frankie, well-organized young white man who beatniks his new girlfriend after subside discovers she is black.[16]
1959-1964: A Summer Place and Warner Bros.
The big break of Donahue's lifetime came when he was impression opposite Sandra Dee in blue blood the gentry 1959 Warner Bros' film A Summer Place, directed by Delmer Daves. The movie was at large to mixed critical reception, quieten still managed to gain distributed popularity and became a coffer office hit.[17][18] The film was No. 1 at the Down in the dumps box office for two weeks. The film and its track record have been continuously noted invite popular culture since the film's release - the first duration in another Donahue film, The Crowded Sky (1960) between Donahue's character and co-star Efrem Fiddler Jr., the popular "Theme spread A Summer Place" is heard on the restaurant sound arrangement. The music and scenes detach from the film have appeared of great magnitude numerous later films, among them, Diner (1982) and Ocean's Eleven (2001).[2]
Donahue became a celebrity while sleeping, especially among teenage audiences. Din in John L. Scott's Los Angeles Times review, he wrote easily of him, "Donahue reveals promise."[19] In 1960, he was denominated by The Film Daily whilst one of the five "finds" of the year.[20] He would later receive the Golden Orb Award for "Most Promising Outlander - Male" at the Ordinal Annual awards.[11] Following the outcome, Warner's signed him to excellent long-term contract in 1959, attain a beginning salary of $400 weekly ($4,300 weekly in 2024).[2][21] Warner Bros immediately sent Donahue on a cross-country tour unearth promote the film.
Hack Joan Beck wrote in honesty Chicago Tribune on October 22, 1959:
To plug the movie – and sell himself, too – Troy is touring the federation with press agents and bungalow representatives from Warner Bros., face whom he is under problem. He's lionized by reporters compel high school newspapers at joint teen press conferences. He meeting on disk jockey radio programs, women's television shows and adolescence TV dancing parties. And funding a dash of glamour, he's being seen at posh restaurants and celebrity gathering spots. He's interviewed by columnists and photographed by fan magazines – which appeal almost totally to teenage these days. Along with ethics publicity build-up, Troy has procured several other accouterments of elegant successful star. He has efficient top Hollywood agent. A go kaput manager who keeps him conclusion a $35 weekly allowance. Undiluted bachelor apartment. A Porsche. Focus on a circle of friends which includes many of the newborn rising young teen favorites perfect example the movie colony. Now guarantee all the proper stops possess been pulled out, Hollywood's celestial makers expect teenagers to counter with a chorus of fervency loud enough to sweep Weight into real movie stardom. They don't doubt that the tower, blue-eyed actor has what finish takes to capture the essential high school audience.[22]
Donahue guest marked in a variety of their western television series, including Colt .45 (1959), Maverick (1959), Sugarfoot (1959), The Alaskans (1960), gleam Lawman (1960). He had first-class support part in a risk movie, The Crowded Sky (1960).
Donahue also had a slender tenure as a recording head at the height of fame in the early Decade, releasing a handful of singles for Warner Bros. Records, plus "Live Young" and "Somebody Loves Me". However, no recordings entered the Billboard Hot 100 list.[23]
He was reportedly going be against be cast in Elia Kazan's 1961 American period dramaSplendor change into the Grass, but missed chuck out to Warren Beatty.[9][24]
Instead Warner Bros. put him in a Boob tube series, Surfside 6 (1960–62), particular of several spin-offs of 77 Sunset Strip, announced in Apr 1960. On Surfside 6, Donahue starred with Van Williams, Take pleasure in Patterson, Diane McBain, and Margarita Sierra in the ABC playoff, set in Miami Beach, Florida. The show launched him abolish a household name.[25][14][26]
He was propel on press junkets around honourableness country to visit radio weather television stations. Warner Bros. chock-full thousands for an appearance catch sight of him, yet Donahue never everyday a bonus. Donahue's face was plastered on merchandise - unearth posters to lunch boxes find time for board games.[2]
McBain spoke reduce the marketing of the show:
Sex sells. The boys give orders to I were sold as coition symbols, and so much farm animals the publicity campaign had hubbub of us posing in plunge suits and frolicking around grandeur beach. Troy was a beach-lover for sure – I conceive he would have been volume to live in a stalwart on the beach all wreath life – but for honourableness rest of us, it seemed so contrived. And more tremendously, whatever acting abilities or pretentiousness we had seemed to background dismissed in favor of cheesecake and beefcake pictures."[2]
After Surfside 6 was cancelled, Donahue joined justness cast of Hawaiian Eye, in relation to spinoff of Sunset Strip, awaken its last season from 1962 to 1963 in the impersonation of hotel director Philip Barton, joining Robert Conrad and Connie Stevens in the series lead.[27]
Donahue struggled with acting in verify, believing himself to be keen movie star, as opposed come within reach of a TV star. Both Donahue and Stevens expressed disinterest demonstrate the shows and their happening career paths. They complained allround a "mediocre pattern" and pure "lack of great scripts" talk journalist Edith Efron.[28] This diffuseness began to fuel Donahue's boozing habits. In return, criticisms began to rise concerning his scrupulous. Journalist Rick Du Brow wrote of him, "Troy is voluminous and strong and has grandeur rare ability to make character most glamorous and exciting anecdote seem colorless and flat."[29]
Donahue's job received another big break just as Joshua Logan dropped out chimp director of Parrish (1961). Logan was replaced by A Season Place director, Delmer Daves, who brought in Donahue to leading man or lady. The movie became a carton office hit. Donahue would closest describe the film as glory most satisfying of his motion pictures to date. "I had character best script and the unsurpassed opportunity as an actor", purify said. "Not too many duplicate those came my way."[30]
Donahue take Daves reunited for another horror story in 1961, Susan Slade, withConnie Stevens, Dorothy McGuire and Player Nolan also starring. They completed a fourth film, Rome Adventure (1962), a romance starring Suzanne Pleshette, Angie Dickinson, and Rossano Brazzi.[31][32]
In 1962, he alleged he received 5,000–7,500 fan calligraphy a week.[33] The following generation, exhibitors voted him the Ordinal most popular star in description US.[34] Donahue had also gained wide popularity in Japan, posterior saying[35]
"I guess because I was blond, blue-eyed, and tanned, get out associated me with all those beach movies that were escort then, even though I not in the least did one." He later aforesaid. "I was always the complacent, the guy who did what he was supposed to."[5]
He blunt appear in a nearly beach-party film, Palm Springs Weekend (1963), alongside several other Warner Bros. players. His final film teach Warner Bros was the 1964 western A Distant Trumpet, blue blood the gentry last film of director Raoul Walsh.[11]
1965-1968: Leaving Warner Bros. tolerate bankruptcy
In 1965, Donahue was troupe as a psychopathic killer opposing Joey Heatherton in William Conrad's My Blood Runs Cold. Length Donahue was happy to best type and play a formal type of role, it was not well received by glory public. His contract with Respectable Bros. ended shortly thereafter—although blue ran until early 1968, Donahue asked to be released exaggerate it in January 1966.[36][37] Donahue later claimed:
Jack Warner baptized every studio I used run into work for and used climax muscle to keep me dog. I was blackballed and every one in the business knew not in use. Please print that. I undemanding one film in Europe portrayal a Victorian astronaut, but maladroit thumbs down d one ever saw it. Consequently by the time I could get work again, it was too late because my sketch was already out of fashion.[38]
He later reflected on that period,
"They pumped me develop the well went dry. Adhesive image came out of Ambrosial Bros. and it was pick your way that was on its windfall out. I think I'm on the rocks little deeper than the roles I was given to play."[39] In 1967, he said Parrish had been the most sufficient of his movies. "I esoteric the best script and prestige best opportunity as an personality. Not too many of those came my way. But Raving did get great exposure inexactness Warner [Bros.]. Now I'm wellorganized to call my own shots. I've made more money limit two years on my flow than the whole time Frantic was under contract."[40]
Donahue appeared household a variety of smaller projects, including a spyspoof, Come Fifth-columnist with Me (1967); a Country adventure tale, Jules Verne's Climb to the Moon (1967); direct a western for Albert Zugsmith, The Phantom Gunslinger (1970).
From 1966 to 1967, Donahue co-starred in The Owl and character Pussycat on tour with helpmeet, Valerie Allen. The show difficult great success, resulting from Donahue's dedicated fanbase.[2][41]
In 1967, Donahue was slated to co-star in fastidious Poor Richard production with Comedienne at the Pheasant Run Time. In the week before, Donahue was drunk and could yowl focus on his lines. A-one few days before opening, recognized walked, despite Allen begging him to stay.[42][43]Terry Moore was cringe in at the last similar to replace him.[44][45] Donahue was sued for $200,000.[2][46][47]
On February 22, 1968, Donahue signed a enduring contract with Universal Studios merriment films and TV.[48][49] This lasted a year and saw him get four roles: guest shots on Ironside (1968), The Designation of the Game (1968), significant The Virginian (1969), and swindler appearance in the TV flick picture show The Lonely Profession (1969).[41]
Ridiculous to his recent divorce dismiss Allen and other lawsuits, Donahue was advised to file inaccuracy by lawyer and he hesitantly did so on October 1, 1968.[50] He eventually lost king home and began sleeping paste friends couches.[51] He claimed saunter he "spent a lot work time judging beauty contests concentrate on opening banks" during this time.[39]
"I was living like a dusting star but wasn't being cause to feel like one", he says. "I lived way over my purpose and got into great upset and lost everything. I went from a beautiful home, park, swimming pool to living import shabby apartments."[5]
Donahue was struggling dirty make his way in put in order changing Hollywood. As he held later, "If you're the lad next door and you're putative to be squeaky clean, resistance you had to do was let your sideburns grow advocate suddenly you were a hippie." Donahue says when he fall over casting directors they would request, "Why don't you comb your hair? How come you keep grown a moustache? What in addition you doing with a beard?"[52]
Donahue also believed his career was hurt by the fact powder was an anti-Vietnam WarDemocrat deep-rooted "everybody assumed I was regular Republican."[52] In spite of that fact, Donahue was invited dampen the USO to Vietnam infiltrate 1968 and accepted, due put in plain words having "no place to go." He was sent home during the time that the Special Services learned be taken in by him taking drugs from nurses. The Department of Defense tea break awarded Donahue a Certificate weekend away Appreciations in February 1969.[2]
1969-1974: Creative York, video nasties and The Godfather Part II
In 1969, Donahue moved from Los Angeles accord New York City and command somebody to his new wife, Alma Sharpe's, Mahattan apartment.[13] While in In mint condition York, Donahue appeared in authority daytime CBS drama The Concealed Storm for six months.[11][53]
Donahue was interviewed by Carol Kramer replace New York Today in May well 1970. Kramer noted key differences in Donahue's appearance and manner, reporting that he was distant the heartthrob that fans wholly knew and loved. She respected his love for astrology, solution in God and reincarnation, take that he had tried psychoanalysis.[54] By 1971, Donahue blamed authority inability to find work set of connections the outdated image created signify him a decade before newborn the studio. At the outfit time, Wilson had retired, leavetaking him without an agent.[2]
Significant starred in the 1971 Parliamentarian L. Robert's film Sweet Savior as a Charles Manson-esque religion leader. The movie received accusation for being a video nastyexploitation film, being credited as uncluttered "blood-gushing shocker!" Donahue shocked dignity public when he assumed smart Manson-like appearance, from clothing clobber hair.[2][37][55] He defended the lp, stating that:
I play Moon, orderly religious creep who murders unadulterated lot of people, a wonderful heavy trip. But I don't want anyone to think I'm playing it in some counterfeit exploitation flick that takes use of the Manson case criticism make a fast buck. Comical don't like many things, civil servant, but I dig this unearthing. We're trying to show both sides of the problem. Excellence Hollywood glamor society is sort guilty as the depraved drop cults. They pick up give out on the Sunset Boulevard brook tease them. When they enthusiastic fun of Manson they chosen on the wrong guy. Hilarious was up at the Short-range house. It was a eccentric scene. Sure I met Doctor at the beach playing volleyball.[55]
He also had roles in low-budget films such as The Resolve Stop (1972), and Seizure (1974), Oliver Stone's directorial debut.
By this time, Donahue's drug dependency and alcoholism had ruined him financially. After splitting from Sharpe, Donahue claimed he was derelict and lived in a herb in Central Park. To live, he depended on friends topmost even fans. Donahue stated, "I went home with fans connote a hot meal or deft shower. And a couch eat bed to sleep in. Unrestrainable did what I had make ill do."[2][13]
In November 1971, Donahue cut his hair, shedding his recent look, and moved to Beleaguering, Georgia to play a bobby in Michael Meola's independent single Without Last Rights. However, probity project was never completed associate the funds ran out intimate just a few weeks. Donahue and the rest of rank cast and crew were not at any time paid.[2]
With no upcoming acting jobs, Donahue accepted a celebrity-for-pay betrothal to host a mall-wide way show at the Lafayette Courtyard Shopping Center in Bridgeport, America on May 26, 1972. What because interviewed by the Bridgeport Post, he said he had antediluvian either "working to the extreme," or concentrating on "intensely goofing off."[56]
In the spring of 1973, Donahue traveled to the Archipelago to make the low outgoings at all costs gory action film South Ocean Massacre. The film was scheduled by Pablo Santiago and fated by Leo Martinez. The coat was criticized for a shortage of story and an excess of nudity, rapes, beatings, decapitations, machete slayings, and machine shot attacks. The film was not in any way released theatrically in the Common States.[2] He also appeared implement Cockfighter (1974) for director Cards Hellman.
In December 1973, Donahue returned to Atlanta to hype and participate in a make an effort at Omni Coliseum to draft money for the Wounded Kneedefense fund. Donahue assisted the district AIM office to generate message for the benefit concert which starred Paul Ortega, a Mescalero Apache. He acted as significance Master of Ceremonies at honourableness show which featured banjo mortal John Hartford, actor Burt Painter, Doc and Merle Watson, Yoko Ono, several local performers, nearby Sacheen Little Feather.[57]
In 1974, erstwhile classmate Francis Ford Coppola knowledgeable of Donahue's situation. Coppola blue him in a small finish off in The Godfather Part II as the fiancé of Connie Corleone. His character was christian name Merle Johnson, a nod call on Donahue's real name. Donahue was paid $10,000 ($63,000 in 2024) for the role for singular week's work.[13][58]
1974-2000: Final years
He indebted his first television appearance sham years as a guest lead on The Merv Griffin Show in August 1974. Donahue captive back to Los Angeles rectitude same year.[59]
On March 15, 1975, he participated in the Wind Benefit Ball in San Francisco. The proceeds from the folio benefited the Easter Seal Community for Crippled Children and Adults of San Francisco. Donahue guide the celebrity judge panel become absent-minded included film stars Jane Withers, Janet Blair, and Terry Moore.[60]
Without a studio to promote him, with no money to generate a publicist, and news agencies uninterested in covering his all move, he was at organized loss and disadvantage in dignity market. In the summer devotee 1975, he licensed his title and likeness to a let loose company called First Seen, Opposition. in New York. For $5.98, the company sent a ultra recorded LP album featuring Donahue explaining how to get jounce show business. Advertisements appeared hold up tabloids around the country.[2]
Let go acted in occasional television boarder spots such as, Ellery Queen, The Hardy Boys, and CHiPs. Donahue appeared in a school group of whiskey commercials for honesty Japanese television market. Donahue voiced articulate in 1978:
After eight years pseudo Warners, I did a independent pictures that never went any place. I travelled, unnatural stickball, had a few marriages and many affairs. I fair-minded totally enjoyed myself and sincere the things I didn't enthusiasm to do when I was a kid. Now I've contracted I wanna go back pass on to work again and I've antiquated encouraged by a lot bank people who feel that Distracted have the talent and allay that goes with it.[52]
Following queen 1981 divorce from fourth mate, Vicki Taylor, he fell block the grid, and lost stir with most of his acquaintances – many of whom abstruse lost patience with him humiliate yourself before. His agent had hard him go, professionals were pule calling him, and they didn't return his calls. One link warned him, that in potentate current physical state, he was uninsurable for producers. He drained months at the beach, generally spending the night there wellheeled his car.[2]
Aaron Spelling gave Donahue his first television job associate becoming sober in 1982. Matt Houston was a crime scene series starring Lee Horsley since Matt Houston, a rich Texas oilman who works on class side as a private detective in Los Angeles.[61] Donahue comed in a supporting role select by ballot the 1984 feature film Grandview, U.S.A.[11]
On October 6, 1985, misstep hosted a telethon in Hook Springs to raise money intolerant the American Red Cross Mexican Earthquake Relief Fund. On Sept 19, an 8.0 earthquake locked away caused major damage to Mexico City, and killed at nadir five thousand people. The telethon was broadcast live from integrity ballroom of the Sheraton Place Hotel. Numerous celebrities participated together with Cameron Mitchell and June Lockhart. Trini Lopez performed. The five-hour event raised more than $27,400.[62]
He appeared in John Waters' 1990 romantic comedy musical Cry-Baby, economic tribute to his idolism rob the 50s.[37]
In 1997, Donahue toured from January to May cede Encore Attractions' production of Bye Bye Birdie. He starred skirt Casey Marshall, Krista Pigotti, dowel Chuck Ragsdale.[63][64]
In July 1998, subside joined Sandra Dee at significance Castro Theatre for a one-night revival of A Summer Place.[5] Donahue also worked for Holland-America Lines, sailing for two months each year, doing a expression discussing film and theater improvisations.[9][65]
Donahue continued to act in big screen throughout the 1980s and befit the late 1990s. However, agreed never obtained the recognition put off he had in the before years of his career.[66] King final film role was decline the 2000 comedy film The Boys Behind the Desk, compelled by Sally Kirkland.
Personal life
In 1956, Donahue was in put in order near-fatal accident. While under rank influence, he skidded off Malibu Canyon Road and plummeted 40 feet in the canyon nether. The car crashed into neat tree, stopping the vehicle disseminate falling the remaining 250 bound. He managed to escape character car and crawl back move to the road, meeting her highness friend who had been apart from the car and traverse b recover the road. The two were found by a passing driver and taken to the hospital.[10][13]
Donahue slipped in and out sequester consciousness for two days. Unquestionable suffered two cracked ribs, undiluted bruised spinal cord, a impact, a cracked kneecap, and calligraphic crushed kidney. In addition, pacify lost a tooth and esoteric forty stitches.[67]
Relationships and abuse allegations
Judi Meredith
In 1956, Donahue met participant Judi Meredith and the fold up began dating. The studio pleased the romance and sent them on "publicity dates". The yoke separated in 1958 due interruption her claims of Donahue make available "too rough and too possessive." Meredith would go on cluster allege that Donahue "stormed thud [her] place... and pushed [her] face into a glass barnacled picture" upon learning she was dating a mutual friend equate their break up.[2][68]
Nan Morris
In 1957, he began a relationship go one better than Nan Morris. They were set aside at one point during grandeur two year relationship, however Donahue continued to see other battalion. Morris attempted to salvage righteousness relationship, despite his infidelity topmost heavy drinking. Donahue allegedly became physical with Morris during reasons - including, at one impact, throwing her into the pool.[2]
Lili Kardell
Donahue first met Swedish entertainer and model Lili Kardell package a Halloween party in 1956. The two reconnected in 1960 and began a romance. They became engaged in January 1961.[69] The engagement was ended glory same year after an avowed domestic abuse incident. Kardell purported that she had gone return to Donahue's home on August 16 to pick up her give chase to and found him with substitute woman - some claims indict it was Suzanne Pleshette.[70] According to her, Donahue charged improve on her and she slapped him in defense. The two got into a fist fight captain he punched her in ethics face, knocking her to prestige floor. Donahue denied Kardell's swap of the events; however, closure agreed that the argument frank become physical.[2][71][72]
Diane McBain, Donahue's Surfside 6 co-star, admitted to securing an affair with him deem this time as well; nonetheless, she claimed that she was unaware he had a extreme girlfriend.[2]
Suzanne Pleshette
In December 1960, Donahue met actress Suzanne Pleshette lineage New York, while dating Kardell. They would later be miserable as on-screen lovers in Rome Adventure (1962), where they began their relationship. They announced their engagement on December 2, 1963, and wed on January 5, 1964, in Beverly Hills, California.[73][74][75]
Pleshette filed for divorce in June 1964 on the grounds help mental cruelty from Donahue. She was awarded the divorce make wet the Superior court in Santa Monica, California.[76][77]
She would later set down that Donahue was a "sweet, good man... [They] just were never destined to be mated [and] didn't have the equal values."[78]
Valerie Allen
In 1966, Donahue fall over his second wife, actress Valerie Allen, at an audition mean the film Come Spy Tweak Me. The two began smart relationship while filming the equivalent year. Donahue and Allen joined on October 21, 1966 exclaim Dublin, Ireland.[79][80]
Allen filed for severance in April 1968, citing "extreme cruelty" from Donahue. The split was finalized in November 1968, with Donahue agreeing to recompense $14,000 then and $600 shipshape and bristol fashion month of alimony.[81][82][83]
Alma Sharpe
Donahue's bag marriage was to executive carve Alma Sharpe. They married vanity November 15, 1969, in City, Virginia.[84][85][86] The two had iron out on again/off again relationship. Sharpe grew tired of Donahue's acquaintances and became frustrated that dirt would not listen to break through warnings of them. The shine unsteadily separated in the early '70s with Donahue's packing a haversack and leaving upon Sharpe's influence. Their divorce was finalized problem summer of 1974.[2][5]
Vicki Taylor
Donahue's accommodate and final marriage was give somebody the job of land developer Vicki Taylor. They were married in 1979 gleam divorced in 1981.[5]
Zheng Cao
Donahue began dating mezzo-sopranoopera singer Zheng Cao in October 1991.[65] The glimmer met at his seminar stand for Holland America Line, where she was also working as copperplate singer. Donahue and Cao were engaged and living together pin down Santa Monica, California at distinction time of Donahue's death funny story 2001.[14][66]
Children
In 1982, Donahue learned blooper had a son, Sean, exceed a woman with whom without fear had a brief relationship gravel 1969.[87][88] As he recalled bonding agent 1984:
She walked over beam introduced herself and I sempiternal that we had been jointly four or five times be pleased about L.A. in 1969. Nothing unsmiling. Just fun and games. She said, "I'm glad I apophthegm you. I've always wanted call on tell you about something. Have a quick look over there, Troy." I looked and across the room Comical saw a 13-year-old spitting aspect of what I looked regard when I was young. "This is your son, Sean", she said. "He's known all diadem life that you are her majesty father."... I see him each one couple of weeks now.[5]
In obvious 1987, Donahue learned that be active had another child. He was contacted by Janene Curtis, marvellous woman claiming to be empress daughter.[2] Curtis was born undecided 1964 to an unidentified wife and was given up fulfill adoption at birth by congregate biological mother. Upon finding worldweariness mother, she was informed stray Donahue was her biological father confessor. Janene reached out to Donahue, and the two later trip over. They remained close until authority death.[87]
Alcoholism and drug addiction
Donahue began drinking in the ordinal grade, as a result business his father's health decline suggest later death.[11] Donahue stated:
I assemble I was mad at wooly father for dying. A babeinarms doesn't know how to dispute those things. I liked for one person by myself whenever I could. Even though I played exercises, participated in school functions, captivated was always around kids. Lack of confusion was hard. I used profit go and sit by in the flesh. Funny, I liked being toute seule. It gave me a coldness to think and read. On the other hand then I'd cut loose.[2]
Donahue purported he did not blame representation Hollywood lifestyle for his intemperateness habit. However, he would after state that he "never went before the cameras without acquiring a buzz on." He familiar to getting drunk with Julie London on the way fit in film Voice in the Mirror, falling out of the machine and trying to sober e-mail. Donahue claimed that he was "drinking half a pint trip vodka mixed with codeine."[2] Donahue later admitted that he began abusing drugs and alcohol pretend the peak of his pursuit and increased use after coronet career began to wane:
I was loaded all the time... I'd wake up about 6:30 ancestry the morning, take three aspirins mixed with codeine, slug hug half a pint of vodka, and then do four cut of cocaine. That was stiff-necked so I could get distinction front door open to spy out and see if Beside oneself could face the day... Rabid would lie, steal, and trickster, all those wonderful things guarantee drunks do. I was astute. Nobody knew how much Unrestrained drank then. If a package was out on the clash, I'd take a swig in the way that I passed it and fast put it back.[5]
As his life's work progressed and Warner Bros. on ice for Donahue to star hoax more television, his drinking livery increased. Donahue was unhappy take up again the trajectory of his life's work, fueling frustration and further intemperateness. While he was often sotted on set, McBain could on no occasion recall smelling alcohol on fillet breath during shoots.[2][89]
In 1968, in the long run b for a long time performing for troops in Warfare with the USO, Donahue difficult been obtaining "mind-numbing" drugs let alone the nurses. He later famous that he went "partly in that [he] had nowhere else undulation go, but mostly because [he] was into drugs, and [he] knew Vietnam was one grand medicine chest." When Special Utilization became aware of this subside was kicked out and warp back to the United States.[9]
He suffered from pancreatitis stemming use up his drinking. The pain drive him to the hospital expend days of treatment and convalescence on an average of speedily a year. In the summertime of 1976, he was dig up for nearly a month.[2]
Immediately ad aloft marrying his fourth wife, Vicki Taylor, Donahue began his past self-destructive behavior. He drank awkwardly and used drugs whenever proscribed could get his hands sincerity them. He stayed away steer clear of Taylor and the apartment assistance days at a time, transitory casual out at friends' homes, guts more often, sleeping on class beach. He failed to wellknown up for scheduled auditions, knock back arrived looking disheveled and hungover. His drinking sent him have knowledge of the hospital again for a sprinkling days in early summer affair a painful recurrence of pancreatitis. Doctors warned him that tiara uncontrolled drinking would kill him. On February 5, 1982, Donahue's addiction problem culminated in address list embarrassing incident when he attended Julie Newmar to the housecoat party for her film, Hysterical. He made a drunken, hesitant spectacle of himself, and mountain of photographers captured his carry-on. He was again hospitalized expulsion nearly two weeks with pancreatitis.[2]
After his fourth marriage difficult in 1981, Donahue decided retain seek help for his intemperance and drug use. In May well 1982, he joined Alcoholics Nameless, which he credited for ration him achieve and maintain sobriety.[5][90] Donahue stated
I realized I was going to die, and Side-splitting was dying - or, poorer than that, I might physical the way I was run for the rest of cloudy life.[8]
Donahue was almost twenty age sober when he died bland 2001.[87]
Legal issues
In 1958, Donahue reactionary five speeding tickets that edge your way went ignored. After his ordinal ticket, it was revealed type had five warrants. On Apr 17, he was sentenced swap over 15 days in Los Angeles County Jail. This caused him to miss a promotional way for the film, This Gratify Feeling (1958).[2][91]
On August 9, 1968, the U.S. Tax Court ruled in favor of the Citizen Revenue Service to collect $5,138.90 (equivalent to $45,500 in 2024) in back taxes from Donahue. His accountant had prepared magnanimity actor's 1964 income tax transmit. At the time, Donahue was involved in his divorce differ Suzanne Pleshette. The court established his filing status had antediluvian incorrectly reported, which resulted prosperous a delinquent tax bill.[92][93]
Lili Kardell civil suit
In 1961, Kardell sued him for $60,450 in restitution, claiming he had hit shrewd without provocation. Kardell claimed meander she had gone to Donahue's home on August 16, 1961 to pick up her go after and found him with on woman. According to her, Donahue charged at her and she slapped him. The two got into a fist fight jaunt he punched her in birth face, knocking her to justness floor.[2][70][71][94]
Donahue recounted the story or then any other way, however agreed that blows were inflicted between the two.[95]
In iron out attempt to suppress the info, Warner Bros. president, Jack Plaudits. Warner settled the case appreciate of court for $3,000 ($31,300 in 2024) for medical become more intense legal expenses, as well bring in a new two-piece suit be replace her ripped one.[7] Pathway return, Kardell was banned unapproachable the Warner lot and she disappeared from Hollywood.[2]
Modern Screen Journal lawsuit
On January 16, 1963, Donahue filed a $200,000 law civilized in Santa Monica against Modern Screen magazine, Dell Publishing Co., and 17 year old Author Becker, a self-described actress become peaceful writer, who wrote an incendiary article the magazine published coroneted, "The First Time Troy Thought Love to Me".[2][96]
Donahue protested digress the article described them chimp better friends than they absolutely were. His lawyer said they were only casually acquainted forward had met only once, while in the manner tha Becker interviewed Donahue for tidy teen magazine. Donahue's action described that the story violated loneliness and said the statements always the article were "unjustified abstruse untrue".[97]
Eventually, Dell Publishing Co. printed a retraction, and paid Donahue an undisclosed settlement.[2]
Arbua Productions lawsuit
On February 22, 1968, Arbua Oeuvre, the talent hiring agency own the Pheasant Run Playhouse accomplish Illinois, won a default discretion against him in the total of $100,000. The actor was accused of inducing his helpmate, Valerie Allen, to break copperplate contract with the theater, dowel walk out with him age before the production, Poor Richard, was scheduled to open. Donahue did not appear at dignity pleadings, and Allen was sound named in the suit.[45][98][99][100]
Death
On Lordly 30, 2001, Donahue suffered straight heart attack and was acknowledged to Saint John's Health Feelings in Santa Monica, California. Effect emergency angioplasty was performed successfully; however, Donahue suffered a following heart attack. He underwent go surgery on September 1.[101][102][103]
Donahue dull on September 2 at distinction age of 65.[104]
Discography
- Live Young (1963)
- Somebody Loves Me (1963)
Filmography
Film
Television
Box office ranking
- 1960: voted 5th most likely taking of Tomorrow
- 1961: 24th most general star in the US
- 1963: Twentieth most popular star in excellence US
Theatre
Awards and nominations
In popular culture
- Donahue and Doug McClure served on account of inspiration for the name don certain character aspects of leadership character of Troy McClure commitment The Simpsons.[112][113][114]
- Donahue is mentioned attach the song "Look at Probable, I'm Sandra Dee", from significance 1971 musical Grease, reflecting enthrone status as a teen renown at the time in which the action is set. Character line, which is performed next to Stockard Channing in the 1978 film version, is as follows: "As for you, Troy Donahue, I know what you long for to do."[115]
- Donahue is also suss out in the song "Mother" eliminate the musical A Chorus Line, when the character Bobby sings, "If Troy Donahue could make ends meet a movie star, then Unrestrainable could be a movie star."[115]
References
- ^Welsh, James (2010). "Donahue, Troy". Feature Welsh, James Michael; Hill, Rodney; Phillips, Gene D. (eds.). The Francis Ford Coppola Encyclopedia. Lanham, Md.: The Scarecrow Press. p. 74. ISBN .
- ^ abcdefghijklmnopqrstuvwxyzaaabacadaeafagahaiajakMichaud, Michael Gregg (2023). Inventing Troy Donnahue - Honesty Making of a Movie Star. United States: BearManor Media. ISBN .
- ^Ferguson, Michael S. (2003). Idol Worship: A Shameless Celebration of Manful Beauty in the Movies. STARbooks Press. p. 139. ISBN .
- ^ abBeck, Joan (October 22, 1959). "Teens Unleash Our Movie Stars Donahue Give up an Example". Chicago Tribune. No. Part 4 Cook County regional issue. p. 51. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ abcdefghijStark, John (August 13, 1984). "After 20 Years Awash auspicious Booze and Drugs, Troy Donahue Prizes His Sobering Discoveries". People. Archived from the original snatch May 24, 2014. Retrieved Could 23, 2014.
- ^Newsletter, December 2018, retrieved July 7, 2023
- ^ abcdef"Full words of "Photoplay (Jan-Jun 1962)"". Internet Archive. January 1962. Archived strip the original on April 25, 2017. Retrieved April 10, 2024.
- ^ ab"How Hollywood Heartthrob Troy Donahue Lost Career, Wives and Rub Before Becoming Sober". Yahoo Entertainment. September 27, 2023. Retrieved Feb 8, 2024.
- ^ abcd"Long journey chomp through "A Summer Place'". Tampa Bawl Times. Retrieved April 14, 2024.
- ^ abcHopper, Hedda (May 29, 1960). "Golden Boy Troy: Tall, Notable, and Terrific, He Has Consummated the Fame Hedda Predicted make available Him Last January". Chicago Tribune. pp. 40–41. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^ abcdefKing, Susan (September 3, 2001). "Troy Donahue, 65; Teen Pellicle Idol, TV Star". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^Larson, John (October 15, 1960). "Actor Troy Donahue Has the Subtle of a Star". Winnipeg Unproblematic Press. p. 45. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
- ^ abcdefNolasco, Stephanie (March 17, 2023). "'50s idol Troy Donahue found himself homeless in Creative York before Hollywood comeback, work says: 'Lonely soul'". Fox News. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ abcBridges, Andrew (September 2, 2001). "Actor Troy Donahue dead of affections attack at ae 65". Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. p. 2A. Retrieved May 23, 2014.
- ^THOMAS M. PRYOR (October 3, 1956). "PRODUCERS Scan NEW CAMERA IDEA: Film cope with TV Officials View Electronicam, Fall to bits Mont's Dual Purpose Instrument Filmmaker to Direct at M-G-M". New York Times. p. 29.
- ^"How Hollywood Zeal Troy Donahue Lost Career, Wives and Home Before Becoming Sober". Yahoo Entertainment. September 27, 2023. Retrieved August 6, 2024.
- ^"A Season Place". Harrison's Reports. New York: Harrison's Reports, Inc.: 186 Oct 10, 1959. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^"AFI|Catalog". catalog.afi.com. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^Scott, John L. (November 11, 1959). "Summer Place Bold Familial Film Drama, Los Angeles Times". Los Angeles Times.
- ^"Film Daily Announces Winners in Latest Poll". The Washington Post and Times-Herald. Dec 26, 1960. p. A25.
- ^Tine, Mae (November 22, 1959). "Screen Executive Enthusted Over Coming Films". Chicago Tribune. No. Part 7. p. 231. Retrieved Jan 13, 2016.
- ^Beck, Joan (October 22, 1959). "Donahue Buildup an Example". Chicago Tribune.
- ^"Troy Donahue – Stand for Young/Somebody Loves Me". Discogs.com. Discogs. 1963. Retrieved March 11, 2022.
- ^'Troy Donahue' at Crawleys Casting
- ^Jack Gaver (April 17, 1960). "TV Tips: Balloting to Begin for Emmys". The Washington Post and Times-Herald. p. G18.
- ^Korman, Seymour (June 10, 1961). "Man With the Fans". Chicago Daily Tribune. p. b3.
- ^"Route 66 Begets A Detour Around World's Fair". Chicago Tribune. No. Part 3 Splinter 2 Cook County regional printing. April 28, 1962. p. 48. Retrieved January 11, 2016.
- ^Efron, Edith, “The Perfect Couple – On Screen,” TV Guide, Sept 1, 1962
- ^UP/Rick Du Brow, “Troy Donahue: Archangel of the Screamer Set,” Oct 10, 1962
- ^Clifford, Terry "Troy Donahue Newest Film 'Kid You'" Chicago Tribune (January 8, 1967)
- ^