Montgomery Clifts sexuality finally emerged with the help of two biographers, and before long, the public turned him into a gay icon. Hollywood Icons. After a near-fatal auto accident in 1956 ravaged his perfect face, Clift, now addicted to alcohol, painkillers, and, by some accounts, tormented by his closeted homosexuality, began a downward . While driving, he fell asleep at the wheel and the consequences were utterly gruesome. What happened next has since become the stuff of Hollywood legend. You can also search for this author in Clift's second film role, though it premiered first that same year, was The Search which earned him his first nomination for an Academy Award for Best Actor. As a consequence, he was unable to find film work for four years. But when he climbed into the room, he discovered something absolutely gut-wrenching. But while Clift certainly seemed like a budding Hollywood heartthrob on the outside, in reality, he wasfar from it. [100] Underactive thyroids also raise cholesterol, which might have contributed to his heart disease. In order to get him the part, she had to offer up some kind of insurance, and this time, she put her own salary on the line. For his character's scenes in jail, Clift spent a night in a real state prison. He used inner silence, unusual pauses in his speeches, awkward body movements. Hollywood Stars. He was filming "Raintree County," which also starred Taylor and Lee Marvin. However, one salient fact remains: Clifts ruined face never made it to the papersIn fact, not one photograph of that night exists. [36], On the evening of May 12, 1956, while filming Raintree County, Clift was involved in a serious car crash after leaving a dinner party hosted by Elizabeth Taylor and her husband, Michael Wilding. But when hedid get a hankering for a fun excursion, Clift knew exactly where he wanted to be. New Edition. To Clift, however, he considered his humble home terrific.. Edward Montgomery Clift (nicknamed 'Monty' his entire life) was born on October 17, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta (1920-2014) and eighteen months after his brother Brooks Clift. The New York World-Telegram noticed Clifts "amazing poise and dexterity" while producer Theo Bamberger commended him for what he called a "natural histrionic instinct. After filming wrapped, she tracked him down and spat directly in his face. Clift, presumably an introvert, would have been super frustrated to know his physical look would be a topic for national speculation. Elizabeth Taylor and Katharine Hepburn came to Clifts defense when the director tried to get rid of him. In Clifts eyes, de Havilland imparted nothing of herself into the role. Montgomery Clift muri a los 45 aos por complicaciones de salud debidas a su adiccin al alcohol y a las drogas. (1958) Cinema: The New Pictures, Time [online], 6 January. Clift reunited with Taylor for "Raintree County," a Civil war era romantic drama. Historys most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily. To revisit this article, select My Account, thenView saved stories, Titled Refueling at Albuquerque, New Mexico, in Clifts handwriting. At age 7, aboard a European ship, a boy forced Clift's head underwater in the swimming pool for so long that a gland in his neck burst from his struggle to breathe; he had a long scar from the resulting infection and operation. [33], Clift's first film for Paramount was The Heiress (1949). The information in this article is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. On July 22, 1966, Clift was in his New York City townhouse, located at 217 East 61st Street. Still, the last half of his 20-year career has been referred to as the "longest suicide in Hollywood history" by acting teacher Robert Lewis because of Clift's subsequent abuse of painkillers and alcohol. There are a few versions that detail the aftermath of Clifts accident, but one has all the drama of a motion picture itself. His own life had its tragic aspects (a terrible car accident that damaged his face, indulgence in drink and drugs, and sexual conflicts), but his filmography is worth a second, third, fourth, and fifth look: . Allegedly, Rock Hudson was there to pull Clift from the wreckage and it was Taylor who held the stricken actor in her arms. Author Christopher Isherwood aptly illustrated Montgomery Clifts shocking transformation: Nearly all his good looks are goneHe has a ghastly, shattered expression. But remember, Clift was never one to dwell on his looks, and it must have been frustrating that everyone else cared so much. The next year, Taylor used her status to wrangle an acting part for Clift; she demanded that he be a part ofSuddenly, Last Summer. Before the terrible incident, the star made a significant impact in the entertainment industry. National Board of Review of Motion Pictures, Inc. "Elizabeth Taylor at the 11th Annual GLAAD Media Awards", "TCM Fest: West Side Story's Queer Origins and Other LGBTQ+ Highlights", "Montgomery Clift's Pedigreed Upper East Side Townhouse Could Be Yours", "A Star Is Born Is the Ultimate Hollywood Horror Story, and Lady Gaga Might Be Perfect Casting", "Clift Takes Role in Columbia Film: Will Portray Paul Morel in Adaptation of Lawrence's Novel, 'Sons and Lovers', "The 21st Academy Awards (1949) Nominees and Winners", Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, "The 24th Academy Awards (1952) Nominees and Winners", "The 26th Academy Awards (1954) Nominees and Winners", "The 34th Academy Awards (1962) Nominees and Winners", New York Public Library for the Performing Arts, Montgomery Clift papers, Additions, 19291969, Montgomery Clift: better than Brando, more tragic than Dean, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Montgomery_Clift&oldid=1146618077. A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Clift got his start on Broadway as a teen and, after turning down film roles for nearly a decade, finally accepted a part in 1948's . Dazzling Facts About Elizabeth Taylor, The Queen Of Hollywood, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, Frances Uncrowned Queen, These Eerie Supernatural Experiences Sent A Chill Down Our Spines, These Mortifying Mistakes Make Us Want To Hit Undo, Wild Facts About Howard Hughes, The Most Eccentric Man In Hollywood, These People Shared The Worst Moments Of Their LivesAnd Theyre Utterly Brutal. For the next nine years, Clift made nearly as many films after his traumatic car accident as he had previously. Clift had shown an interest in acting and theatrics as a child living in Switzerland and France but did not take the initiative to go out for a part in a local production until age 13, when his family was forced to downsize and relocate from Chicago to Sarasota, Florida. The two starred in the 1961 film The Misfits; it would be Monroes last picture before her 1962 death. He apparently fell asleep at the wheel of his car while driving and smashed his car into a telephone pole. There was a nonchalance to Clifts attitude in regards to women. Clifts before was a remarkable portrait of movie star beauty that established his image as a screen idol. In 1959, Clift was slammed by film director Joseph Mankiewicz after Taylor noted that the star was still "vulnerable. In 1956 American Film actor Montgomery Clift fell asleep at the wheel. Durham and London: Duke University Press. In 1957 however, he suffered from a terrible car accident and was pulled from the wreck by his friend Eizabeth Taylor.His jawbone and front teeth were smashed, which later affected . He and actor Kevin McCarthy later wrote a screenplay for a film adaptation that was never made. [66][67][68] Clift's longest relationships were with men. Years later, I was using her phone when I made an utterly chilling discovery. [21] At age 20, he appeared in the Broadway production of There Shall Be No Night, a work which won the 1941 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Although hed only been away from Hollywood for four and a half years, the handsome Montgomery Clift looked incrediblyoldand the reason was downright heartbreaking. that benefits the victims. Despite his injury he continued to make movies. My mom never told me how her best friend died. Audiences turned out to see the movie and to catch a glimpse of the before and after versions of Clift on the big screen. Suddenly, Last Summer (1959), Columbia Pictures, The Truth Always Comes Out: Dark Family Secrets Exposed, Entrancing Facts About Madame de Pompadour, France's Most Powerful Mistress, Tragic Facts About Catherine of Aragon, Henry VIIIs First Wife, Tormented Facts About Edvard Munch, The Man Behind The Scream, Shameless Facts About Cleo De Merode, The First Celebrity, Calamitous Facts About Sharon Stone, Hollywoods Unlucky Star, Surprising Facts About Phil Hartman, The Tragic Comedian. [citation needed], Following a 15-minute funeral at St. James' Church on Madison Avenue in Manhattan, which was attended by 150 guests, including Lauren Bacall, Frank Sinatra, and Nancy Walker, Clift was buried in the Friends Quaker Cemetery, Prospect Park, Brooklyn. Overall he ended up unhappy with his performance and left early during the film's premiere. 4 (September): 389 and 867. It was taken in 1936. This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution. Edward Montgomery Clift (/mntmri/; October 17, 1920 July 23, 1966) was an American actor. His leading lady, Olivia de Havilland, disappointed him in every wayand his criticisms were downright brutal. | Actor Montgomery Clift was born October 17, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska. 5, 114, Montgomery Clift: A Biography, Patricia Bosworth, 2012, List of actors with Academy Award nominations, List of actors with two or more Academy Award nominations in acting categories, List of LGBT Academy Award winners and nominees, "Montgomery Clift Dead at 45; Nominated 3 Times for Oscar; Completed Last Movie, 'The Defector,' in June Actor Began Career at Age 13", "Scandals of Classic Hollywood: The Long Suicide of Montgomery Clift", "Making Montgomery Clift: truth behind gay self-loathing myth". This was described as "a power differential that would go on to structure the starstudio relationship for the next 40 years". Determined to make it better, he made some key changesand they made allthe difference. [37] Clift had veered off one of the twisting hairpin turns and smashed into a telephone pole and the surrounding cliffside. Okay, if were being totally honest, Montgomery Clifts reserved lifestyle didnt exactly excite the press; it actually kind of stumped them. He surely wasnt a suave Prince Charming, and yet, on-screen, he was a downright masterpiece. As such, the story that unfolds in Making Montgomery Clift . The crash caused severe damage to his face, and McCarthy noted in a 2018 interview that he thought Clift was dead when he saw the scene. I knew that she was going to take it badly, but I had no idea about the insane lengths she would go to just to get revenge and mess with my life. When The Heiresscame out, Clifts loyal fanatics came with their claws out and wrote vicious letters to Olivia de Havilland for rejecting Clifts character in the film. Sadly the star got involved in a car crash that ruined his face and impacted his life and career. Over the next decade, the burgeoning actor dug his heels in and made a name for himself on the stage. Actor Montgomery Clift, 45, three times nominated for Academy Awards, died early Saturday of a heart attack in his plush East Side townhouse. Soon, Montgomery Clift became almost impossible to work with. The Kafka photograph showed a shy, contemplative face with large dark eyes beautiful in a way; Clift's face, too, had been beautiful, until a nearfatal car accident changed it. Clift (portrayed by Gavin Adams) was a major supporting character in the 2020 feature film As Long As Im Famous, which explored his intimate relationship with a young Sidney Lumet during the summer of 1948. Download preview PDF. In 1929, the Wall Street Crash hit Clifts father like a ton of bricks, and his mothers dreams disappeared in an instant. Clift also had participated in radio broadcasts early in his career, though, according to one critic, he hated the medium. The song alludes to his car crash and drug abuse, as well as the movies A Place in the Sun, Red River, From Here to Eternity, and The Misfits, before closing with what Rolling Stone magazine describes as "a grudging admiration that becomes unexpectedly and astonishingly moving. Anyone you share the following link with will be able to read this content: Sorry, a shareable link is not currently available for this article. After the car accident, Clift only took on a few more movie roles. In 1966, Clifts stalwart friend, Elizabeth Taylor, came to his aid once again and managed to get him a part in Reflections in a Golden Eye. Actor. Clift countersued with the assertion that he struggled to keep up with an overwhelming volume of last-minute script revisions and that an accidental blow to both eyes on set gave him cataracts. Palgrave Macmillan, London. This years theme encouraged guests to dress in honor of Karl Lagerfeld, in support of the late designers storied career in fashion. Naremore discusses Clifts performance in the film as one of a number of cinematic instances where film exploits the decay of celebrity players, making use of the physical evidence of a stars biography and deterioration in its depiction of character and narrative (Naremore 1988: 20). Here are some examples:Scenes filmed before the accident involving Montgomery 'Monty' Clift's character of John Wickliff Shawnessy:-Scene with his parents where his dad tells him he is related to Thomas Carlyle-First time John meets Flash Perkins-Photography scene (first time he meets Susannah)-Drinking scene with Flash Perkins-The race-The scene where John dances with his sister-in-law-The scene where John tells Susannah that he wants the slaves freed after he reads Garwood's speech-John sees his baby son for first time-The scene after Lincoln's inauguration ("You look older John")-The scene where John tells the Professor he is not running for officeScenes filmed after the accident; (They are fairly easy to spot because the whole left side of Clift's face is partly paralyzed despite the camera men's skill at filming as much of the right side of Clift's face as possible):-John's first scene with Nell-Classroom scene when the Professor tells his class the story of the Raintree-All of the exterior swamp scenes-Where John gets Garwood dirty on the carriage-The picnic scene with Susannah, the Professor and Mrs. Gray-Scene where the Professor gets on train-On the riverboat with Susannah-The scene where John visits Susannah's burned down estate-Most of the Civil War battle scenes (though he has a false beard)-John visiting Susannah in the asylum Hollywood's Montgomery Clift, who was highly wanted for his diverse acting skill in the industry, kept the public entertained during his time. London: BFI. It took Clift months to recover from his injuries. 12023, Dance with demons: the life of Jerome Robbins by Lawrence, Greg, p. 127, Jerome Robbins: his life, his theater, his dance by Jowitt, Deborah, pp. news.AmoMama.com does not support or promote any kind of violence, self-harm, or abusive behavior. When I saw him entering his favorite restaurant Musso & Frank Grill, on Hollywood Boulevard, where he'd meet every Wednesday evening Karl Malden, Robert Wise, and a . Maxwell, Elsa (1949) Talk, Dark and Different, Photoplay, Vol. Ad Choices, The elegant Montgomery Clift once reigned as one of Hollywoods most sought-after leading men, best remembered as the star of iconic films *From Here to Eternity *(1953) and, TVs Streaming Bubble Has Burst, a Writers Strike Looms, and Everybody Is Freaking Out, Met Gala 2023 Red Carpet: See All the Fashion, Outfits & Looks. Montgomery Clift. He owed his life to his close friend Taylor, who immediately went to help him when she learned of the incident. Before undertaking any course of treatment please consult with your healthcare provider. However, even with all the negative hubbub surrounding this shoot, it was nothing compared to the darkness of one of Clifts next projects. Clifts lifestyle had the press slotting him in with non-conformists of the dayright alongside hotshots like Marlon Brandobut the actor didnt respond well to being labeled and defined. Contact sheets from LIFE photographer Peter Stackpole's shoot on a Paramount lot with Elizabeth Taylor and Montgomery Clift in 1950. is also about him. He needed a lot of plastic surgery to repair his face, according to the Los Angeles Times. . He summoned a doctor, but it was already too late. Minneapolis and London: University of Minnesota Press. Available at: http://www.time.com/time (accessed 29 June 2010). is for general information purposes only. [12] At age 7, aboard a European ship, a boy forced Clifts head underwater in the swimming pool for so long that a gland in his neck burst from his struggle to breathe; he had a long scar from the resulting infection and operation. But this was only the beginning. Suddenly, the Clift family was completely broke and had no choice to move to New York. The actor died there on July 23, 1966, of an apparent heart attack. In remembering Clift, McCarthy said, his face was torn awaya bloody pulp. - 134.209.105.160. I thought he was dead. He immediately returned to Taylors house to notify the party of the bloody disaster. Montgomery Clift was certainly one of a kind, and when he landed in Hollywood, it became extremely clear that he was going to do things his own way. Something was seriously wrong. He looked about ten years older than the Montgomery Clift audiences remembered and adored. Sensitive, mysterious, brooding, and suspiciously single. Horrified, James immediately called for help, but of course, it was already too late. In: Egan, K., Thomas, S. (eds) Cult Film Stardom. [22] On May 24, 1944, he was part of the cast of Eugene O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness! The cause of death was listed as a heart attack, but a major contributing factor was the cumulative effect of pain killers and liquor. On the morning of July 23, 1966, Montgomery Clift's housemate couldn't wake the actor. On 12 May 1956, during production, Montgomery Clift's face was disfigured after a near-fatal car accident. Throughout filming, members of the crew came up with code words to alert everyone about the lead actors level of intoxication. Robert's World. 3. She was so incensed by director Joseph Mankiewiczs poor treatment of Clift that she is said to have spat at him. We also encourage everyone to report any crime incident they witness as soon as possible. And the cherry on top? [40][41] In a filmed interview years later in 1963, Clift described his injuries in detail, including how his broken nose could be snapped back into place. However, the filming of The Misfits had a shadow lurking over it. This is what happened that night. [10][11] She spent the rest of her life trying to gain the recognition of her alleged relations. Montgomery Clift had passed due to a heart attack, but many assumed that his addictions and various health problems contributed to his early death. 2023 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. 108, 135, Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About American Masters, Season 23, Episode 1, Somewhere the life of Jerome Robbins by Vaill, Amanda, p. 240, Jerome Robbins: his life, his theater, his dance by Jowitt, Deborah, pp. Over two decades of friendship they made, separately and together, some of the era's defining movies-including Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, The Misfits, Suddenly, Last Summer, and Cleopatra. Some sources have the crash occurring when Clift was leaving the event, while others state he was on his way there. He spoke so quietly that at times he was practically inaudible. He used them to numb his physical pain. Grasping at straws, the media decided to do what little they could to sensationalize the actors non-existent, One of Clifts closest friends was a woman named Myra Letts, and for the ruthless gossip columns, it wasnt a huge leap from friend to girlfriend. Clift didnt entertain this for a second and shot the sordid speculations down immediately, saying that there was zero intimacy between them: those romantic rumors are embarrassing to both of us.. He is best remembered for his roles in Howard Hawks's Red River (1948), George Stevens's A Place in the Sun (1951), Fred Zinnemann's From Here to Eternity (1953), Stanley Kramer's Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), and John Huston's The Misfits (1961). He could barely remember his lines and often didnt show up to set. It is commonly believed that drug addiction was responsible for Clift's many health problems and his death. At the age of 25, Clift made the leap to Hollywoodbut he was a rebel right from the get-go. A policeman examines the wreckage of actor Montgomery Clift's car after it crashed into a power pole following a dinner party at the home of Michael Wilding and Elizabeth Taylor. He was only 12 years old when he appeared in a production of "As Husbands Go" in Sarasota. Hollywood began to see him as hostile and messy and frugal, and Clift wasnt having it. Clifts undated images depict a more mature Loy, with whom he starred in the 1958 film Lonelyhearts. Jared Leto, Doja Cat and More Pay Homage to Choupette, Karl Lagerfelds Cat and Heir, at the Met Gala 2023. After leaving a party organized by co-star Elizabeth Taylor in May 1956, Clift raced along a steep road before crashing. (1936), Clift with a sultry Marilyn Monroe in a souvenir photograph taken at San Franciscos Fairmont Hotel, which once boasted a variety of alluringly named nightspots, including the Venetian Room, the Squire Room, and the Tonga Room. He naturally gravitated to the theater. Se encontraba en su apartamento de la calle 61, situado en el Upper East Side neoyorquino (conocido como el Brownstone).Supuestamente, su asistente le oy decir sus ltimas palabras cuando lo llam para que saliese de su habitacin, preguntndole si quiz le . The crash caused severe damage to his face, and McCarthy noted in a 2018 interview that he thought Clift was dead when he saw the scene. Montgomery Clift is known for his remarkable diversity onset and great looks. Digging beneath Clift's image as a brooding Method actor, Denny suggests the man's offscreen conflicts: his self-destructive smoking and hard drinking and his rage against critics . Why not have a musical about Romeo and Juliet but make it with gangs in New York?' [23] In 1949, as part of the promotional campaign for the film The Heiress, he played Heathcliff in the one-hour version of Wuthering Heights for Ford Theatre. Montgomery Clift. Meeting veteran stage and screen actor Kevin McCarthy in a Hollywood restaurant was a thrilling experience. Whatever the case may be, Montgomery Clifts life was unbelievably impressive and distressing. Luckily, over time, they clawed their way back to financial security. And even more shocking? An inside look at the actors secretive love life. War . In addition to lingering effects of dysentery and chronic colitis, an underactive thyroid was later revealed during the autopsy. Once dubbed the Queen of the Movies, the golden-haired Myrna Loy was one of the few stars who successfully transitioned out of the silent-film era into talkies. She went on to become one of the film industrys most adored and highest-paid leading ladies. He and his co-star Olivia de Havilland made an appealing couple in this film adaptation of a Henry James novel. Though all dazzling gowns have to start somewhere, be it on a sketch pad or in the corners of an inspired mind, only a handful have what it takes to make it onto our best-dressed list. [49][50] On a taped phone call, Clift said that he played the character in a way that "holds onto himself, in spite of himself" with dignity.[51]. Clifts teacher, Robert Lewis, called his gradual decline the longest suicide in Hollywood history. Although he had problems before filmingRaintree County, Clifts drinking was more pronounced than ever. [26] By this time, Clift had developed what would come to be regarded as his signature acting style and biggest impact on the future of modern film acting, as told by biographer Robert LaGuardia: He managed to convince the audience that he was unmitigated male sexuality without making a vulgar display of himself, as most other actors of his age and type would have. Where were these so-called women? Well, at the very heart of it all, Montgomery Clift hid a dangerous secretone that wouldnt emerge untilyears later. Determined to keep his gayness under wraps, Clift made sure that his masculine facade shone onscreen. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves. Following his fateful car accident, Montgomery Clift didn't just look different, his broken handsomeness now lending him an everyman quality; with the left side of his face left 'frozen' due to nerve damage, Clift compensated by becoming a performer reliant on gesture and expression through the eyes. The intense physical and psychological pain he . [87] It is said that McDowall took the breakup with Clift hard. A bulls horn scarred his nose and his attempt to tame a horse gave him intense rope burnnot to mention all the other scrapes he earned along the way. Realizing that Clift was in mortal danger, McCarthy raced to the scene of the accident. A Place in the Sun (1951) Passed | 122 min | Drama, Romance. news.AmoMama.com does not take responsibility for any action taken as a result of reading this article. Fed up with the script, Clift desperately wanted to change her lines, saying, She isnt giving me enough to respond [to]. Of course, poor de Havilland soon had more than just her prickly love interest to contend with. The film received added media attention due to the rumors that Clift and co-star Elizabeth Taylor were dating in real life.

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