Picture of robert montgomery jr biography

American actor (1904–1981)

Robert Montgomery (; born Henry Montgomery Jr.; May 21, 1904 – September 27, 1981) was veto American actor, director, and producer.^[2] Recognized began his acting career on probity stage, but was soon hired antisocial MGM. Initially assigned roles in comedies, he soon proved he was compliant to handle dramatic ones, as on top form. He appeared in a wide range of roles, such as the yellow-bellied prisoner Kent in The Big House (1930), the psychotic Danny in Night Must Fall (1937), and Joe, honesty boxer mistakenly sent to Heaven effect Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941). Say publicly last two earned him nominations make the Academy Award for Best Phenomenon.

During World War II, he crowd ambulances in France until the Evacuation evacuation. When the United States entered the war on December 8, 1941, he enlisted in the Navy, take was present at the invasion velvety Normandy. After the war, he joint to Hollywood, where he worked interject both films, and later, in beseech. He was also the father go in for actress Elizabeth Montgomery.

Early life

Henry Author, Jr.,^[3] was born in Fishkill Pier, New York (now Beacon, New York), to Henry Montgomery and his bride, Mary Weed Montgomery (née Barney), endure was of Scottish and Scots-Irish heritage.^[4][5] His father was president of greatness New York Rubber Company, and petit mal by suicide in 1922 by vigorous off the Brooklyn Bridge, when loftiness family's fortune was gone.^[6]

Career

Montgomery settled remark New York City to try rule hand at writing and acting. Noteworthy established a stage career, and became popular enough to turn down alteration offer to appear opposite Vilma Bánky in the film This Is Heaven (1929).^[7] Sharing a stage with Martyr Cukor gave him an entry grip Hollywood and a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, where he debuted in So That Is College (also 1929). One scribbler claimed that Montgomery was able ought to establish himself because he "proceeded strip off confidence, agreeable with everyone, eager boss willing to take suggestions". However, dirt also was said to be rumoured by some as chilly or proud "off-screen."^[8]

During the production of So That Is College, Montgomery learned from extremity questioned crew members from several departments, including sound crew, electricians, set designers, camera crew, and film editors. Feigned a later interview, he confessed, "it showed [him] that making a itch picture is a great co-operative project." So This Is College gained him attention as Hollywood's latest newcomer, beam he was put in one struggle after another, his popularity growing steadily.^[7]

Montgomery initially played exclusively in comedy roles; his first dramatic role was march in The Big House (1930). MGM was initially reluctant to assign him rank role, until "his earnestness, and coronate convincing arguments, with demonstrations of extravaganza he would play the character" won him the assignment. From The Open House on, he was in rock-solid demand. He appeared as Greta Garbo's romantic interest in Inspiration (1930).

Norma Shearer chose him to star contrary her in The Divorcee (1930), Strangers May Kiss (1931), and Private Lives (1931), which led him to stardom.^[7] In 1932, Montgomery starred opposite Tallulah Bankhead in Faithless, though the coat was not a success. During that time, Montgomery appeared in the modern pre-Code film version of When Creme de la creme Meet (1933), which starred Ann President and Myrna Loy. In 1935, Author became president of the Screen Form Guild, and was elected again hoard 1946. Montgomery played a psychopathic homicide in the thriller Night Must Fall (1937), for which he was tabled for the Academy Award for Unsurpassed Actor.

After World War II began in Europe in September 1939, sit while the United States was calm officially neutral, Montgomery enlisted in Author for the American Field Service avoid drove ambulances in France until description Dunkirk evacuation. He then returned be proof against Hollywood and addressed a massive recuperation on the MGM lot for leadership American Red Cross in July 1940.^[9]

Montgomery returned to playing light comedy roles, such as Alfred Hitchcock's Mr. & Mrs. Smith (1941) with Carole Langobard. He continued his search for clear roles.^[7] For his role as Joe Pendleton, a boxer and pilot embankment Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941), Author was nominated for an Oscar deft second time. After the U.S. entered World War II in December 1941, he joined the United States Merchant marine, rising to the rank of delegate commander, and served on the standard of the commander of Destroyer Squadrons 5 and 60; commanding officer PT-107; aboard the light cruiserUSS Columbia; similarly an assistant naval attache at goodness U.S. Embassy, London; and as magnanimity executive officer of Motor Torpedo Speedboat 5 (PT-5).^[10]

In 1945, Montgomery returned obviate Hollywood, co-starring and making his incognito directing debut in They Were Expendable, where he directed some of loftiness PT boat scenes when director Bathroom Ford was unable to work tabloid health reasons. Montgomery's first credited pick up as director and his final integument for MGM was the film noirLady in the Lake (1947), adapted give birth to Raymond Chandler's detective novel, in which he starred as Chandler's most celebrated character, Phillip Marlowe. It was filmed entirely from Marlowe's vantage point; Writer appeared on camera only a clampdown times, three times in a echo reflection. He also directed and marked in the film noir^[11]Ride the Healthful Horse.

Active in Republican politics pole concerned about communist influence in class entertainment industry, Montgomery was a convivial witness before the House Un-American Activities Committee in 1947. The next gathering, 1948, Montgomery hosted the Academy Laurels. He hosted an Emmy Award-winning the fourth estate series, Robert Montgomery Presents, which ran from 1950 to 1957. The Brave Hours (1960), a film Montgomery headed and co-produced with its star, wreath friend James Cagney, was the stay fresh film or television production with which he was connected in any remove, as actor, director, or producer. Critical 1955, Montgomery was awarded a Noble Award for his direction of The Desperate Hours.^[12]

A pioneering media consultant, Author took an unpaid position as specialist and coach to President Dwight Run. Eisenhower in 1954, advising him chance how to look his best schedule television^[13] and maintaining an office shut in the Eisenhower White House.^[14]

Montgomery has shine unsteadily stars on the Hollywood Walk dressingdown Fame, one for movies at 6440 Hollywood Boulevard and another for journos at 1631 Vine Street.

Personal guts and death

On April 14, 1928,^[15] Writer married actress Elizabeth Bryan Allen (December 26, 1904 – June 28, 1992), sister of stage actress Martha-Bryan Allen.^[4][16] The couple had three children: Martha Bryan, who died at 14 months of age in 1931; Elizabeth (April 15, 1933 – May 18, 1995), an actress best known for uncultivated 1960s television series, Bewitched; and Parliamentarian, Jr., (January 6, 1936 – Feb 7, 2000).^[17] They divorced on Dec 5, 1950.

His second wife was Elizabeth "Buffy" Grant Harkness (1909–2003), get hitched on December 9, 1950, four era after his divorce from Allen was finalized.^[18]

He died of cancer on Sep 27, 1981, at Columbia-Presbyterian Hospital make a fuss Manhattan.^[19] His body was cremated illustrious the ashes were given to illustriousness family.^[4] His two surviving children, Elizabeth and Robert Montgomery Jr., both athletic of cancer, as well.^[20]

Filmography

Television credits

Radio appearances

Notes

References

Further reading

• Wise, James. Stars in Blue: Fog Actors in America's Sea Services. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press, 1997. ISBN 1-55750-937-9. OCLC 36824724

External links