Gig Young- Biography

Also Credited As:

Bryant Fleming, Byron Barr, Byron Elsworth Barr

About Gig Young

Young appeared in several bit parts under his given name, Byron Barr, and the pseudonym, Bryant Fleming, before adopting the name of his character in the 1942 feature, "The Gay Sisters". While he proved capable in several dramatic parts (notably as the sleazy emcee in the haunting "They Shoot Horses, Don't They?" which brought him a Best Supporting Actor Oscar), Young seemed destined to play debonair cads and slightly inebriated playboys who never win the female lead in the end in sophisticated light comedies such as "Desk Set" (1957), "Teacher's Pet" (1958) and "That Touch of Mink" (1962). Young's third and fifth wives were actresses Elizabeth Montgomery and Kim Schmidt; he allegedly shot the latter three weeks into the marriage before turning the gun on himself.

Partners

Wife

Elaine Whitman. Married in 1963; divorced in 1966; gave birth to a daughter Jennifer, but Young was later suspicious that child wasn't his and rejected her; he left her $10 in his will

Wife

Elizabeth Montgomery. Married 1956; divorced 1963

Wife

Kim Schmidt. Born c. 1947; German; married September 1978; wed for only three weeks; allegedly shot to death by Young October 19, 1978

Wife

Shelia Stapler. Married 1940; divorced 1947

Wife

Sophie Rosenstein. Married 1950 until her death in 1952

Family

Daughter

Jennifer Young. Gig Young filed a non-paternity suit claiming he wasn't her father; left her $10 in his will

Education

Pasadena Playhouse, Pasadena , California

Career Milestones

1975

Last films included "The Hindenburg" and "The Killer Elite"; appeared in the Bruce Lee film "Game of Death" which was shot mostly in 1973 but held up until 1979 because star Bruce Lee died during its making

1958

Received a second Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the comedy, "Teacher's Pet", starring Clark Gable and Doris Day

1951

Received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his work in drama about alcoholism, "Come Fill the Cup", starring James Cagney

Served in WWII

1942

First featured film role in "The Gay Sisters"; played character named "Gig Young" and subsequently adopted the name for himself

1941

Signed by Warner Bros.