George Montgomery
| George Montgomery | ||
 1940s photo | ||
| Background information | ||
| Born as: | George Montgomery Letz | |
| Born | Aug 27, 1916 Brady, Montana, U.S. | |
| Died | Dec 12, 2000 - age 83 Rancho Mirage, California, U.S. | |
| Alma Mater: | University of Montana | |
| Spouse(s): | Dinah Shore (1943 - 1963) divorced | |
| Children: | 2 | |
| Occupation: | Actor | |
| Years active | 1935–1985 | |
George Montgomery (born George Montgomery Letz; ✦August 27, 1916 – †December 12, 2000) was an American actor, best known for his work in Western films and television. He was also a painter, director, Film producer, writer, sculptor, furniture craftsman, and a stunt man.
He was a boyfriend of Hedy Lamarr.
Early years
Montgomery was born George Montgomery Letz in 1916, the youngest of 15 children of German immigrant parents, from Mykolaiv in southern Ukraine. He was born in Brady, in Pondera County, northern Montana, near Great Falls. He was reared on a large ranch, where he learned to ride horses and work cattle as a part of daily life.
Letz boxed as a heavyweight for a short while before enrolling at the University of Montana in Missoula. He was active in school athletics and majored in interior design, but he left after one year.
Career
- Wikipedia article: George Montgomery Career
Other interests
As a boy, George Montgomery had become an excellent wood craftsman. As an adult, he began building furniture, first for himself and then for a few friends. His skill was such that his hobby became a full-fledged cabinet-making business, in which he employed as many as 20 craftsmen.
Montgomery oversaw the furniture business for more than 40 years, and expanded his interest to house design. He became involved with the building of 11 homes for friends and family. His artistic instincts included learning how to sculpt in bronze. Self-taught, he sculpted upwards of 50 bronze sculptures of subjects such as John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Gene Autry, Randolph Scott, and Ronald Reagan. He received renown in particular for a sculpture he did of Custer's Last Stand.
His sculpture of his former wife, Dinah Shore, and their children is displayed at the Mission Hills Country Club in Rancho Mirage, California.
In 1981, he published a book "The Years of George Montgomery".
Personal life
Montgomery was briefly engaged to Hedy Lamarr.
Montgomery and singer Dinah Shore married on December 5, 1943. They had one child, Melissa Ann "Missy" Montgomery (born in 1948). George and Dinah also adopted a son, John "Jody" David Montgomery, in 1954. They divorced in 1963. Missy Montgomery also became an actress.[citation needed]
In 1963, Montgomery's private life made headlines when his housekeeper was charged with a failed attempt to kill him. Allegedly suffering from a fanatical attraction to her employer, the woman planned to shoot Montgomery, then commit suicide.
Montgomery died at home on December 12, 2000, aged 84. After cremation, Montgomery's ashes were divided and interred at Forest Lawn Cemetery (Cathedral City) near his Palm Springs home and at the Highland Cemetery in Great Falls, Montana, near his birthplace.
Legacy
For his contribution to the television industry, George Montgomery has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6301 Hollywood Blvd. In 1995, a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars was dedicated in his honor. He is also honored with a statue in the square of Plentywood, Montana.
Filmography
- Wikipedia article: George Montgomery Filmography
George Montgomery is included on the list of actors in western films
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Note: George Montgomery was a volunteer at the Hollywood Canteen |
External links
- More information is available at [ Wikipedia:George_Montgomery ]
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