Montgomery Clift: A Life Beyond The Tragedy

It was a somber day in New York City when fans gathered outside St. James’ Church on Madison Avenue to pay their respects to Montgomery Clift. The actor’s passing left a void in Hollywood that many still feel today. For two hours, admirers waited patiently in line, some clutching bouquets of flowers, to say a final farewell. Inside, the church was adorned with enormous floral arrangements, including a touching tribute from Elizabeth Taylor. At this intimate service, family members, close friends, and Hollywood legends like Lauren Bacall bowed their heads in prayer, honoring the life of a man who left an indelible mark on cinema.

A Star Beyond the Tragedy

Fast forward to today, and Monty's legacy remains one of intrigue and sorrow. His untimely death at the age of 45 in 1966 left fans heartbroken, but it also painted an incomplete picture of the man he truly was. "The thing about Monty was he wasn’t anything like people thought he was," recalled Jack Larson, best known for his role as Jimmy Olsen on The Adventures of Superman. Larson shared how Monty had a zest for life and a sharp sense of humor. "As a person, he was nearer to Jerry Lewis on screen than he was to Montgomery Clift," Larson reminisced, painting a vivid picture of a man who loved to laugh and have fun.

Debunking the Myths

Monty’s life has often been shrouded in myth, but according to Charles Casillo, author of Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship, much of what we think we know is simply not true. "Most people think of him as a self-loathing homosexual who destroyed his life from guilt over being gay. That is a big misconception," Casillo explained in an interview with Closer. The real struggle Monty faced wasn’t about his sexuality but rather the necessity of hiding it. "The thing that Monty did hate was having to conceal parts of his true self," Casillo added, offering a more nuanced understanding of the actor’s inner world.

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Early Life and Discovery

Edward Montgomery Clift’s upbringing was anything but ordinary. Born into a life of privilege, Monty and his siblings were privately tutored and traveled extensively throughout Europe with their mother, Sunny. By the time he was a teenager, Monty was fluent in both French and German and had developed a deep love for reading. However, his academic pursuits left him uninspired. That all changed at the age of 13, when his family relocated to Florida after losing their fortune in the 1929 stock market crash. It was here that Monty discovered his passion for acting, a revelation that would shape the rest of his life.

Monty’s Broadway debut at the tender age of 15 marked the beginning of an illustrious career. Hollywood soon came knocking, offering him the starring role as Tom Sawyer. Yet, Monty turned it down, a decision that set the tone for his career. He was selective about the roles he accepted, rejecting offers for iconic films like East of Eden, On the Waterfront, and Sunset Boulevard. According to his nephew, Robert Clift, a co-director of the 2018 documentary Making Montgomery Clift, Monty wanted to break free from the constraints of the old Hollywood system. "He didn’t want the studios to dictate the kinds of roles he would play," Robert explained, highlighting Monty’s role in reshaping the film industry.

Living Authentically

Monty was also cautious about signing contracts that might include a "morality clause," which could have jeopardized his career due to his sexuality. Instead, he chose to make his first films, The Search and Red River, as a free agent. Both films were huge successes, but the pressure to maintain his public image weighed heavily on him. "It was a terrible burden on him to be worshipped as a leading man all the while knowing that if his true nature were revealed, Hollywood and many of his fans would despise him," Casillo noted. Despite this, Monty’s mother, Sunny, fostered an environment of acceptance. She openly acknowledged her son’s sexuality, stating that Monty had known he was gay since he was about 12 or 13 years old.

Close Relationships and Friendships

Monty’s circle of friends was a testament to his openness and authenticity. Elizabeth Taylor, his co-star in A Place in the Sun, was one of those who knew all his secrets. Others included Jerome Robbins, the renowned choreographer, with whom Monty had a pre-stardom relationship in New York. Actor Roddy McDowall became both a lover and a lifelong friend, while Monty also enjoyed a fling with writer Truman Capote during a shoot in Italy. Close relationships with women, like Elizabeth, were equally important. "He did, in his way, fall in love with her," Casillo said. "He really, truly loved women, but he was only interested in men in bed. The impossibility between them caused the great, unrequited love of both of their lives."

The Turning Point

On May 12, 1956, Monty’s life took a dramatic turn when he lost control of his car on the way home from a dinner party at Elizabeth’s house. This accident not only altered his appearance but also intensified his struggles with addiction. "The accident really was the defining point in his career," Casillo remarked. "He lost his magnificent looks, and his pill taking and alcoholism worsened." Monty had battled alcoholism for years, even attending AA meetings with Marlon Brando, but sobriety eluded him. "Roddy McDowall said all they could really do was hold his hand to the grave," Casillo shared, underscoring the depth of Monty’s self-destructive tendencies.

Final Years and Legacy

Despite the challenges, Monty found a semblance of peace in his final years. After receiving his fourth Oscar nomination for his poignant role in Judgment at Nuremberg, he returned to New York with Lorenzo James. Away from the Hollywood spotlight, Monty rediscovered happiness. "Lorenzo came into the picture when Monty was at his lowest. He got him going again. He still drank, but not as heavily. Lorenzo was one of the reasons," Robert Clift explained. Together, they enjoyed simple pleasures like watching Laurence Olivier in London, sharing meals, and sitting by the fire. Lorenzo was by Monty’s side when he suffered a sudden heart attack on July 23, 1966. Elizabeth Taylor later paid tribute to her dear friend, saying, "I loved this man. Part of our friendship was our trust in each other and knowing that the secrets we shared were sacred."

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