Gig Young and Albert Salmi's tragic lives and deaths

Thanks to MeTV and other television stations that run TV series from the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, baby boomers (those born between 1948 and 1964) are able to enjoy their favorite programs from those eras. Seeing the popular actors from those decades has led to many internet searches to find out what happened to the entertainers in later years. Two familiar faces from the early days of network television are Gig Young and Albert Salmi. You may not recall the names but recognize their characters as you watch reruns. Both men appeared on THE TWILIGHT ZONE as well as other memorable shows.

These talented menentertainef the masses but lived tragic lives, allegedly because of alcohol abuse which many believe led to them to murder their wives and then take their own lives. Fame and fortune did not deter them from the path that led to 4 people dying in such a senseless manner. You can listen to a video related to the actors by clicking on the following link. Please continue reading to find out more detail.

Albert Salmi

Salmi was a stage, film, and television actor who appeared in more than 150 films. His name may not be a household word but those who enjoyed television in the early days know his face. Albert Salmi studied method acting and was best known as a character actor. H got his start in the Broadway production of BUS STOP and was so good in the role that he was offered the chance to play the character in the movie version. Marilyn Monroe herself asked Salmi to just b playing opposite her but he refused because he did not like working in films.

Salmi, like many other entertainers of his day, considered acting on television and in the movies to be inferior to work on the stage. In spite of this attitude, he started out in the films THE BRAVADOS and THE BROTHERS KARAMAZOV both in 1958. He was in the television series LOST IN SPACE, RAWHIDE, HAVE GUN WILL TRAVEL, DANIEL BOONE, THE VIRGINIAN, and GUNSMOKE as well as many more.

Albert Salmi married fellow actress Peggy Ann Garner in 1956 and the couple divorced in 1963. In 1964 he married his second wife Roberta who left him in February of 1990. She filed a restraining order claiming he was an alcoholic, physically abusive and that she feared for her life. She stated that things got so bad that she often left their home to escape the violence. Salmi denied the charges and blamed his wife's emotional issues for their problems.

Just 2 months later on April 23 Albert Salmi and his estranged wife were found dead in her home. She was in the kitchen and he was in an upstairs bedroom and it was determined that he murdered her then took his own life. Roberta's Salmi's fear of being killed by her husband came to pass. This is such a horrific ending for a man who entertained millions on stage, television, and the big screen. It is a travesty when anyone dies because of murder-suicide and especially senseless when alcohol is involved.

A coroner's report indicated that Salmi did not have alcohol or drugs in his system at the time of his death but it's possible he could have been on a dry drunk. This is when an individual displays the mannerisms that are usually seen when alcohol is in their system although it is not. There also were no reports of Salmi showing up for work while under the influence so all the public has to go on is the word of his wife. Salmi's daughter Jennifer Larue stated during an interview that her mother did horrible things to her as a child and that she forgives her father for the murder suicide.

Gig Young

The actor who became famous as Gig Young was born Byron Elsworth Barr on November 4, 1913. He received Academy Awar nominations for the films. THEY SHOOT HORSES DON'T THEY, TEACHERS PET and COME FILL THE CUP. In 1942 he was in the movie THE GAY SISTERS as a character named Gig Young. In reviews, the actor was praised using the name of his character and the Warner Brothers studio decided this should become his professional name.

Young's alcoholism began to cost him big time in his career. He was hired as the Wako Kid in BLAZING SADDLES but passed out from alcohol withdrawals on the first day of shooting. Young was fired and the role was given to Gene Wilder. In 1976 Young was hired to supply the voice of Charlie in the ABC show CHARLIE'S ANGELS and again his drinking got in the way. Gig Young lost this job also and John Forsythe was called in to do the voice.

Young's third wife actress Elizabeth Montgomery coted his alcoholism and also abuse as reasons why she chose to end the marriage. Gig Young married his 5th wife Kim Schmidt on September 27, 1978. Three weeks later, on October 18 the couple were found dead in their home of an apparent murder/suicide. It was later revealed that he was undergoing psychiatric care at the time of his death. A close friend said that Toung’s decline began when he no longer began getting offers for large roles.

In spite of their personal lives and the way they died, Gig Young and Albert Salmi will be fondly remembered for the many roles they played as well as their acting abilities.