On a somber day in 1966, fans lined up for two hours outside St. James’ Church on Madison Avenue to bid farewell to a Hollywood icon, Montgomery Clift. The church was filled with stunning floral arrangements, including bouquets sent by his close friend, Elizabeth Taylor. At this simple yet heartfelt service in New York City, his family, close companions, and famous faces like Lauren Bacall gathered to honor his memory and offer their final respects.
Decades have passed since Monty's passing, and his life continues to be remembered as one of Hollywood's great tragedies. Losing a four-time Oscar nominee at just 45 years old is heartbreaking, but there's so much more to his story than that. "Here's the thing about Monty," said Jack Larson, who played Jimmy Olsen on The Adventures of Superman. "He wasn't the brooding, tragic figure people imagined. He was a guy who loved to laugh, had a fantastic sense of humor, and was more like Jerry Lewis on screen than the Montgomery Clift everyone thought they knew."
Monty wasn’t the tortured soul his legend often suggests. "Most people think of him as a self-loathing gay man who destroyed his life because of guilt over his sexuality," explains Charles Casillo, author of Elizabeth and Monty: The Untold Story of Their Intimate Friendship. "That's a huge misunderstanding. What Monty hated most was having to hide parts of who he truly was. He didn’t want to live a life of secrets."
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Monty's Early Years: A Privileged Beginning
Edward Montgomery Clift’s childhood was nothing short of luxurious. His mother, Sunny, ensured her children received private tutoring and traveled extensively through Europe. By the age of 13, Monty was fluent in French and German, and though he loved reading, he wasn’t particularly driven in school. Everything changed when his family lost their fortune in the 1929 stock market crash and moved to Florida. It was there that Monty discovered his passion for acting.
A Reluctant Hollywood Star
At just 15, Monty made his Broadway debut. Two years later, Hollywood beckoned, offering him the role of Tom Sawyer. But Monty declined, and over the years, he turned down other major roles, including in East of Eden, On the Waterfront, and Sunset Boulevard. "He didn’t want studios dictating his career," says his nephew Robert Clift, who co-directed the 2018 documentary Making Montgomery Clift. "He was part of the movement breaking away from the old Hollywood system, and he didn’t plan on signing a contract that might force him to live a lie with a so-called 'morality clause.'"
Monty made his film debut as a free agent in 1948 with The Search and Red River, both of which were major successes. "Being worshipped as a leading man while knowing that revealing his true self could cost him everything was a heavy burden," Casillo notes. "So, he had to keep his private life private to survive in that world."
Monty's Relationships: A Life of Love and Acceptance
Though Monty didn’t openly discuss his personal life, he wasn’t ashamed of it either. Raised in an accepting environment, his mother once revealed in a documentary, "Monty was aware of his sexuality early on—probably around 12 or 13." His circle of friends included Elizabeth Taylor, choreographer Jerome Robbins, and actor Roddy McDowall, with whom he shared close bonds. He even had a brief fling with writer Truman Capote while filming in Italy.
Elizabeth Taylor, his co-star in A Place in the Sun, was a crucial part of his life. "In his own way, he fell deeply in love with her," Casillo explains. "He loved women deeply, but his romantic interests were with men. The tension between them created an unfulfilled love that marked both of their lives."
The Turning Point: A Career-Changing Accident
On May 12, 1956, Monty's life took a dramatic turn when he crashed his car on the way home from a dinner party at Elizabeth's house. "That accident really defined the rest of his career," Casillo says. "Not only did he lose his classic good looks, but his struggle with pills and alcohol intensified." Despite his efforts to stay sober, including attending AA meetings with Marlon Brando, Monty's battles with addiction persisted.
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A Quiet Return to Happiness
In the final years of his life, after receiving his fourth Oscar nomination for Judgment at Nuremberg, Monty found some peace in New York with his companion, Lorenzo James. "Lorenzo came into Monty's life when he was at his lowest point," Robert Clift recalls. "He helped Monty rediscover joy. They spent time together watching performances, dining, and enjoying quiet evenings by the fire." It was Lorenzo who found Monty after he suffered a sudden heart attack on July 23, 1966.
Elizabeth Taylor later paid tribute to her beloved friend. "I loved this man," she said. "Our friendship was built on trust, knowing that the secrets we shared would always remain sacred."
