Gary Merrill
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Bibliography
Notes
"I got into acting because of my voice which was pretty deep for a student. So, I got the part as a villain when I was in school. Once I heard the applause, I was hooked!" --Merrill to author Charles P. Mitchell, from "Garry Merrill: A Thinking Man's Actor" in Classic Images, November 1999.
Biography
A rugged, deep-voiced stage actor who made his first film appearances in "This Is the Army" (1943) and "Winged Victory" (1944), Merrill gained attention in a fine turn supporting Gregory Peck in "Twelve O'Clock High" (1949). He came to prominence opposite future wife Bette Davis in a splendid performance as a cynical and hot-tempered but ultimately reasonable stage director in the backstage comedy-drama "All About Eve" (1950). A likable and reliable performer, he went on to play a number of earnest leads and secondary parts, mostly with 20th Century-Fox, through the 1970s. His 1988 autobiography "Bette, Rita and the Rest of My Life" chronicled his turbulent 10-year marriage to Davis (1950-60) and his affair with actor-dancer Rita Hayworth.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1943
Film debut in "This Is the Army"
1944
Appeared in "Winged Victory"
1946
Starred on Broadway in "Born Yesterday" opposite Judy Holliday and Paul Douglas
1949
Returned to films in "Slattery's Hurricane"
1950
Had perhaps best-known role as stage director Bill Sampson in "All About Eve"
1952
Co-starred in "Decision Before Dawn"
1954
Had starring role in "Justice" (NBC)
1964
Appeared as the city editor on the short-lived CBS series "The Reporter"
1966
Cast as the Pentagon Chief of Staff in "Cast a Giant Shadow"
1967
Co-starred in "The Incident"
1972
Played Dr. Gillespie on the syndicated "Young Dr. Kildare"
1973
Had featured role in the acclaimed ABC drama special "Pueblo"
1974
Portrayed Pap Finn in the feature version of "Huckleberry Finn"
1977
Last feature film, "Thieves"
Photo Collections
Videos
Movie Clip
Trailer
Family
Companions
Bibliography
Notes
"I got into acting because of my voice which was pretty deep for a student. So, I got the part as a villain when I was in school. Once I heard the applause, I was hooked!" --Merrill to author Charles P. Mitchell, from "Garry Merrill: A Thinking Man's Actor" in Classic Images, November 1999.