Troy Donahue was a famous actor and singer in the 1950s and 1960s, known for his good looks and charm.
However, the pressure from his fame and fans weighed heavily on him throughout most of his life.
In the end, his story took an unexpected turn that no one saw coming…
Whenever I hear the song “Summer Place,” I think of Troy Donahue. I remember watching the movie as a kid and thinking he was so handsome!
In the 1950s and 60s, Troy Donahue was seen as the ideal American heartthrob: young, blond, blue-eyed, and very good-looking. He had many young female fans because of his appearance.
Even though Troy was only a Hollywood star for a few years, many people still recognize his name, even if they might not remember him well.
Even though Troy Donahue was famous, he didn’t make much money from his career. His life started to fall apart, and things only began to improve when he reconnected with his teenage son.
Troy was born Merle Johnson in New York City. He was inspired by his mother, who was a stage actress, and wanted to be an actor from a young age. In a 1984 interview with People magazine, he said:
“I always grew up around Broadway and theater people. I remember sitting with Gertrude Lawrence while she read her reviews for ‘The King and I.’”
Troy Donahue went to Columbia University to study journalism, but he kept acting in local theater productions on the side. When he started appearing in movies, he had a new name, an agent, and was working with studio executives.
He said, “At first, they wanted to name me Paris, like the lover of Helen of Troy. But they changed it because there was already a Paris, France, and Paris, Illinois.”
Troy made his film debut in *Man Afraid*. Just two years later, he signed with Warner Bros, who saw his potential.
He recalled, “They asked me to light a cigarette, and when I did, they were so surprised, they fell down.”
In 1959, Troy starred in *A Summer Place*, which made him a big star and a popular teen heartthrob. He often played the good guy alongside a beautiful blonde actress. Despite his fame, he didn’t make much money.
Troy Donahue admitted that he was living like a movie star but not getting paid like one. He said, “I lived way over my head and got into a lot of trouble.”
In the late 1950s, Troy and Sandra Dee were known as a romantic movie couple. Over his life, Troy was married four times: first to Suzanne Pleshette, then to Valerie Allen, Alma Sharpe, and Vicky Taylor. All of these marriages ended in divorce.
As his love life fell apart, Troy began struggling with substance abuse. His unhealthy habits made things worse for his acting career.
By the end of the 1960s, his life was in a mess. He said, “I was loaded all the time. I’d wake up around 6:30 in the morning, take three aspirins with codeine, drink half a pint of vodka, and then do four lines of cocaine.”
Despite his struggles, Troy claimed that his addiction never affected his work. He insisted he was never drunk or impaired while working and that his drinking problems were not caused by his career.
Troy Donahue immediately believed the news when he learned he had a son, Sean. He saw a lot of himself in the boy and was relieved to find they got along well. Sean’s mother did not ask for child support, and they set up visitations so Sean could get to know his father. Donahue had been kept away from Sean earlier because of his struggles with drugs and alcohol.
His addiction problems also affected his career. By this time, he was no longer getting big roles and was working in smaller films like “Cry-Baby,” “Bad Blood,” and “Assault of the Party Nerds.”
In 1998, Donahue mentioned in an interview that he was not worried about his career shift to B-films. He felt his career was nearing its end but still considered himself a talented actor despite the critics.
Sadly, Donahue passed away from a heart attack in 2001 at age 65. By then, he had cleaned up his life and built a strong relationship with his son.
Troy was known for his good looks and charm on screen. Although he faced many struggles, he left behind many memorable performances.
After deciding to age naturally, Sally Field, 76, who was formerly called “ugly,” found joy in becoming a grandmother to 5 children and living in an Ocean-View House.
Sally Field is a well-known actress who has received high appreciation for her excellent television depictions of matriarchal roles. Nevertheless, unexpected surprises that altered both her professional and personal lives dogged her path to success.
Her early professional high point was appearing as a young actress in the comedy TV series “Gidget” from 1965 to 1966.
Sally enjoyed the excitement of filming the program, even if it didn’t last long. It opened up a lot of opportunities for her and helped her become well-known in Hollywood.
Her determination and fortitude had a big impact on her success. Sally’s stepfather contributed to her rough upbringing, but she found comfort and a way out of it all when she tried out for an acting program at Columbia Pictures.
Following her rise to fame, Sally starred in the sitcom “The Flying Nun” from 1967 to 1970 in the role of Sister Bertrille. She became a dramatic performer at Actors Studios, where she honed her acting skills between 1973 and 1975.
Her big break in Hollywood came with the 1976 movie “Sybil,” which attracted the industry’s notice and helped her earn frequent roles.
She played a union organizer in one of her most well-known roles in the 1979 drama picture “Norma Rae,” for which she received an Academy Award nomination.
Sally Field began her acting career while attending Birmingham High School in Van Nuys. Her love for performing has increased as a result of her participation in the theatrical company, and after she graduates, she intends to pursue acting professionally.
It’s interesting to note that she never took the SAT and had no intention of going to college after high school, but fate had other ideas.
As Sally advanced in the entertainment world, she faced a number of difficulties, including two divorces. She had two children with Steven Craig, whom she had married in 1968, prior to their 1975 divorce.
She then dated Burt Reynolds before she married film producer Alan Greisman and had a son, Samuel. Despite her ups and downs in her romantic life, she took charge of her fate and remained committed to her career.
Sally’s acting career took off over the years, and she received an Oscar nomination for her performance as Mary Todd Lincoln in the film “Lincoln.” She gained respect and reputation in the industry by playing a variety of roles in many TV series and movies.
Sally chose to forgo plastic surgery and embrace her natural aging process in order to age gracefully. She was drawn to ladies who aged with grace and retained their natural beauty.
Osteoporosis is a disorder that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures. Sally was diagnosed with it in 2005.
Despite her efforts to maintain a healthy lifestyle, she was diagnosed with osteoporosis and has since struggled from the condition.
After Sally Field became a grandmother to five grandkids, her life expanded. She loved being a grandmother and loved spending priceless time with her beloved grandkids.
Despite a successful six-decade career, Sally Field’s accomplishments remain an inspiration to people in the entertainment industry and beyond. In her lavish beachfront home overlooking the ocean, she relishes sharing intimate moments with her closest companions.
Sally Field has persevered through hardships, conquered enormous barriers, and accepted each stage of life with grace and tenacity.
Her life is a living example of the character of a strong, talented, and compassionate woman who never fails to make an impact on the world.
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