Troy Donahue was an American actor who was best known for being a sex symbol during the 1950s. He was born on January 27, 1936, as Merle Johnson Jr. to General Motors manager, Merle Johnson, and actress, Edith Johnson. Ever since he was young, Donahue knew that he was destined for acting. However, his parents strongly rejected his ambition and forced him to attend military school. Interestingly enough, while attending the academy, Donahue met the future award-winning director, Francis Ford Coppola.
At only 18 years old, Donahue moved to New York against his parents’ wishes and became an actor. He was introduced to an agent who also managed other rising stars including Rock Hudson. At that point, he was given a stage name and was therefore known as “Troy Donahue.” The young actor got his big break when he starred alongside Sandra Dee in the 1959 romantic film, “A Summer Place.” The film was an instant hit and launched Donahue into international stardom.
In addition to his acting pursuits, Donahue also had a short-lived career as a recording artist. During the peak of his fame, he signed a recording deal with Warner Bros. Records and spawned several hit singles. Although his songs like “Live Young” and “Somebody Loves Me” were catchy and popular, they didn’t break any records. Nonetheless, Donahue’s popularity soared until the 1960s.
Among Hollywood’s history breakout stars, Donahue perhaps had the most troubling career history. From battling addiction to filing bankruptcy, the actor’s personal life was truly a rollercoaster of events. Controversies followed him everywhere, including questions surrounding his sexuality. So, was Troy Donahue gay? Here’s a look at the actor’s personal life.
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Troy Donahue’s Relationships
Throughout his life, Donahue was married four times and it’s no surprise to see why. With his blue eyes, blond hair, and tanned complexion, the actor was a magnet for female fans. He was considered to be one of the biggest heartthrobs of the decade and had millions of admirers around the world. However, the actor didn’t stay a bachelor forever.
In 1964, Donahue broke many hearts when he married actress Suzanne Pleshette. Unfortunately, the marriage only lasted two years and they divorced in 1966. Not only after that, the actor met and married his second wife, Valerie Allen. His second marriage ended in a split as well. Apparently, they broke up after Pleshette filed for divorce and charged him with cruelty.
By 1969, Donahue was on his third marriage with a woman named Alma Sharpe. The relationship proved to be his longest, running its course until 1972. After Sharpe, the actor met his fourth wife, Vicki Taylor. However, it wasn’t Taylor who accompanied Donahue during his later years. At that point, he was living together with another actress, Zheng Cao.
Like any other famous actor, Donahue had his fair share of affairs. He also fathered a child but wasn’t aware of the fact until the 1980s. According to the actor, he only found out about his son when the child was already a teenager. Despite the surprise, Donahue warmly welcomed his son and showed support.
Troy Donahue’s Rise And Fall
Donahue’s decline from stardom started when he portrayed a psychopathic killer in the 1965 film, “My Blood Runs Cold.” This choice was a stark contrast from the typical do-goody roles that he portrayed in movies. Despite his performance, the film performed poorly and was rejected by his fans. Warner Bros. ended his contract and blacklisted him from the industry.
Jack Warner called every studio I used to work for and used his muscle to keep me busted. I was blackballed and everyone in the business knew it. Please print that. I made one film in Europe playing a Victorian astronaut, but no one ever saw it. Then by the time I could get work again, it was too late because my type was already out of fashion.”
Troy Donahue to Chicago Tribune, 1971
Over the following decades, Donahue made several attempts to get back to Hollywood. Unfortunately, after endless minor roles in films and television, the actor never made it back to his former fame. He then started drowning himself in alcohol and substance abuse while living a highly unsustainable lifestyle. Donahue’s funds quickly ran dry and he had to declare bankruptcy. According to Donahue, one of his lowest points was finding himself homeless and sleeping on a bench in Central Park.
It took guts to walk out of Hollywood, but it would have been worse to stay. I had a house, seven black Cadillac convertibles, and two wrecked marriages. I already had my head turned; turning back was easy. It doesn’t matter if I have a beard or a crewcut. People respond to me because I have a human quality. I know I’ll be put down by Hollywood, but I don’t speak to anybody out there anyway… I smoke grass and ride cycles, my lifestyle is casual, but I’m not a dope fiend or a hippie freak. I’ve found strength in Jesus Christ and he’s easier to follow than Zen Buddhism. I’m not strung out. I’m a very reasonable, professional actor.”
Troy Donahue to Chicago Tribune, 1971
Although he finally became sober at the end of his life, Donahue’s bad habits finally caught up to him. On August 30, 2001, Donahue passed away due to a heart attack. He was 65 years old.
Was Troy Donahue Gay?
No, Troy Donahue wasn’t gay. Due to his boyish looks, some people made assumptions that the actor was gay. This wasn’t true and the fact that the actor was married and had a child proved that he was straight. It’s important to note that Donahue also never commented on his sexuality.
Featured Image: “Troy Donahue”, by Frank Bez, licensed under PDM 1.0 DEED