Biography for
Gary Merrill More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

2 August 1915, Hartford, Connecticut, USA

Date of Death

5 March 1990, Falmouth, Maine, USA (lung cancer)

Birth Name

Gary Franklin Merrill

Mini Biography

Gary Merrill was born August 2, 1915, in Hartford, Connecticut. He began his career acting in summer stock plays. He married Barbara Leeds, an actress, and then served a brief stint in the army. After the army, he landed in New York, where he was chosen to join the already popular play "Born Yesterday". In 1950 he was cast in the part of Bill Sampson in All About Eve (1950). It would be his first time meeting Bette Davis and they became an instant couple. After their respective divorces, they were married in Mexico. She was 42 and he was 35. During their marriage they adopted two children, Margot and Michael, and after ten years of fighting and financial problems they divorced. Merrill did not marry again, though he was involved with Rita Hayworth for a time. Later in his career Merrill made a lucrative living doing voice-overs for radio and television commercials. In 1988 he published his autobiography, "Bette, Rita, And The Rest Of My Life". He died of lung cancer at the age of 74.

IMDb Mini Biography By: Sheryl Reeder

Spouse

Bette Davis	(28 July 1950 - 6 July 1960) (divorced) 2 children
Barbara Leeds	(14 November 1941 - 28 July 1950) (divorced)

Trivia

Daughter Margot Merrill was named after Bette Davis' character, Margo Channing, in All About Eve (1950).

Adopted daughter Barbara Merrill legally changed her name from Barbara Davis Merrill to Barbara Davis Sherry, to cut any ties from her adopted father.

Two adopted children with Bette Davis: Michael Merrill and Margot Merrill.

Adopted Bette Davis' daughter from a previous marriage, Barbara Davis Sherry.

Born in Connecticut, his family had long had roots in New England, and in fact some of his ancestors arrived on the Mayflower.

Joined the Army Air Force Special Services in 1941.

Was a Bowdoin and Trinity College student.

Personal Quotes

[on Bette Davis] Whatever Bette had chosen to do in life she would have had to be the top or she couldn't have endured it.