In the summer of 1997, the legendary Troy Donahue reunited with Sandra Dee in New York City for a special screening of their iconic 1959 film, A Summer Place. Watching himself on the big screen, Troy was mesmerized. "I kind of said, 'Man, that’s what they were talking about,'" he reminisced. "You forget how it felt to be that young and beautiful. It’s pretty heady stuff." This moment was more than just a trip down memory lane; it was a reflection of a life that soared to stardom, stumbled into darkness, and eventually found peace.
The Early Days: A Privileged Upbringing and a Tragic Loss
Merle Johnson Jr., later known as Troy Donahue, grew up in a world of privilege in New York City. "Central Park was his playground," recalls Michael Gregg Michaud, author of Inventing Troy Donahue: The Making of a Movie Star. Troy's early years were filled with joy and opportunity, but tragedy struck when his father was diagnosed with ALS and passed away in 1947. "He absolutely adored his father. His death was something that he never, ever recovered from," says Michaud. It was during this time that Troy began sneaking sips of liquor, a habit that would later spiral out of control.
A Troubled Adolescence
Troy's idyllic childhood took a turn when he dropped out of high school during his sophomore year. His despairing mother enrolled him at the New York Military Academy, where he met a young Francis Ford Coppola. Troy joked about throwing stones into Coppola's tuba, but beneath the humor lay the struggles of a teenager grappling with loss and identity.
Read also:Is The Sublethal Remote Gun Legal In California Everything You Need To Know
Breaking into Hollywood: Stardom and Struggles
In 1957, at the age of 19, Troy landed in Los Angeles with dreams of becoming an actor. But his drinking habit followed him, leading to dangerous situations. "He was drunk one night and drove off Malibu Canyon Road, nearly killing himself," recounts Michaud. Despite the setbacks, Troy's charm and good looks kept him in the spotlight.
The Breakthrough Role
After a year of small roles at Universal Studios, Troy's career took off when he played a racist brute in the 1959 film Imitation of Life. This powerful performance caught the attention of Hollywood executives, leading to his casting in A Summer Place, a film that catapulted him to stardom. "It was one of the first movies marketed specifically to teenage girls," explains Michaud. "Troy became an overnight sensation."
The Downward Spiral: Drinking, Divorce, and Despair
As Troy's career flourished, his personal life unraveled. "I never had a reputation of being an alcoholic or a drug addict," he admitted. "But it was rare that I ever got in front of a camera without just a little edge taken off." His drinking wasn't just about stage fright; it was about feeling trapped by his image. "He felt very trapped by his image," says Michaud. "That just made the drinking and drug abuse more pronounced." Eventually, Troy walked out of his seven-year contract with two years left, leading to a studio blacklist.
A Life in Shambles
Troy's personal life suffered as well. His marriage to Suzanne Pleshette lasted less than a year, and his second marriage to Valerie Allen survived less than two. Financial troubles followed, and by 1969, Troy fled LA for New York, living in Central Park with just a backpack. "He would go home with fans who recognized him so that he could get a meal or take a bath," says Michaud. It was a far cry from the luxurious life he once knew.
Turning a Corner: Redemption and Renewal
In 1982, shortly after his fourth divorce, Troy sought help for his drinking and substance abuse. "I realized that I was going to die, and I was dying — or, worse than that, I might live the way I was living for the rest of my life," he confessed. Alcoholics Anonymous became his lifeline. "It saved my life," he added. Through AA, Troy also discovered family, reconnecting with a son and daughter he never knew he had. "They accepted him, and he spent time with them when he could," says Michaud. "I think it was a happy time for him."
Love and Legacy
Troy found love again with opera singer Zheng Cao, whom he met on a cruise ship. "They really did fall in love," says Michaud. "She was very, very good for him." In his later years, Troy continued to act, even touring with the musical Bye Bye Birdie. Though he never regained his former fame, Troy found peace. "I don’t pine for the old days," he said in 1998. "I’m really not looking for comebacks, not looking to make my life any better or any different. It’s never been as good as it is now."
Read also:Why Sams Club Cakes Online Are The Ultimate Treat For Every Occasion
