Montgomery Cliff passed away on July 23, 1966, three months away from what would have been his 46th birthday on October 17. Clift's naturalistic performance led to director Fred Zinnemann's being asked, "Where did you find a soldier who can act so well?" He had a twin sister, Ethel and an older brother, Brooks, and his family were comfortably off. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. While at Bryn Mawr, she organized a program to assist displaced refugees to learn English and to qualify for citizenship.In 1943, Ethel moved to Washington, D.C., where she worked for the Interior and State Departments. Monty theorized without a ton of conviction that his drive toward acting may have had to do with competition with his sister (and older brother), neither of whom pursued acting. After a two-month recovery period, Clift returned to the set to finish the film. I'm just trying to be an actor; not a movie star, an actor. [61] Montgomery Clift informed his psychiatrist that he was homosexual and struggling to cope with it. For the next nine years, Clift made nearly as many films after his traumatic car accident as he had previously. [20] Clift proved to be a successful young stage actor working with, among others, Dame May Whitty, Alla Nazimova, Mary Boland, Cornelia Otis Skinner, Fredric March, Tallulah Bankhead, Alfred Lunt, and Lynn Fontanne. Along with Marlon Brando and James Dean, Clift was considered one of the original method actors in Hollywood (though Clift distanced himself from the term); he was one of the first actors to be invited to study in the Actors Studio with Lee Strasberg and Elia Kazan. Following his near fatal car accident, the physical changes to Montgomery Clift quickly developed. The Volunteer Bureau was formed in 1957, after she had interviewed the heads of various agencies, lined up an excellent board and had become active in raising funds for the organization. Monty's twin sister turned 100 two days ago. "[79] Robbins called Clift a "theatrical genius" early on in their affair.[80]. It was ironic his relationship with the bisexual middle-aged Holman would be the principal (and likely the last) heterosexual relationship of his life and only cause him further anguish over his sexuality. Edward Montgomery Clift, often referred to as "Monty," was born on October 17, 1920, to Ethel "Sunny" Anderson and William Clift. 0 cemeteries found in Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA. Try again later. Learn more about managing a memorial . In the mid 1920's his family moved to Chicago and later, in the early 1930's the family settled in New York City. Nothing would ever be the same for him after that. The Volunteer Bureau was well received, and soon began placing over 200 volunteers.Ethel recognized that most foreign students came to UT without knowing anyone in the Austin community, and that some faced language barriers. Clift had a twin sister, Roberta Ethel Clift McGinnis, and older brother, William Brooks Clift, Jr. Education In 1925, William Clift, Montgomery's father, joined a Chicago investment firm and moved his family to Highland Park. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Double the pleasure! William Brooks Clift, Jr. (1919-1986) (Aged 66 Or 67) (Who Had An Illegitimate Son With Actress Kim Stanley And Was Later Married To Political Reporter Eleanor Clift.) Woodbury Blair was the son of Montgomery Blair, after whom his great-grandson received his middle name, and wife Mary Elizabeth Woodbury, daughter of Levi Woodbury (1789-1851), United States Supreme Court, and wife Elizabeth Wendell Clapp. NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images She would often take Monty, his twin sister, Roberta, and older brother, Brooks, on long trips to Europe or spend time at . He was the son of Ethel "Sunny" Anderson (Fogg; 1888-1988) and William Brooks Clift (1886-1964). They were thirteen years old.The kids had a strange upbringing, moving frequently both abroad and in the States and they were privately tutored and well bred as if they had far far more money than they did. They had married in 1914. The film received added media attention due to the rumors that Clift and co-star Elizabeth Taylor were dating in real life. Clift's next role as the drifter George Eastman in A Place in the Sun (1951) is regarded as one of his signature method acting performances. [88], While filming for Vittorio De Sica in Italy, Clift had a romance with Truman Capote. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. He was the son of Ethel "Sunny" Anderson (Fogg; 1888-1988) and William Brooks Clift (1886-1964). That all came to an end one night, when Sinatra reacted with disgust at seeing Clift making advances at one of the other male guests. As a result, Clift's health and physical appearance deteriorated. [55], During this time, Peter Bogdanovich was working at a cinema in New York City when Clift came to see a revival screening of one of his early films I Confess (1953) and decided to show him the guestbook where a cinema patron had written in a film request for "Anything with Montgomery Clift!"[56]. In the James Kirkwood novel "Hit Me with a Rainbow", early on the lead character is told that he resembles Montgomery Clift. - andrew f, "Its an interesting lineup in how bad it is, and yet Im mostly on an island by myself for my love of Bardos cinematography, the only thing I loved about it." [16] Close to a year later, around the time the family moved again, settling in New York City, Clift debuted on Broadway at 14 years old as Harmer Masters in the comedy Fly Away Home which ran from January to July 1935 at the 48th Street Theatre. Soon, though, she was off to Pennsylvania, where she earned a sociology degree from Bryn Mawr College. If you read us daily, please be one. Montgomery Clift's twin sister dies just a few days ago aged 94, imagine if he'd lived as long as that, such a shame. He worked extensively on his character, and was again nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. Montgomery Clift's full name is Edward Montgomery Clift and his nickname is Montgomery Clift. Answer (1 of 4): No, quite the contrary, in fact. She was born first making Monty the youngest of the Clift's three children. Edward Montgomery Clift Early life Montgomery Clift was born 17 Oct 1920, several hours after his twin sister Roberta Ethel "Sister", in Omaha, Douglas County, Nebraska-- the son of William Brooks "Bill" Clift and his wife Ethel "Sunny" Blair. The next year he filmed his first movie role Red River(released later in 1948). Clift looked down on Dean because the boy was his obsessed stalker, just like Brandos. Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). He spent a great portion of his childhood traveling abroad and, upon the dissolution of his parents' wealth, came to settle in New York City. What's the rest of the story? His father was William Clift and his mother was Ethel, nicknamed "Sunny". The song alludes to his car crash and drug abuse, as well as the movies A Place in the Sun, Red River, From Here to Eternity, and The Misfits, before closing with what Rolling Stone magazine describes as "a grudging admiration that becomes unexpectedly and astonishingly moving. He reflects that this has been happening often and surmises is it due to Clift's recent death. A retrospective of the actor's movies, at Film Forum, includes John Huston's haunting "The Misfits" and George Stevens's unsurpassable "A Place in the Sun," co-starring Elizabeth Taylor. Nationality. We're looking for 500 no 390 Subscribers! That's him with his twin sister Roberta above. Girelli, Elisabetta (2013) "Montgomery Clift Queer Star", Wayne University Press. Ethel was born October 16, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska to William B. and Sunny Clift. Clift's body was taken to the city morgue about 2 miles (3.2km) away at 520 First Avenue, and autopsied. His father made a lot of money in banking . Description: Edward Clift (nicknamed 'Monty' his entire life) was born Edward Montgomery Clift on October 17, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta (1920-2014) and eighteen months after his brother Brooks Clift. To hell with it. hosting-22183.tributes.com Ethel McGinnis Obituary - Austin, Texas - Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home North Obituary, funeral and service information for Ethel Clift McGinnis from Austin, Texas. . Monty and Ethel in 1933. Full Real Name. He also talked publicly for the first time about his 1956 car accident, the injuries he received, and its aftereffects on his appearance. Official Sites, Known for playing brooding sensitive characters, Pioneered roles as dark brooding young outcasts later popularized by the likes of. Ivonne - I dimly remember those photos of him and Liz, but they are exceptions, I believe. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Montgomery Clift, in full Edward Montgomery Clift, (born October 17, 1920, Omaha, Neb., U.S.died July 23, 1966, New York, N.Y.), American motion-picture actor noted for the emotional depth and sense of vulnerability he brought to his roles. Most Popular #39655. Try again. [6] His mother was Ethel Fogg "Sunny" Clift (ne Anderson; 18881988). From the time of his Hollywood debut, Montgomery Clift refused to abide by Hollywood tradition by acting in films to cash in on his good looks. Make sure that the file is a photo. (Brando was also from Omaha clearly there was something in the water in the early '20s there that bred hotness. He was linked to actresses Libby Holman[64][65] and Phyllis Thaxter. Thanks for your help! Clift was willing to waive his fee entirely but accepted the supporting part with minimum compensation. Montgomery's ancestry was English, as well as more distant Scottish, Scots-Irish/Northern Irish, Dutch, German, French, Irish, and Welsh. His mother wanted all of her children to be raised as distinguished aristocrats, and as such, little Clift and his siblings received an elite upbringing: private tutors, extensive travel, and language lessons. To view a photo in more detail or edit captions for photos you added, click the photo to open the photo viewer. A Place in the Sun was critically acclaimed; Charlie Chaplin called it "the greatest movie made about America". Suffered from dysentery and colitis for most of his adult life. [96], Clift supported Adlai Stevenson in the 1952 United States presidential election.[97]. aufgerufen ), Gedenkstttenseite fr Montgomery Clift (17 Okt 1920-23 Juli 1966), Gedenksttten-ID bei . Nevertheless, he showed no bitterness and remained one of Clift's loyal friends. That "secret" - that Clift was gay during an impossible era (the 1930s through the 60s) - led many interpreters to conclude that the actor must have led a life riddled with fear and shame. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. However, this changed after Clift's car accident that left his face in a terrible condition. [71], Clift was deeply and intensely involved with Broadway choreographer Jerome Robbins; very few associates were aware of how intimate and emotionally charged the relationship between the pair was. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. There is a problem with your email/password. [22] On May 24, 1944, he was part of the cast of Eugene O'Neill's Ah, Wilderness! Clift also had participated in radio broadcasts early in his career, though, according to one critic, he hated the medium. He had an English, Dutch and Irish ancestry. On January 13, 1963, a few weeks after the initial release of Freud, Clift appeared on the live television discussion program The Hy Gardner Show, where he spoke at length about the release of his current film, his film career, and treatment by the press. He gained excellent theatrical notices and soon piqued the interests of numerous lovelorn actresses; their advances met with awkward conflict. His father made a lot of money in banking but was quite poor during the depression. Look magazine gave him its Achievement Award and called him "the most promising star on the Hollywood horizon. [18][19] He instead continued to flourish onstage and appeared in works by Moss Hart and Cole Porter, Robert Sherwood, Lillian Hellman, Tennessee Williams, and Thornton Wilder, creating the part of Henry in the original production of The Skin of Our Teeth. The schedule for Reflections in a Golden Eye was then set for August 1966, but Clift died in July 1966. He has appeared in six films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: According to writer Michael Munn, Montgomery Clift was picked up by police whilst walking around Hollywood in a stupor. And I told them, "You don't understand; I want to be free to do so.". McDowall starred with Clift in his final picture, The Defector. Along with Marlon Brando and James Dean, he helped delineate a new paradigm for American cinematic heroes. A critical and commercial success, the film was nominated for two Academy Awards.[29]. Always regarding himself primarily as an actor, Clift became exceptionally selective over his film roles. Clift had a fraternal twin sister, Roberta, and a brother, William Brooks Clift Jr, who had an illegitimate son with actress Kim Stanley. All rights reserved. The 2018 documentary Making Montgomery Clift, directed by Robert Clift (his nephew) and Hillary Demmon, offers a nuanced portrait of an actor at ease with his sexuality. He was the son of Ethel "Sunny" Anderson (Fogg; 1888-1988) and William Brooks Clift (1886-1964). He may have lived as openly as possible given 1950s morals, but I . Birthdate: October 17, 1920. After the war, Bob and Ethel moved to Dallas for three years, where Bob practiced law and taught at SMU Law School, while Ethel taught English at SMU. Clift had a twin sister, Ethel, who survived him by 48 years, and a brother, William Brooks Clift, Jr. (1919-1986), who had an illegitimate son with actress Kim Stanley and was later married to political reporter Eleanor Clift. His next four films were The Young Lions (1958), which is the only film featuring both Clift and Marlon Brando, Lonelyhearts (1958), Suddenly, Last Summer (1959) and Elia Kazan's Wild River, released in 1960. Pawe and ukasz Golec, members of Golec uOrkiestra. He spoke so quietly that at times he was practically inaudible. In Italy, most of his early films were dubbed by. Ethel was born October 16, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska to William B. and Sunny Clift. Montgomery Clift was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 17, 1920, hours after his twin sister Roberta (Ethel). Failed to remove flower. He is best remembered for his roles in Howard Hawks's Red River (1948), George Stevens's A Place in the Sun (1951), Fred Zinnemann's From Here to Eternity (1953), Stanley Kramer's Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), and John Huston's The Misfits (1961). During World War II, she helped make many maps, including maps that were later used as the basis for dividing Berlin before that city was occupied by the U.S. and Russia. Year should not be greater than current year. She liked making friends with persons of different cultures and formed the belief that there was great value in understanding and appreciating the views of others. They are adorable! Born in 1920 #17. Both of his siblings were college educated while Monty never went to high school, beginning his professional acting career at 14 on stage. Volunteer, organizer and social activist, Ethel Clift McGinnis, of Austin, died December 7, 2014, at her home. In the end, Dean was bothering Clift so much that he was forc. In a 1957 issue of McCalls magazine, Clift quipped, "My childhood was hobgoblin, my parents traveled a lotThats all I can remember."[15]. Resend Activation Email. Sadly Monty's Clift twin sister Ethel passes away at her home in Austin, TX on December 7th at the ripe age of 94. He died July . They were thirteen years old. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. The adult Monty Clift didn't seem to smile that much Arguably the most beautiful man in movie history. 10-ago-2021 - "Montgomery Clift pas parte de su infancia viajando junto a su familia por Europa, residiendo en Francia y Alemania. By coincidence, she was the twin of Montgomery Clift (Monty), who later became a famous movie actor.When Ethel was growing up, the Clifts lived in many places in the U.S. and Europe. Edward Montgomery Clift (nicknamed 'Monty' his entire life) was born on October 17, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta (1920-2014) and eighteen months after his brother Brooks Clift. [on his arrival in Hollywood] I told them I wanted to choose my scripts and my directors myself. A four-time Oscar nominee who died at 45, Montgomery Clift was a bright young talent, a tabloid fixture, and a posthumous gay icon. We are what we do, not what we say we are. Robin (1949-2012) and Maurice Gibb (1949-2003), members of the Bee Gees. EDWARD MONTGOMERY CLIFT WAS born October 17, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, several hours after his twin sister Roberta. [63], Many of Clift's biographers note his relationships with men and some few women based on friends' accounts and interviews. Edward Montgomery Clift (nicknamed 'Monty' his entire life) was born on October 17, 1920 in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta (1920-2014) and eighteen months after his brother Brooks Clift. There was never a dull moment.But family was not enough for Ethel. The Clift kids weren't Geminis but Libras but all twins are honorary Geminis and all Geminis are honorary twins if you ask us. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. The character has a tattoo of Mr. Clift and Elizabeth Taylor on his shaved head. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. Ethel) (Twin Sister). Born in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta, to a banking family, his mother, Ethel, had been born out of wedlock, and she determined that the children would grow up knowing their true southern aristocratic heritage. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Alerted by friend Kevin McCarthy, who witnessed the collision, Taylor found Clift conscious yet bleeding and swelling rapidly under the shattered dashboard. The actor was notoriously selective over his choice of film roles, preferring the medium of the theatre. His father, William Brooks Clift, was a successful Wall Street stockbroker. [9] Clift had English and Scottish ancestry on his father's side, wealthy relatives who hailed from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Montgomery Clift was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 17, 1920, hours after his twin sister Roberta (Ethel). American actor Montgomery Clift was spectacular on the big screen for his portrayal of sensitive male characters. Too bad he was so tortured by himself. [36], On the evening of May 12, 1956, while filming Raintree County, Clift was involved in a serious car crash after leaving a dinner party hosted by Elizabeth Taylor and her husband, Michael Wilding. [81] She attended the New York premiere of A Place in the Sun in August 1951 as his date. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. For his character's scenes in jail, Clift spent a night in a real state prison. I did not know that Monty had a twin sister. Clift, Robert Anderson and Hillary Demmon (2018). [21] At age 20, he appeared in the Broadway production of There Shall Be No Night, a work which won the 1941 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Monty and the family called her "Ethel" which was their mother's name though there mother went by "Sunny". But his life was also and remains one of the most tragic in Tinseltown history. Failed to report flower. I know they must have been looking for it for days, but they haven't mentioned it to me because they will think I'll get upset. His smashed face was rebuilt, he reconciled with his estranged father, but he continued bedeviled by dependency on drugs and his unrelenting guilt over his homosexuality.With his Hollywood career in an irreversible slide despite giving an occasional riveting performance, such as in Stanley Kramer's Judgment at Nuremberg (1961), Monty returned to New York and tried to slowly develop a somewhat more sensible lifestyle in his brownstone row house on East 61st Street in Manhattan. According to what entertainment historian Ed Stephan has documented on IMDB.com, "Edward Montgomery Clift (nicknamed 'Monty' his entire life) was born on October 17, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta (1920-2014 . It's hard to find much info about Roberta/Ethel but she married in 1945 (Monty attended) at which point Monty was already a star on Broadway collecting fans also bound for immortal fame like Marlon Brando. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Then, she devoted herself to his care until his death, in 1995. [60] According to Clift's brother, Clift was either gay or bisexual. He and actor Kevin McCarthy later wrote a screenplay for a film adaptation that was never made. At 6:30a.m., James woke up and went to wake Clift, but found the bedroom door closed and locked. Clift had a twin sister, Roberta (who later went by . Good dialogue simply isn't enough to explain all the infinite gradations of a character. PART ONE . Montgomery's father was at that time the vice-president of Omaha National Bank. [3] He also executed a rare move by not signing a contract after arriving in Hollywood, only doing so after his first two films were a success. Edward Montgomery Clift. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, just after his twin sister Roberta, to a banking family, his mother, Ethel, had been born out of wedlock, and she determined that the children would grow up knowing their true southern aristocratic heritage. At the age of 13, Clift started acting with a local theatre company. Overall he ended up unhappy with his performance and left early during the film's premiere. There are parts of me all over the hospital. Look, I'm not odd. Actor and good companion Kevin McCarthy - also present - made a statement to the police. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. [57] In preparation for the shooting of this film, Clift accepted the role of James Bower in the French Cold War thriller The Defector, which was filmed in West Germany from February to April 1966. In the mid 1920s his family moved to Chicago and later, in the early 1930s the family settled in New York City. Edward Montgomery Clift (/mntmri/; October 17, 1920 July 23, 1966) was an American actor. Ethel Fogg Anderson. Clift later stated that he could never have finished the film without McDowall's moral support. Montgomery Clift was born in Omaha, Nebraska on October 17, 1920, hours after his twin sister Roberta (Ethel). [4] A documentary titled Making Montgomery Clift was made by his nephew in 2018, to clarify many myths that were created about the actor.[5]. cemeteries found in Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Monty and Ethel in 1933. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. How? [23] In 1949, as part of the promotional campaign for the film The Heiress, he played Heathcliff in the one-hour version of Wuthering Heights for Ford Theatre. Although the results of Clift's plastic surgeries were remarkable for the time, there were noticeable differences in his facial appearance, particularly the left side of his face, which was nearly immobile. What's my mother going to tell strangers anyway? BEST KNOWN FOR: Actor Montgomery Clift starred in films like Red River (1948), A Place in the Sun (1951), . Did you know that legendary actor Montgomery Clift had a twin sister? His other side was mostly hidden and only became widely known after he passed on, thanks to his friend . He shifted his moods erratically, from a brooding pose to a bursting smile. [91][92] He was also involved with Donald Windham and his partner Sandy Campbell. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. The film's success at the box office brought numerous awards for screenwriting and directing, but none for Clift himself. And Jerry said that he just couldn't get it out of his head. By 1950, he was troubled with allergies and colitis (the U.S. Army had rejected him for military service in World War II for chronic diarrhea) and, along with pill problems, he was alcoholic. During the interview, Gardner jokingly mentioned that it is "the first and last appearance on a television interview program for Montgomery Clift". You can always change this later in your Account settings. While his mother, Ethel Fogg 'Sunny' Clift was your typical American homemaker. Ethel gave birth to two children in Dallas, Mary and Campbell. He was only 45. Luckily, she had a charming trio of offspring to help: Clift a twin sister, Ethel, who survived him by 48 years, and an older brother, William Brooks Clift, Jr. (1919-1986), marking Clift out as the only sibling not named after a parent. Paramount Pictures ended up offering him the best of any incoming studio offer (which he accepted): a three-film deal (down from the typical seven-year contract) that came with the freedom to turn down any script and any director, as well as the ability for either himself or the studio to terminate the agreement at any time. Ethel was devoted to Bob and to raising her five children. [44] Marilyn Monroe (in what was to be her last filmed role) was also having emotional and substance abuse problems at the time; she described Clift in a 1961 interview as "the only person I know who is in even worse shape than I am". I thought you might like to see a memorial for Roberta Ethel Clift McGinnis I found on Findagrave.com. 108, 135, Jerome Robbins: Something to Dance About American Masters, Season 23, Episode 1, Somewhere the life of Jerome Robbins by Vaill, Amanda, p. 240, Jerome Robbins: his life, his theater, his dance by Jowitt, Deborah, pp. "[17] Clift spent a short time at the Dalton School in Manhattan but struggled with traditional schooling. Elizabeth Taylor instantly fell hard for her co-star Montgomery Clift . Inside, he found Clift dead: he was undressed, lying in his bed still wearing his eyeglasses and with both fists clenched by his side. . The Clifts, which included Monty's twin sister, Roberta, and a brother, Brooks, settled into a new, more modest life in Sarasota, Florida. Additional comments may not be added to this entry at this time. A los ocho aos tuvo que superar una operacin que le dej una cicatriz en el cuello. We have set your language to Edward Montgomery Clift was born on October 17, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska. For the latter, Clift committed to building strength and endurance, jogging laps around Hollywood High School as well as learning how to imitate playing the bugle and reading sheet music from trumpeter Mannie Klein for the role of middleweight boxer and bugle-playing soldier Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Edward Montgomery Clift was born on October 17, 1920, in Omaha, Nebraska.His father, William Brooks "Bill" Clift (1886-1964), was the vice-president of Omaha National Trust Company. [78], Robbins is said to have conceived the basic plot of West Side Story after Clift shared the idea with him, according to actor Russ Tamblyn. These were extremely unorthodox, risky procedures, and had the effect of involving the audience with him, an exceedingly selfish aim if one thinks only in terms of the play, but a daring and stupendously courageous maneuver when one thinks of the ground he was breaking. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Is the subject of the song "The Right Profile" by the punk rock band, Is the subject of the song "Monty Got a Raw Deal" by the rock band, He had so many health problems on the set of, Always in high demand as an actor, he turned down the role played by. Still, the last half of his 20-year career has been referred to as the "longest suicide in Hollywood history" by acting teacher Robert Lewis because of Clift's subsequent abuse of painkillers and alcohol. An adopted child, his mother Sunny maintained that Clifts true maternal great-grandfathers were the US postmaster-general Montgomery Blair as well as Union commander Robert Anderson, a part of her lineage that was clarified to her (when she came of age) by Dr. Edward Montgomery, the family doctor who delivered her.