Gig Young
American actor
Cite this page
“Gig Young.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/gig-young/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.
Gig Young. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 27, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/gig-young/
“Gig Young.” thisDay. Accessed October 27, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/gig-young/.
Who was Gig Young?
Gig Young (born Byron Elsworth Barr; November 4, 1913 – October 19, 1978) was an American actor. Born Byron Elsworth Barr in St. Cloud, Minnesota, he and his older siblings were raised by his parents, John and Emma Barr, in Washington, D.C., where his father was a reformatory chef. He attended McKinley High School, where he developed his first love of acting appearing in school plays. (1969), with two previous nominations for Come Fill the Cup (1952) and Teacher's Pet (1959). Young's career was hampered by a troubled personal life. Dissatisfied with the quality of roles, his worsening alcoholism caused him to lose several high-profile parts, severely hurting his career prospects. In 1978, Young murdered his 31-year-old wife three weeks after their wedding before turning the gun on himself and committing suicide at the age of 64.
Historical significance
He was active in film, television, and theater from the late 1930s through the 1970s, and was initially known for his portrayals of characters with "light-hearted sophistication." He won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
Cite this page
“Gig Young.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/gig-young/. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.
Gig Young. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 27, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/gig-young/
“Gig Young.” thisDay. Accessed October 27, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/gig-young/.