Gary Merrill, born on August 2, 1915, in Hartford, Connecticut, embarked on a remarkable acting career, commencing with summer stock plays. He tied the knot with actress Barbara Leeds, only to serve a brief stint in the army, following which he relocated to New York City, where he was handpicked to join the esteemed play "Born Yesterday". In 1950, he landed the pivotal role of Bill Sampson in the iconic film "All About Eve", marking his first encounter with the legendary Bette Davis, with whom he instantly formed a romantic connection.
After their respective divorces, they exchanged vows in Mexico, with Davis being 42 and Merrill 35 at the time. The couple adopted two children, Margot and Michael, but their marriage ultimately succumbed to a decade of fighting and financial woes, culminating in their divorce. Despite his subsequent relationship with Rita Hayworth, Merrill did not remarry.
Later in his career, Merrill leveraged his distinctive voice to generate a lucrative income through voice-overs for radio and television commercials. In 1988, he published his autobiography, "Bette, Rita, And The Rest Of My Life", offering a candid glimpse into his remarkable life. Gary Merrill passed away at the age of 74, succumbing to lung cancer.
