George Montgomery, a former boxing champion at the University of Montana, where he majored in architecture and interior design, decided to pursue a career in boxing more seriously after dropping out a year later. He moved to California to train under the guidance of ex-heavyweight world champion James J. Jeffries. His skills in the ring soon caught the attention of Hollywood studios, and he began working as a stuntman in 1935.
After four years of performing stunts, George was offered a contract at 20th Century Fox in 1939, but he found himself mostly confined to leading roles in B-westerns. It wasn't until his co-starring role in Roxie Hart (1942) opposite Ginger Rogers that he landed a part in a prestige film. He then appeared in Orchestra Wives (1942) alongside Ann Rutherford, playing the love interest, although both actors ultimately played second fiddle to Glenn Miller and His Orchestra.
In 1947, George landed his first significant role as private investigator Philip Marlowe in The Brasher Doubloon (1947),based on the novel by Raymond Chandler. However, his performance was unfavorably compared to Humphrey Bogart's, and the film was deemed "pallid" overall. George struggled to shake off his image as a cowboy actor and went on to star in numerous films, including Belle Starr's Daughter (1948),Dakota Lil (1950),Jack McCall, Desperado (1953),and Masterson of Kansas (1954),at Columbia Pictures and United Artists.
When not fighting outlaws in the Wild West, George appeared in adventure films set in exotic locations, such as Watusi (1959). During the 1960s, he also wrote, directed, and starred in several low-budget wartime films made in the Philippines. At the height of his fame, George was as well-known for his romantic relationships with glamorous stars like Ginger Rogers, Hedy Lamarr, and Dinah Shore as he was for his acting. He married Dinah Shore in 1943.
After retiring from the film industry, George devoted himself to his passions for painting, furniture-making, and sculpting bronze busts, including one of his close friend Ronald Reagan.
