Robert Montgomery Jr. was the son of Hollywood stars Robert Montgomery and Elizabeth Allen, and the younger brother of Bewitched actress Elizabeth Montgomery. He followed his parents’ footsteps and became an actor, appearing in several films and TV shows in the 1950s and 1960s. However, his acting career was cut short by his death from lung cancer in 2000. Here is what we know about his life and death.
Early Life and Career
Robert Montgomery Jr. was born on February 15, 1936, in Los Angeles, California. He was nicknamed Skip by his family and friends. He attended Harvard University, where he studied history and literature. He also served in the U.S. Navy for two years.
He made his film debut in 1958, playing a minor role in Gunsmoke. He then appeared in several movies, such as Say One for Me (1959), A Private’s Affair (1959), College Confidential (1960), and The Gallant Hours (1960). He also guest-starred in various TV shows, such as Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Twilight Zone, and The Virginian.
He was married twice, first to Martha Bryan Smith, with whom he had two children, and then to Linda Deutsch, a journalist. He was also a close friend of John F. Kennedy, whom he met at Harvard.
Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Death
In 1999, Robert Montgomery Jr. was diagnosed with lung cancer. He underwent chemotherapy and radiation treatments, but his condition did not improve. He died on April 28, 2000, at the age of 64, in Tallahassee, Florida, where he had moved to be closer to his daughter.
According to Find a Grave, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered in the Atlantic Ocean. He was survived by his wife, his children, his sister, and his grandchildren.
Legacy and Tributes
Robert Montgomery Jr. was remembered by his family and friends as a kind, generous, and intelligent man, who had a passion for history, literature, and politics. He was also a talented actor, who had a promising career ahead of him.
His sister, Elizabeth Montgomery, who died of colorectal cancer in 1995, had dedicated an episode of Bewitched to him in 1969, titled “Sisters at Heart”. The episode dealt with the issue of racism and featured Robert Montgomery Jr. as a guest star.
His father, Robert Montgomery, who died of cancer in 1981, had been a famous actor and director, who had starred in movies such as Night Must Fall (1937), Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941), and Lady in the Lake (1947). He had also been a political activist and adviser to President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
His mother, Elizabeth Allen, who died of a stroke in 1992, had been a Broadway actress and singer, who had appeared in shows such as The Boys from Syracuse (1938), Panama Hattie (1940), and Pal Joey (1952). She had also been a socialite and a philanthropist.
Robert Montgomery Jr. was a member of a distinguished and influential family, who had left their mark on the entertainment and political fields. His cause of death was a tragic loss for his loved ones and fans. He will always be remembered as a talented and charming actor, who had a bright future ahead of him.
