Old Hollywood Stars Who Were Forced to Live a Double Life

Unlike many contract stars, Montgomery Clift resisted Hollywood’s usual publicity machine and became famous through intense performances in Red River, A Place in the Sun, and From Here to Eternity. Even so, his image as a sensitive romantic leading man still required careful public ambiguity.

Clift’s most serious relationships were largely with men, while magazines linked him to women such as close friend Elizabeth Taylor. Paramount even used Taylor as his premiere date for publicity. His sexuality remained unconfirmed publicly during his lifetime, protecting the mystery surrounding his screen appeal.