Was Troy Donahue Gay: Troy Donahue was a teen heartthrob in the 1950s and 1960s. He starred in films such as “A Summer Place” and “Parrish,” and his good looks and charming personality made him a popular figure with fans. However, Donahue also faced rumors about his sexuality in his later years.
Some people believed that he was gay, but he consistently denied these rumors and asserted that he was not gay. He had four marriages and one son, which further clarified his sexual orientation.
Was Troy Donahue Gay?
Despite his long and controversial career, Troy Donahue faced rumors about his sexuality in his later years. Many believed he was gay, but Troy himself addressed these rumors and asserted that he was not gay. He consistently appeared as a straight man and had four marriages.
His first marriage was to Suzanne Pleshette in January 1964, but they divorced after nine months. A few years later, he married actress Valerie Allen, but they separated after a year.
His third marriage was to his executive secretary, Alma Sharpe, in November 1969, as he felt she could take care of him. However, this marriage ended in 1972. In 1979, he married land developer Vicki Taylor, but this marriage also ended in 1981.
In his final years, Troy was in a long-term relationship with Zheng Cao, but he had no knowledge of his son until he met his former wife, revealing he had a son named Sean. This clarifies that Troy Donahue was not gay and had heterosexual relationships.
Is Troy Donahue Alive?
Unfortunately, Troy Donahue passed away in September 2001. He achieved teen heartthrob status in the 1950s and 1960s. He died in a California hospital after suffering a heart attack.
Despite a successful emergency angioplasty, he experienced another heart attack and underwent bypass surgery, but he did not survive. Even after his death, some fans remained curious about his sexuality and whether he secretly dated men, but it’s confirmed that he was not gay.
Troy Donahue’s Career
Troy’s journey to Hollywood began when director James Sheldon and producer William Asher noticed him in a diner and arranged a screen test, which initially was not successful. However, his career took a turn after an accident when actress Fran Bennett introduced him to Henry Wilson, leading to a name change. He signed with Universal Studios in October 1956, but his early roles were relatively small.
In 1958, he landed a more significant role in “Live Fast, Die Young.” Troy also made appearances in various guest roles, and he mentioned in an interview that these guest roles often surpassed his other roles in terms of quality.
His breakthrough came alongside Sandra Dee in “A Summer Place,” which propelled his career. He continued to gain prominence with films like “Parrish” and became a teen icon. Throughout his career, fans occasionally questioned his sexuality, but it’s clear that Troy Donahue was not gay.
Troy Donahue’s Love Life (Wives & Son)
Troy Donahue had one son named Sean, despite his four marriages. His first marriage was to actress Suzanne Pleshette in Beverly Hills on January 5, 1964. They later adopted a daughter named Janine. His second marriage was to actress Valerie Allen in Dublin on October 21, 1966, but they separated in April 1967, and their divorce was finalized in November of that year.
His third marriage was to his executive secretary, Alma Sharpe, on November 15, 1969, in Roanoke, Virginia. He explained that he married her because he needed someone to take care of him, but this marriage also ended in 1972. His fourth and final marriage was to real estate investor Vicki Taylor in 1979, but it concluded in divorce in 1981.
Troy spent his last years with mezzo-soprano Zheng Cao, with whom he was engaged. In 1969, he fathered a son, Sean, during a casual relationship with a woman in L.A. He only learned about his son 13 years later, which came as a surprise to him. Reports suggest that Sean resembled him closely.
Conclusion
Despite the rumors, there is no evidence to suggest that Troy Donahue was gay. He had a long and successful career in Hollywood, and he was married four times. He also had a son, which further proves that he was not gay. Donahue’s legacy is one of a talented actor and heartthrob who had a lasting impact on popular culture.
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