Trivia

Shortly after Dwight D. Eisenhower was inaugurated in 1953, the new President asked Montgomery to become the White House's television consultant. Montgomery agreed and insisted on taking no pay. Pioneered the concept of the political "image consultant" in the early television era by advising President Eisenhower on how to most effectively present himself to television viewers. Following Richard Nixon's disastrous first televised debate with John F. Kennedy during the 1960 campaign, Eisenhower remarked that he was certain that if Nixon had only let Montgomery coordinate his appearance, Nixon would have performed better, and would have probably won the debate--and the election.

Had three children with his first wife Elizabeth Allen: daughter, Martha Bryan (born October 13, 1930), who died of spinal meningitis at the age of 14 months; daughter, Elizabeth Montgomery; and son, Robert Montgomery Jr..

Before the US was drawn into World War II, Montgomery served in France as an ambulance driver for the American Field Services for six months. During the D-Day invasion he was one of the first to enter Cherbourg harbor and was awarded the Bronze Star for his service.

Was widely considered to be one of the best dressed men in Hollywood and for years did not carry a wallet because it ruined the drape of his suits.

His SAG and other union activities caused a rift between Montgomery and MGM studio head Louis B. Mayer. However, through Montgomery's efforts the criminal activities of union official Willie Morris Bioff of the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) in his efforts to help Chicago gangster Al Capone take over the union were exposed. Bioff and two other union officials ultimately served prison time. Bioff testified against his organized crime bosses and got a reduced sentence. In 1955, Bioff was assassinated in Phoenix, Arizona, when he turned on the ignition in his truck and it exploded -- a car bomb made of dynamite had been attached to the ignition and blew up when the key was turned.

When MGM studio chief Louis B. Mayer refused Montgomery a salary raise he deserved, the actor reportedly replied, "If you were a younger man, Mr. Mayer, I'd give you a beating".

Served on the board of directors of several major corporations in the 1960s, including R.H. Macy and Co. and the Milwaukee Telephone Company.

In 1949 he accepted the Oscar for "Best Actor in a Leading Role" on behalf of Laurence Olivier, who was not present at the awards ceremony.

Appeared with Rosalind Russell in five films: Forsaking All Others (1934), Trouble for Two (1936), Live, Love and Learn (1937), Night Must Fall (1937) and Fast and Loose (1939).

Hosted CBS Radio's "Suspense" for six months in 1948 when the show was expanded from 30 minutes to an hour.

Was in three Oscar Best Picture nominees: The Divorcee (1930), The Big House (1930) and Here Comes Mr. Jordan (1941).

Ex-father-in-law of Gig Young.

He was awarded two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for Motion Pictures at 6440 Hollywood Boulevard; and for Television at 1631 Vine Street.

His daughter Elizabeth Montgomery starred in the long-running TV series "Bewitched," playing the leading role of Samantha Stevens.

Was signed by NBC to be the narrator of the "Victory At Sea" TV series, but when he saw a rough cut of the first episode he told the producer the series wouldn't work and demanded out. NBC obliged him and signed Leonard Graves instead.

Ex-father-in-law of William Asher.

Worked with Myrna Loy in two movies - When Ladies Meet (1933) and Petticoat Fever (1936).

Montgomery was teamed with Joan Crawford in six films: Untamed (1929), Our Blushing Brides (1930), Letty Lynton (1932), Forsaking All Others (1934), No More Ladies (1935), and The Last of Mrs. Cheyney (1937).

Norma Shearer was his romantic interest in five MGM films: Their Own Desire (1929), The Divorcee (1930), Strangers May Kiss (1931), Private Lives (1931), and Riptide (1934).

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume One, 1981-1985, pages 571-573. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1998.

At one point featured in advertisements for Lucky Strike cigarettes.

Grandfather of William Asher Jr., Robert Asher, and Rebecca Asher.

Co-starred with Audrey Totter in two movies, Lady in the Lake (1946) and The Saxon Charm (1948).

Co-starred with Madge Evans in five films: Lovers Courageous (1932), Hell Below (1933), Made on Broadway (1933), Fugitive Lovers (1934) and Piccadilly Jim (1936).

Was the leading man of Ann Harding in two films - When Ladies Meet (1933) and Biography of a Bachelor Girl (1935).

Paired with Dorothy Jordan in two films: Love in the Rough (1930) and Shipmates (1931).