The Making of a Matinee Idol & Icons of Hollywood's Golden Age (Michael Gregg Michaud on Troy Donahue
When TVs entered living rooms and Cinerama lit up movie screens, teens went nuts for Troy Donahue. Born Merle Johnson Jr. he was discovered at The Golden Pheasant restaurant in Calabasas by bigwigs, William Asher and James Sheldon. Signed to Rock Hudson’s manager Henry Wilson, Troy won the role of Johnny in A Summer Place and was a teen idol by the morning after opening night.
A screen dream, Troy’s reality was a nightmare. Author Michael Gregg Michaud has written books about Sal Mineo, Mae West, Marlene Dietrich and Diane Mcbain. Michael joins us to discuss his biography, Inventing Troy…
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