Photo: Talbot photography / Public domain (source: Wikimedia Commons)
My Take
Gig Young is one of those actors whose range only becomes obvious in hindsight. Born Byron Barr in St. Cloud, Minnesota, he spent decades playing the urbane, light-hearted sophisticate, the charming friend in the corner of the frame. Then came They Shoot Horses, Don't They? in 1969, where he shed every ounce of that levity for a hollow, predatory emcee and won the Supporting Actor Oscar. That pivot tells me he had far more depth than his typecasting allowed. Knowing the darkness in his real life, ending tragically in 1978, makes that performance land even harder. The gap between his public ease and private pain gives his best work a chilling authenticity.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Gig Young
- Name (Japanese)
- ギグ・ヤング
- Reading
- ぎぐ・やんぐ
- Born
- November 4, 1913 – October 19, 1978
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Scorpio / Ox
- Origin
- St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States
- Blood type
- Private
- Height
- Private
- Agency
- Private
- Occupation
- actor / screenwriter / stage actor / television actor / film actor
2. Background
- Elementary school
- Private
- Junior high
- Private
- High school
- McKinley Technology High School
- University
- Private
Awards & achievements
- 1970 Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
- star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
3. Relationships
- Spouse
- Private
- Children
- Private
- Parents
- Private
- Siblings
- Private
4. Personality
Motto
Private
6. Links
Frequently asked questions
When was Gig Young born?
November 4, 1913 – October 19, 1978.
Where is Gig Young from?
Gig Young is from St. Cloud, Minnesota, United States.
What does Gig Young do?
Gig Young works as actor, screenwriter, stage actor, television actor, film actor.
Actor — see all → · Screenwriter — see all → · More people from United States →
7. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-17
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public items are marked "Private / Unknown". English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.