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Gary Crosby
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gary Evan Crosby (June 27, 1933 - August 24, 1995) was an American singer and actor who became better known for writing a lacerating memoir of his father, entertainment legend Bing Crosby, than for his own music and acting work. His mother was singer/actress Dixie Lee, Bing Crosby's first wife.
Gary Crosby was born in Los Angeles, California. He graduated from Stanford University but chose to follow in his father's footsteps in the entertainment business. He performed in a harmony singing group with his three brothers, Philip, Lindsay, and Dennis, during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s. They were known as "The Crosby Boys". As an actor, Crosby is perhaps best remembered for his recurring role as Officer Ed Wells on NBC's Adam-12 from 1968-75.
In 1983, Crosby published his autobiography, "Going My Own Way," which revealed the impact of his alcoholism and his difficult childhood as a result of his mother's alcoholism and his father's alleged emotional and physical abuse. Some, especially his brother Philip, claimed the abuse was not as severe as Gary described. However, Lindsay and Dennis confirmed Gary's account (both later committed suicide by gunshot). The book nearly destroyed Bing Crosby's image as an ideal, low-keyed father, an image helped in no small measure by Crosby's famous holiday television specials that usually included family members.
A heavy smoker, Gary Crosby died of lung cancer, in Burbank, California, in 1995 and was interred in the Forest Lawn - Hollywood Hills Cemetery in Los Angeles.His mother Dixie Lee had previously died of ovarian cancer, possibly related to her alcoholism.