Gary Crosby
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Gary Evan Crosby (June 27, 1933 - August 24, 1995) was an American singer and actor, who became far better known for a lacerating memoir of his father, entertainment legend Bing Crosby, than he was ever known for his own music and acting work.
Born in Los Angeles, California, he was born of Bing Crosby's first marriage, to singer/actress Dixie Lee. He graduated from Stanford University but chose to follow in his father's footsteps. He performed in a harmony singing group with his three brothers, 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.
But in 1983, Crosby published his autobiography, "Going My Own Way" in which he recounted his own alcoholism and a difficult upbringing as a result of his mother's alcoholism and his father's alleged emotional and physical abuse. Some, including and especially his brother Philip, claimed the abuse was not as severe as Gary described. However, Lindsay and Dennis both confirmed what Gary wrote, and 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 members of his family.
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.
