Troy Donahue was a famous actor and singer in the 1950s and 1960s, known for his good looks and charm.
However, the pressure from his fame and fans weighed heavily on him throughout most of his life.
In the end, his story took an unexpected turn that no one saw coming…
Whenever I hear the song “Summer Place,” I think of Troy Donahue. I remember watching the movie as a kid and thinking he was so handsome!
In the 1950s and 60s, Troy Donahue was seen as the ideal American heartthrob: young, blond, blue-eyed, and very good-looking. He had many young female fans because of his appearance.
Even though Troy was only a Hollywood star for a few years, many people still recognize his name, even if they might not remember him well.
Even though Troy Donahue was famous, he didn’t make much money from his career. His life started to fall apart, and things only began to improve when he reconnected with his teenage son.
Troy was born Merle Johnson in New York City. He was inspired by his mother, who was a stage actress, and wanted to be an actor from a young age. In a 1984 interview with People magazine, he said:
“I always grew up around Broadway and theater people. I remember sitting with Gertrude Lawrence while she read her reviews for ‘The King and I.’”
Troy Donahue went to Columbia University to study journalism, but he kept acting in local theater productions on the side. When he started appearing in movies, he had a new name, an agent, and was working with studio executives.
He said, “At first, they wanted to name me Paris, like the lover of Helen of Troy. But they changed it because there was already a Paris, France, and Paris, Illinois.”
Troy made his film debut in *Man Afraid*. Just two years later, he signed with Warner Bros, who saw his potential.
He recalled, “They asked me to light a cigarette, and when I did, they were so surprised, they fell down.”
In 1959, Troy starred in *A Summer Place*, which made him a big star and a popular teen heartthrob. He often played the good guy alongside a beautiful blonde actress. Despite his fame, he didn’t make much money.
Troy Donahue admitted that he was living like a movie star but not getting paid like one. He said, “I lived way over my head and got into a lot of trouble.”
In the late 1950s, Troy and Sandra Dee were known as a romantic movie couple. Over his life, Troy was married four times: first to Suzanne Pleshette, then to Valerie Allen, Alma Sharpe, and Vicky Taylor. All of these marriages ended in divorce.
As his love life fell apart, Troy began struggling with substance abuse. His unhealthy habits made things worse for his acting career.
By the end of the 1960s, his life was in a mess. He said, “I was loaded all the time. I’d wake up around 6:30 in the morning, take three aspirins with codeine, drink half a pint of vodka, and then do four lines of cocaine.”
Despite his struggles, Troy claimed that his addiction never affected his work. He insisted he was never drunk or impaired while working and that his drinking problems were not caused by his career.
Troy Donahue immediately believed the news when he learned he had a son, Sean. He saw a lot of himself in the boy and was relieved to find they got along well. Sean’s mother did not ask for child support, and they set up visitations so Sean could get to know his father. Donahue had been kept away from Sean earlier because of his struggles with drugs and alcohol.
His addiction problems also affected his career. By this time, he was no longer getting big roles and was working in smaller films like “Cry-Baby,” “Bad Blood,” and “Assault of the Party Nerds.”
In 1998, Donahue mentioned in an interview that he was not worried about his career shift to B-films. He felt his career was nearing its end but still considered himself a talented actor despite the critics.
Sadly, Donahue passed away from a heart attack in 2001 at age 65. By then, he had cleaned up his life and built a strong relationship with his son.
Troy was known for his good looks and charm on screen. Although he faced many struggles, he left behind many memorable performances.
Snoop Dogg’s Heartfelt Tribute: Remembering His Beloved Grandkid Through Their 7 Cherished
Snoop Dogg is famous for his music, but his role as a grandfather shows a different side of him, one filled with joy, loss, and deep love for his family.
Born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., Snoop Dogg has created a career that goes beyond just music; he is also a committed family man. He has been married to Shante Broadus since 1997 and is a father to four children: Corde, 30; Cordell, 27; Cori, 25; and Julian, 26, from a previous relationship.
Over the years, Snoop’s family has expanded, and he is now a proud grandfather, with each grandchild holding a special place in his heart. He is particularly devoted to keeping the memory of one grandchild who passed away alive, ensuring that their legacy continues in the family.
In 2007, Snoop shared his family values while promoting his reality show, “Snoop Dogg’s Father Hood,” which aimed to show the less visible side of hip-hop artists as family men.
Speaking to “People,” Snoop said, “I have kids, and I always play my music for them. I like to know what they like. They think I’m old, but I feel young.”
Looking back on his journey as a father, he said, “Ninety percent of rappers grew up without fathers, but most of them become fathers to their kids. We don’t often get credit for that. We become real men when we reach this point in our lives.”
The coach for Season 26 of “The Voice” has stayed actively involved with his family as it has grown. In a 2015 interview with “Today,” he humbly rated himself as “about a 7-plus” as a father, noting areas where he wants to improve.
“My relationship with my kids is more important than anything. It’s a friendship… it’s based on me being a father, a mentor, and a friend,” he said.
When asked about being a grandfather, Snoop said he planned to be a lenient one, describing himself as a “gullible, get-away-with-everything kind of grandpa.”
Recalling his first experience as a grandparent, he shared, “It’s just a spark of joy to look into his eyes and hold him. I thank my oldest son for making me a grandfather.”
Snoop Dogg’s extended family is a big part of his life. In January 2024, he talked about his grandkids on “The Jennifer Hudson Show,” explaining how each grandchild calls him “Papa Snoop.” This name comes from a nickname his oldest grandson gave him when he was little.
Snoop said, “[My grandkids are] different ages and sizes, but I love them all the same. Actually, my oldest [grandson’s] birthday is today, so I’m on my way to his birthday party.”
He remembered how his oldest grandchild first called him “Papa Noop” because he couldn’t say “Snoop” properly at first.
After his family grew, Snoop faced the tragic loss of one grandchild, which has deeply affected him and his family.
In September 2019, Snoop’s grandson, Kai Love, passed away just 10 days after birth. Snoop shared a heartfelt message on social media, reposting a note that read, “If you’re facing something you don’t understand: Choose to trust God. Remember all He has done for you. His ways are higher than ours. He is always good.”
The post showed Snoop’s faith during his family’s sorrow and received many supportive comments from followers.
One user wrote, “I’m so sorry for your loss. Children are precious gifts from God, but sometimes he takes them back… sweet little Kai RIP… God bless and comfort all who love him….” Another added, “Sorry for your [loss]. God Bless=.” A third user said, “Prayers for you and your family.”
Kai’s parents, Snoop’s son Corde Broadus and his wife, Soraya Love, were heartbroken by the loss. On what would have been Kai’s fourth birthday, Soraya posted a touching tribute on Instagram, sharing her grief and newfound purpose.
“Happy heavenly birthday to my 1st son Kai Love who passed away on 9-15-2019,” she wrote, explaining the pain of losing a child due to a heart defect. Soraya added, “…I know God used this painful time in our lives to help me reach out to others in need of faith and self-awareness.”
Soraya’s post also described how losing her son motivated her to lead a life dedicated to wellness, spirituality, and supporting the community.
Kai’s legacy inspired Corde and Soraya to start the “Kai Heart Foundation,” which aims to spread love and healing through community support.
In a March 2024 post, Soraya shared, “We would love to partner with organizations that help heal, educate, and assist people with LOVE. This is our purpose, and we want to keep giving back to the community.”
In December 2022, Soraya explained, “I started the Kai Heart Foundation in 2019 after my son Kai passed away from a heart defect. He inspired me to help others through acts of LOVE and a healthy lifestyle.”
She expressed gratitude for the guidance she felt from Kai and her faith, inviting support from the community. “Today was magical. Love you all, and if you want to donate for the next event, let me know.”
After experiencing both joy and sadness with the loss of baby Kai, Snoop has continued to embrace his growing family, with each grandchild bringing unique joy and purpose into his life.
Snoop first became a grandfather in January 2015 when his grandson, Zion Kalvin Broadus, was born to Corde and his then-girlfriend Jessica Kyzer.
Proud of this new role, Snoop posted a video saying, “Proud grandad. My son spank n grandson Zion!!Jah bless.” Zion, now 9 years old, is a constant reminder of the family’s growth and Snoop’s commitment to being “Papa Snoop.”
In August 2018, Snoop’s family grew again with the birth of Elleven Love Broadus, Corde’s daughter with Soraya.
Soraya celebrated Elleven’s fifth birthday in 2023 with an emotional Instagram post, writing, “HAPPY 5th BORN DAY TO MY 1st BORN E11EVEN this little Queen taught me how to be a mom when I didn’t know how to change a diaper.”
Elleven brought healing and love into Soraya’s life, adding to Snoop’s family legacy.
In March 2019, Cordoba Journey Broadus was born to Snoop’s son Cordell and his wife Phia. Now 5, Cordoba has shared special moments with Snoop, including attending a Chanel fashion show with him in May 2023.
In February 2021, Snoop welcomed another grandchild, Sky Love Broadus, who is Corde and Soraya’s third child. Shante Broadus, Snoop’s wife, posted about her excitement, saying, “I’m so happy my 5th grandbaby boy was born today .”
In March 2021, Cordell and Phia welcomed their daughter, Chateau Broadus. Shante celebrated her arrival, saying, “I Was Down Earlier But She Just Took All Of That Away My 6th GrandBaby Girl #ChateauBroadus .”
In May 2023, Snoop introduced his youngest grandchild, Symphony Sol, on Instagram, sharing his excitement for the new addition to the family.
Through all the joy and heartache, Snoop Dogg’s love for his family shines brightly. Each grandchild not only represents a new member of the Broadus family but also a legacy of love, strength, and togetherness.
From his own children to his many grandchildren, Snoop’s commitment to family remains strong, grounding him and keeping him connected to his roots as “Papa Snoop.”
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