Phillip Crosby
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Phillip Lang Crosby (13 July 1934 - 13 January 2004) was an American actor and singer.
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[edit] Early life
He was born in California and was educated at Bellarmine Academy in Santa Clara. He and his twin brother Dennis were two of Bing Crosby's four sons from his first marriage to the singer Dixie Lee.
[edit] Singing Career
Phillip and his brothers formed a harmony singing group "The Crosby Brothers" during the 1950s and 1960s. They appeared in nightclubs and on "The Ed Sullivan Show" on American television.
[edit] Family Life
- Brother of Dennis (twin), Gary and Lindsay Crosby.
- Half-sibling of Harry Crosby, Nathaniel Crosby and Mary Crosby.
- Nephew of the bandleader Bob Crosby.
- Cousin of Cathy Crosby and Chris Crosby.
- Uncle of Denise Crosby, L.Chip Crosby Jr.
He was married four times:
- 1) Sandra J Drummond, a Vegas showgirl (1958-1963); one son Brian Patrick "Flip" Crosby.
- 2) Mary Joyce Gabbard, a Vegas showgirl (1964-1966); two daughters Mary Elizabeth Crosby and Dixie Lee Crosby.
- 3) Georgi Edwards, a Vegas showgirl (1967-1969)
- 4) Peggy Crosby (divorced 1975); one son Phillip Jr., (a crooner in a musical quartet, which revitalises some of Bing's old songs).
[edit] Tragedy
Despite a promising start to life, the brothers were overwhelmed by their emotional problems, which resulted in heavy drinking. Their mother's premature death from ovarian cancer, was hastened by acute alcoholism. His twin Dennis and his younger brother Lindsay committed suicide with shotguns, in their 50s. Gary died from lung cancer aged 62. Phillip died in Woodland Hills, California from a heart attack aged 69.
[edit] Film Credits
- Out of This World (1945)...Himself
- Duffy's Tavern (1945)...Himself
- Screen Snapshots Series 25, No. 10: Famous Fathers and Sons (1946)
- Sergeants 3 (1962)...Cpl. Ellis
- Robin and the Seven Hoods (1964)...Robbo's hood
- None But the Brave (1965) (as Phil Crosby)...Pvt. Magee...aka Yusha nomi (Japan)
[edit] Television Credits
- "The Phil Silvers Show"...playing "Himself" in "Bilko Presents Bing Crosby" (episode # 2.18) (1957)
- "Toast of the Town"...playing "Singer" (as "The Crosby Brothers") (episode # 14.4) (1960)
- "What's My Line?"...playing "Mystery Guests" (as "The Crosby Brothers") (1961)
- "Toast of the Town"...playing "Himself" (as "The Crosby Brothers") (episode # 14.30) (1961)
- "Toast of the Town"...playing "Himself" (as "The Crosby Brothers") (episode # 14.32) (1961)
- "Toast of the Town"...playing "Singer" (as "The Crosby Brothers") (episode # 15.2) (1961)
- "Toast of the Town"...playing "Himself" (as "The Crosby Brothers") (episode # 15.24) (1962)
- "Ben Casey"....(as Phil Crosby) in episode "A Thousand Words are Mute" (episode # 4.8) (1964)
- "The Hollywood Palace"...playing "Himself - Singer" (episode # 5.25) (1968)
- "The Hollywood Palace"...playing "Himself - Singer" (episode # 6.26) ([[1969)