Montgomery Clift's 1956 Crash Changed Him Forever
- 01. Montgomery Clift Car Accident 1956: The Night That Changed Hollywood Forever
- 02. The Exact Timeline of Montgomery Clift's Devastating Crash
- 03. Critical Injuries Sustained in the 1956 Accident
- 04. Elizabeth Taylor's Heroic Response Saved Clift's Life
- 05. Career Impact: How the Accident Changed Montgomery Clift's Acting
- 06. Long-Term Consequences: Addiction and Early Death
- 07. Why This Accident Still Matters in Hollywood History
Montgomery Clift Car Accident 1956: The Night That Changed Hollywood Forever
On May 12, 1956, Hollywood heartthrob Montgomery Clift suffered a near-fatal car accident when he crashed his automobile into a telephone pole in Benedict Canyon, Beverly Hills, just after leaving a party at Elizabeth Taylor's home. The 35-year-old actor sustained catastrophic facial injuries including a broken jaw in four places, shattered cheekbones, a split nose, and missing front teeth, requiring extensive reconstructive surgery that permanently altered his appearance and dramatically shifted his career trajectory.
The Exact Timeline of Montgomery Clift's Devastating Crash
The accident occurred on a warm Saturday evening as Clift drove home from Elizabeth Taylor's Beverly Hills residence after a glamorous party attended by Hollywood's elite. Witnesses reported that Clift had been consuming alcohol throughout the evening, raising questions about his state of mind and whether he fell asleep at the wheel.
- Approximately 11:30 PM: Clift leaves Elizabeth Taylor's party on Sunset Boulevard
- 11:45 PM: Clift loses control of his car on a steep, winding canyon road
- 11:47 PM: Vehicle smashes into a telephone pole with devastating force
- 11:50 PM: Friend Kevin McCarthy witnesses the accident from his car
- 12:05 AM: Elizabeth Taylor runs barefoot to the wreckage and removes Clift's dislodged teeth from his throat
- 12:20 AM: Rock Hudson and Michael Wilding arrive to protect Clift from reporters
- 1:00 AM: Ambulance arrives; Clift transported to Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
The catastrophic impact left Clift unconscious amidst twisted metal and shattered glass, with smoke billowing from the wreckage. McCarthy drove back immediately to alert Taylor and her then-husband Michael Wilding, who raced to the scene alongside Rock Hudson.
Critical Injuries Sustained in the 1956 Accident
Clift's facial injuries were so severe that doctors initially feared he might not survive. His head was grotesquely swollen, with multiple fractures requiring immediate surgical intervention. The extent of damage included:
| Injury Type | Severity | Surgical Intervention Required | Recovery Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jaw fractures | Broken in 4 places | Wiring and metal plates | 9 weeks minimum |
| Nose injury | Split completely in two | Multiple reconstructive surgeries | 6+ months |
| Cheekbones | Cracked bilaterally | Bone grafting | 4-5 months |
| Front teeth | Two completely dislodged | Extraction and dental work | 3 months |
| Facial lacerations | Severe, requiring 100+ stitches | Plastic surgery | 12+ months |
Elizabeth Taylor later recounted the haunting moment she held Clift's head in her lap until paramedics arrived, pulling broken teeth from his throat that threatened to choke him.
Elizabeth Taylor's Heroic Response Saved Clift's Life
Clift owed his life to Elizabeth Taylor, who rushed from her home barefoot to the mangled car in Benedict Canyon. Taylor entered the vehicle through the back door, crawled to the front seat, and performed life-saving first aid by removing Clift's dislodged teeth before they could obstruct his airway.
"She held his head in my lap until paramedics could get there-an image both haunting and tender."
This dramatic rescue deepened their already-strong friendship, though their relationship also experienced tension as Clift struggled with identity issues and substance abuse in the aftermath. Taylor and Hudson insisted Clift be allowed to finish "Raintree County" despite studio considerations about recasting him.
Career Impact: How the Accident Changed Montgomery Clift's Acting
Once celebrated for roles showcasing vulnerability and strength in films like "A Place in the Sun" and "From Here to Eternity," Clift's dashing good looks were gone forever. The accident marked a definitive turning point in his artistic expression and career trajectory.
- Production of "Raintree County" postponed from May 13 to July 4, 1956
- Clift returned to set after 9 weeks but faced considerable difficulties filming
- Left side of his face became nearly immobile, visible in post-accident scenes
- Nose and chin appear noticeably different in color footage of "Raintree County"
- Post-accident behavior became increasingly erratic due to painkillers and drugs
- Roles shifted toward darker, more complex emotional characters
The scenes Clift shot for "Raintree County" just before the accident represent the only color footage available of him before disfigurement, as all previous movies were shot in black-and-white.
Long-Term Consequences: Addiction and Early Death
The accident exacerbated Clift's existing personal struggles, leading to increased isolation and substance abuse issues that had been brewing for years. Hopped up on painkillers and other drugs, his behavior became increasingly erratic, alienating studio moguls while deepening his reliance on alcohol.
Despite these challenges, Clift continued working through his recovery, exploring complex emotional landscapes few actors dared tackle during that era. His legacy remains multifaceted: a brilliant actor whose personal battles mirrored societal expectations around masculinity while challenging them through raw honesty onscreen.
Tragically, Montgomery Clift passed away on July 23, 1966, at age 45-exactly 10 years after his life-altering accident. His death resulted from heart failure, complicated by years of substance abuse and the physical toll of his injuries.
Why This Accident Still Matters in Hollywood History
Clift's 1956 car crash represents one of Hollywood's most poignant reminders of fame's fragility and the personal costs of stardom. The accident transformed a golden-age heartthrob into a symbol of resilience and artistic depth, proving that vulnerability could coexist with extraordinary talent.
His story continues resonating because it humanizes the glamorous Hollywood facade, revealing the brutal realities behind the cameras. The unbelievable nature of Elizabeth Taylor's heroic intervention, combined with the permanent disfigurement of one of cinema's most handsome stars, creates a narrative that feels almost too dramatic for fiction.
Today, film historians consider Clift's post-accident performances among his most powerful work, recognizing how his physical transformation deepened his emotional authenticity. The accident didn't destroy his career-it forged new artistic depths within him that continue influencing actors today.
Expert answers to Montgomery Clift Car Accident 1956 queries
What exactly happened in Montgomery Clift's 1956 car accident?
On May 12, 1956, Clift crashed his car into a telephone pole in Benedict Canyon after leaving Elizabeth Taylor's party, likely falling asleep at the wheel while driving along Sunset Boulevard. The impact shattered his jaw in four places, broke his nose, cracked his cheekbones, and dislodged two front teeth.
How did Elizabeth Taylor save Montgomery Clift's life?
Taylor ran barefoot to the wreckage, entered through the back door, crawled to the front seat, and removed Clift's broken teeth from his throat that threatened to choke him. She then held his head in her lap until paramedics arrived at approximately 1:00 AM.
Did Montgomery Clift's face change after the accident?
Yes, dramatically. His dashing good looks were permanently altered-his nose was split, jaw broken, cheekbones cracked, and the entire left side of his face became nearly immobile. Despite cinematographers' skill, his changed appearance is visible in "Raintree County" post-accident scenes.
How long was Montgomery Clift recovering from the car accident?
Clift required 9 weeks of initial recovery before returning to the "Raintree County" set, but full facial reconstruction and healing took 12+ months. He underwent multiple reconstructive surgeries and remained on painkillers throughout the recovery period.
What movie was Montgomery Clift filming when he had the accident?
Clift was filming "Raintree County" (1957) when the accident occurred. Production was suspended from May 13 to July 4, 1956, due to his injuries. The accident happened during filming, not after completion.