Merv Griffin, the well-known TV producer and host of “The Merv Griffin Show,” is charged with living a “secret gay life” while he was still alive. Tony Griffin is the name of the media mogul’s son from his previous marriage to Julann Wright. Following their divorce, Griffin allegedly began dating Hungarian-American actress Eva Gabor.
However, it was only claimed that they shared a spiritual bond. Griffin was asked about rumors that he is gay; however, his co-stars and crew have asserted that this is the case. Griffin declined to confirm or deny these rumors. Griffin was also mentioned in two cases brought by two different people, demonstrating the TV personality’s covert existence.
Merv Griffin was one of the most popular and successful television talk show hosts in the 1960s. In less than 30 years, he was able to build the Merv Griffin Enterprises empire, which housed many of the top television game shows, including the all-time favorite “Wheel of Fortune.”. Griffin was charged with making a paternity claim in April 1991, not long after he had attained the pinnacle of his success as an “Atlantic City casino magnate.
At the time, a 37-year-old Florida man named Brent Plott sued Griffin for $200 million, claiming a breach of contract. According to reports, Griffin promised to take care of him forever. The two of them shared a bed and lived together for four years before Plott made the decision to leave in 1985, according to Plott, who claimed that Griffin had professed his love for him.
Griffin was not only Plott’s “lover,” to whom he had made promises of “solace and emotional support,” but the TV mogul’s “business consultant,” according to Plott, who also claimed to have helped in the decision to choose Vanna White for “Wheel of Fortune.”. Griffin denied Plott’s claims, believing that he was lying to obtain money.
I’m being blackmailed into paying money in this blatant attempt. This former bodyguard and horse trainer made $250 per week, was a security guard in one of the two apartments beneath my former residence, and left my employ six or seven years ago. He makes absurd and unfounded accusations. ”.
Plott asserted to have met Griffin in Monte Carlo in 1976, the same year that Griffin divorced his ex-wife, Julann Wright. Griffin allegedly begged Plott to move in with him for years before getting his approval. In November 1991, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Diane Wayne threw out the case with prejudice and fined Plott $2,000.
The month after his initial lawsuit was dismissed, Griffin’s second lawsuit was filed by “Dance Fever” host Deney Terrio. The TV personality claimed that Griffin had sexually assaulted him in 1978 and demanded $11.3 million in compensation. In his lawsuit, Terrio argued:.
“The Defendant, Merv Griffin, made overtly homophobic advances toward [Terrio] beginning in 1978 and continuing throughout the course of the parties’ business relationship. Griffin persisted in asking for these things, frequently mentioning the money Terrio would gain as a result.
After Griffin’s lawyer denied the accusations, the Los Angeles federal court dismissed the case in June 1992. Following the dismissal of the cases, a large number of gay men in New York started wearing T-shirts with the slogan “I didn’t sleep with Merv” written on them. Due to the persistent allegations and public outings about his sexuality, Merv completely avoided the LGBT community and ceased supporting gay rights initiatives.
The “Green Acres” actress Eva Gabor was frequently spotted with Griffin. They reportedly only had “platonic” relationships up until her death in 1995. They went out on dates quite frequently. Eva’s sister Zsa Zsa disagreed with the notion that Griffin would “cover up” or “hide” his homosexuality by being in Gabor’s company.
Merv Griffin and Eva Griffin will wed. After visiting the Bahamas, they just got back. Even though I know I shouldn’t, I can’t help it.
Although Zsa stated that Eva and Griffin were in a serious and “real” relationship, Griffin’s spokesman, Warren Cowan, stated that he could not confirm that the couple was getting married. Cowan asserted that if Eva and Griffin got married, he would be “surprised.”. Griffin continued to be “close friends” with the Gabor family, and Zsa Zsa praised him as a “wonderful, wonderful man.”. ”.
After the “Jeopardy!” creator’s passing in 2007, Griffin’s sexual history and orientation were fully disclosed. The TV personality allegedly lived in secrecy because of the homophobic environment in which he was raised, according to many people who have openly discussed his “closeted lifestyle.”. Because of this, Griffin would make an effort to maintain his secrecy, but his coworkers and staff reportedly knew of his secret identity:.
Although acknowledged, Merv’s sexual orientation was rarely brought up at work. We didn’t know about his relationships because he jealously guarded his privacy.
Due to “privacy laws” that forbid such information from being made public, Griffin’s sexual orientation was well known in Hollywood and did not need to be mentioned. This contrasts with the acceptance of making up a wife and children rather than coming out as gay, as Griffin did.
Griffin could avoid questions about his sexuality by having Gabor as a companion, but he was still referred to as a “closeted gay talk show host.”. Griffin may have felt the need to hide his sexual orientation for the reasons listed below, according to game show producer Bob Stewart.
He could have been honest without being concerned about the repercussions because he wasn’t a leading man or sex icon. He operated on his own. His Catholic upbringing, Republican political leanings, and generational internalization of guilt and shame could all be contributing factors.
Stewart goes on to say that Griffin’s former four-game show announcers have come forward to confirm his homosexuality. The four people claimed that Griffin would find it harder and harder to hide his interest when working with extremely attractive men. The sources added that they saw Griffin flirting with another man while out on a romantic date in a dimly lit restaurant.
A second time, American filmmaker Matt Tyrnauer disclosed that Scotty Bowers had validated Griffin’s sexuality during their earlier conversation. Bowers claims Griffin told him about a gas station that served as a sort of brothel for gay men and was the place “you would go to get in trouble. “Whether or not Wright and Griffin’s relationship was “real” love is still up for debate among the general public. Many still ponder whether their union was a ruse to disprove the TV producer’s purported homosexuality.
Griffin made numerous attempts not to reveal his sexual orientation. The storied figure in TV production was known to frequently travel throughout Hollywood while appearing to be dating women. No matter what he did to try to keep his life private, Griffin admitted on television that eventually the world would find out about his business.
“I let everyone know that I am a quartersexual. I will collaborate with anyone for a quarter.
Griffin’s assertion was corroborated by CNN Entertainment Correspondent Lola Ogunnaike later that same year, the same year that The New York Times first reported it. Griffin’s assertion concerning live broadcasting was reaffirmed by Ogunnaike:.
“Well, you know, he was dating the married and divorcée Eva Gabor. There has been much discussion about his sexual preferences. The judge dismissed the palimony lawsuit that his ex-employee had brought against him. However, Merv was surprisingly forthright and honest when I told him, “Merv, this stuff is out there; talk to me about it.”. I’m a quarter-sexual, I said the man. ”.
The child of Merv’s union with longtime friend Julann Wright is named Tony Griffin. Robert Q. on a radio show. Julann Wright, Griffin’s first and only wife, was introduced to Griffin by Lewis. The two started hanging out as friends before they got engaged in May 1958. Despite their 1976 breakup, Griffin and Wright remained close friends for the rest of their lives, until Griffin passed away on August 12, 2007.
The ex-couple’s son, Tony Griffin, is an American actor and writer. Tony is married to Tricia Griffin; they have two children together: Donovan Mervyn, a son, and Farah Griffin, a daughter.
Griffin carried his secret identity with him when he died of prostate cancer at the age of 82. It was fairly common in Hollywood at the time for men to hide their sexual orientation, especially when they were in the spotlight. based on the verse in Facts:.
“Griffin was married and suppressed his sexuality. Celebrities who identify as queer, especially those from earlier eras, frequently wed to hide their sexual orientation. This tried-and-true tactic has been employed by numerous celebrities, including Rock Hudson, Anthony Perkins, and Elton John.
Despite having a successful career based on his charm and charisma, Griffin’s true self was never seen. Prior to his death, Griffin asked Wright and Gabor to protect his identity.
The general public is still divided over whether or not what Wright and Griffin shared was “real” love. Many people continue to wonder if their union was a ruse to cover up the TV producer’s purported homosexuality.
Wright is currently 94 years old, while her son Tony is 63. The mother and son have not yet responded to the question of whether they believe Merv maintained a “secret” existence behind closed doors. Griffin’s family did, however, continue to pay tribute to him and gave Griffin their all at his funeral in 2007.
