Phillip Crosby

For other people of the same name, see Philip Crosby (disambiguation).

Phillip Crosby (second from right) with Garry Moore, Betsy Palmer, and his brothers Lindsay and Dennis on I've Got a Secret in 1961.

Phillip Lang Crosby (13 July 1934 – 13 January 2004) was an American actor and singer, who began his career singing alongside his brothers and his father, Bing Crosby. He was the twin brother of Dennis Crosby.

Early life

He was born in California and was educated at Bellarmine College Preparatory in San Jose. He and Dennis were two of Bing Crosby's four sons from his first marriage to the singer Dixie Lee.

Singing career

Phillip and his brothers formed a harmony singing group, The Crosby Boys, who performed during the 1950s and 1960s. They appeared in nightclubs and on The Ed Sullivan Show on American television.

Family relations

• 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 to:

1. Sandra Jo Drummond, a Vegas showgirl (1958–1963); two children, daughter Dixie Lee Crosby and son Brian Patrick Crosby (deceased).
2. Mary Joyce Gabbard, a Vegas showgirl (1964–1966); two children, daughter Mary Elizabeth Crosby and son Bing Crosby.
3. Georgi Edwards, a Vegas showgirl (1967–1969)
4. Peggy J. Compton (1972–1975); one son Phillip L. Crosby Jr., (a crooner in a musical quartet, which revitalises some of Bing's old songs).

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. Philip's twin Dennis and his younger brother Lindsay committed suicide with shotguns, in their 50s. Gary died from lung cancer in August 1995, aged 62. Phillip died on January 13, 2004, in Woodland Hills, California from a heart attack, aged 69.

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 (1963)...Robbo's hood
• None But the Brave (1965) (as Phil Crosby)...Pvt. Magee...aka Yusha nomi (Japan)

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)

External links

• Phillip Crosby at the Internet Movie Database
• Phillip Crosby at Find a Grave