Ashley delves into the life and death of Hollywood actor Gig Young (born Byron Ellsworth Barr), a prolific Golden Age performer with over 100 film credits, Oscar nominations, and a Best Supporting Actor win for They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969), yet persistent feelings of inadequacy rooted in an emotionally cold childhood and alleged sexual abuse by a caregiver. Known as the charming second lead who "loses the girl," Young struggled with insecurity, career frustration, and alcoholism, leading to lost roles including Blazing Saddles and the original voice of Charlie on Charlie's Angels. Married five times, he had one daughter, Jennifer, and fought child support before later being linked to controversial psychologist Eugene Landy. On October 19, 1978, three weeks after marrying fifth wife Kim Schmidt, Young fatally shot her and then himself in their Osborne Apartments unit in Manhattan; no motive or note was found, and the case was ruled murder-suicide.

00:00 Listener Warning

00:17 Meet the Hosts

00:37 Elderberry Cold Open

02:32 Case Reveal Gig Young

05:06 Early Life and Family

14:12 Abuse and Insecurity

18:17 Acting Breakthrough

22:27 Second Lead Career

30:25 Oscar and Downfall

33:51 Sexuality Rumors

40:12 Five Marriages Timeline

45:14 Patreon and Ratings

46:09 Paternity Fight Fallout

48:12 Fifth Wife Kim Schmidt

49:50 Career Collapse Alcoholism

52:55 Osborne Apartments Detour

56:48 Meet Dr Eugene Landy

01:03:45 Brian Wilson Control Scheme

01:11:19 Landy Treats Gig Young

01:13:57 Murder Suicide Discovery

01:21:16 Aftermath Motives Legacy

01:28:07 Closing Reflections Next Pod

The hosts discuss Jerry Lee Lewis's career and controversies, including his rise at Sun Records, membership in the "Million Dollar Quartet," and hits like "Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" and "Great Balls of Fire," alongside stories of ego and volatile behavior. They outline his marriages and family tragedies: a bigamous second marriage before his first divorce finalized; marriage at 22 to 13-year-old cousin Myra Gale Brown, which derailed his British tour; and allegations of physical and mental abuse. They cover the drowning death of Myra's child, later deaths and scandals involving Lewis, and the disputed deaths of wives Jaren Pate (1982 pool drowning) and Shawn Stevens (1983 methadone overdose), citing a Rolling Stone account of blood, bruising, and inconsistencies. The episode emphasizes how fame, power, and systems allegedly protected him.

00:00 Listener Warning

00:15 Valentines Banter

02:16 Meet Jerry Lee Lewis

06:10 Early Life and Sun Records

12:26 Hits and Wild Persona

15:20 Child Bride Scandal

27:58 Backlash and Dark Turn

36:45 Intermission and Plugs

37:39 Wife Four and Threats

40:55 Fourth Wife Drowning

42:29 Power Shields Scandal

47:29 Fifth Wife Dies Fast

50:03 Blood Bruises Questions

51:53 Methadone Explained

01:00:06 Needle Marks Struggle

01:07:15 Exit Plan Cut Off

01:10:43 Why No Indictment

01:16:39 Celebrity Accountability

01:20:23 Wrap Up And Outro