Marvin Gaye

Personal Info

Known For:
Acting

Birthday:
April 2, 1939

Place of Birth:
Washington, District of Columbia, USA

Social Media

Marvin Gaye

Biography

Marvin Pentz Gay Jr. was born on April 2, 1939, the second oldest child of domestic worker Alberta Gay and Pentecostalist minister Marvin Gay Sr. From an early age, Gaye took an ardor for singing; he believed that this vocation helped him through his severely troubled youth. Gaye's sister has stated that Gay Sr. beat Marvin often and into his teens. At 17, Gaye became a high school dropout, enlisting in the U.S. Air Force. Disgruntled by the humble labor he had to do, Gaye pretended to have mental illness. The service authorized him a "General Discharge." Gaye returned to the D.C. area and set up a vocal quartet with a friend called The Marquees. Gaye's first vocal recording as a lead singer, "Mama Loocie," was recorded with Harvey and the New Moonglows, which was composed of Harvey Fuqua and members of The Marquees. After the group's dissolution in 1960, Gaye moved to Detroit. Performing at Motown head Berry Gordy's house, Gaye drew Gordy's interest; the ensuing sale of Fuqua's part of Gaye's contract led to Gaye signing with Motown company Tamla. Gaye initially wanted a career as a standards and jazz performer. After numerous album releases and chart successes, in 1971, Gaye saw the release of his concept album What's Going On. It was his first platinum-selling album and earned him much critical praise. His next project would be the score and soundtrack to the 1972 blaxploitation film, Trouble Man. In 1981, advised by music promoter Freddy Cousaert, tax exile Gaye moved into Cousaert's Ostend apartment in Belgium. Staging a personal recovery, Gaye penned the song "Sexual Healing," which would be his greatest hit, eventually doing ten weeks in the top position on the Hot Black Singles chart. The song was the first single from the album Midnight Love, which sold in excess of six million units. Gaye then went out on the Sexual Healing Tour, starting April 18, 1983, which would be his last tour. Around halfway through the year, he ended the tour, suffering paranoia stemming from cocaine use. Gaye then relocated to his parents' residence in L.A. Marvins Sr. and Jr. had growing conflict between them for months. Relatives and friends felt that Marvin Jr. was sometimes suicidally driven. One day, Gaye attempted to follow this urge with a leap from a hurtling sports car. He only received slight bruises. On April 1, 1984, Marvin Sr. yelled at Alberta about a lost insurance policy letter; they'd argued about the form for days. A severe thrashing then ensued between the two Marvins, with Marvin Sr. on the receiving end. Minutes thereafter, Marvin Sr. entered Gaye's bedroom, clutching a .38 pistol that had been bought for him by Gaye, and shot his son once in his heart and once in the shoulder. Marvin Jr.'s body was transported to California Hospital Medical Center, where at about 1 P.M., Gaye was pronounced dead on arrival. Celebrities across the world were shocked by the news of Gaye's untimely passing, from Smokey Robinson to Al Sharpton. Following Gaye's death, his awards and honors have flourished -- a fitting legacy for the man titled Prince of Soul.

Known For

Filmography

Year Movie Role
2023 They All Came Out to Montreux Self
2021 Best of the 60s: The Story of Ready, Steady, Go! Self (archive footage)
2021 Mr. Nelson on the North Side Self
2020 The Bee Gees: How Can You Mend a Broken Heart Self (archive photo)
2018 Whitney Self (archive footage)
2009 DJ Cinema Presents: Masterpiece Theater Blend Dvd Self (archive footage)
2008 Marvin Gaye: What's Going On Self (archive footage)
2008 Motor City's Burning: Detroit from Motown to the Stooges Self (archive footage)
2008 What's Going On: The Life and Death of Marvin Gaye Self (archive footage)
2006 Darts Tarts – Welcome to my World Self (archive footage)
2006 Marvin Gaye - Let's get it on self
2006 Marvin Gaye: The Real Thing - In Performance 1964-1981 Himself
2004 Larry presents: Best of The 80s Self
2004 Funky Dance Grooves Self
2004 TV in Black: The First Fifty Years Self (archive footage)
2003 Marvin Gaye - Live In Montreux 1980 Himself
2003 Prachtig 80: Volume 2 Self
2003 The Giants of Black Music Self
2002 Remember Marvin Gaye Himself
1998 Motown 40: The Music is Forever Self (archive footage)
1990 Death In Hollywood (archive footage)
1984 DTV: Golden Oldies Self
1983 Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever Self
1980 Marvin Gaye: Live at Montreux Self
1980 Standing Room Only: Diana Ross Self
1977 The Day the Music Died Self
1977 The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1977 Self
1976 Marvin Gaye - Greatest Hits Live in '76
1974 The Midnight Special Legendary Performances 1974 Self
1973 Save the Children Self
1971 Chrome and Hot Leather Jim
1969 The Ballad of Andy Crocker David Owens
1964 The T.A.M.I. Show Self
Live at Amsterdam 1976 Himself
Year TV Show Role
2021 1971: The Year That Music Changed Everything Self (archive footage)
2018 The Top Ten Revealed Self (archive footage)
2016 Forensic Justice Self (archive footage)
1972 The Midnight Special Self
1967 Malibu U Self
1965 Hullabaloo Self
1964 The Hollywood Palace Self - Singer
1964 Shindig! Self - Singer
1964 Top of the Pops Self
1963 Ready Steady Go! Self
1962 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson Self
1948 The Ed Sullivan Show Self
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