Jay Sebring
Encyclopedia
Jay Sebring was an American hair stylist for celebrities, and the founder of the hairstyling corporation Sebring International
. He is also known as one of the murder victims of the Manson Family.
, Sebring was the son of an accountant
, Bernard Kummer, and his wife Margarette. He grew up with one brother and two sisters in a middle class home in Southfield, Michigan
.
After graduating from Southfield High School
in 1951, Sebring joined the Navy
for four years, and during this time served in the Korean War
. He then moved to Los Angeles
, where he changed his name to Jay Sebring: Jay, after the first initial of his middle name, and Sebring after the famous Florida
car race.
In Los Angeles
, Sebring's style of cutting hair proved popular. His clients included Warren Beatty
and Steve McQueen. At Kirk Douglas
' request, Sebring did the hair styling for the movie Spartacus
. He later designed The Doors
' Jim Morrison
's free-flowing style.
In October 1960, Sebring married a model
named Cami – a union which ended unofficially in August 1963.
Sebring met the actress Sharon Tate
at a party at the Whisky a Go Go
club in October 1964 and they began a relationship. Sebring bought the former home of Paul Bern
, husband of Jean Harlow
, on Easton Drive in Benedict Canyon, then owned by Sally Forrest
. Tate spent much of her time there, and was also remembered by Sebring's clients as a constant presence in his Los Angeles salon.
Tate went to London
in early 1966 to work on The Fearless Vampire Killers
with film director
Roman Polanski
. They began a relationship, and Tate ended her relationship with Sebring, who travelled to London to meet Polanski. He befriended Polanski, while remaining a friend to Tate. Polanski would later comment that despite Sebring's lifestyle, he was a very lonely person, who regarded Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski as his family.
, was flourishing by the late 1960s, with profitable salons in West Hollywood
, New York
and London
. Sebring maintained a playboy lifestyle, with high-profile Hollywood personalities such as Warren Beatty
among his closest associates. In the summer of 1968, Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate introduced Sebring to Polanski's friend Wojciech Frykowski
and his girlfriend, coffee heiress Abigail Folger
, who had recently moved to Los Angeles
from New York
. Folger later invested in Sebring's hair-care products for men.
Though not seeking an acting career, Sebring made a cameo appearance in an episode of the TV show Batman
, playing a character based on himself called Mr. Oceanbring. In early May 1969 Sebring opened a new salon at 629 Commercial Street in San Francisco and a champagne reception followed. Guests included Abigail Folger and her mother, Inez, as well as Paul Newman
and his wife, Joanne Woodward
. Sebring's business enterprises continued to flourish.
Adjacent to his salon on Fairfax Avenue, West Hollywood, Pat Woolley ran her iconic fashion shop, catering to musicians and movie stars including Mia Farrow.
Sebring had a hand in launching the film career of Bruce Lee
, after meeting him at the International Karate Championships in Long Beach
in 1964. He introduced Lee to his producer friend Bill Dozier
, who started Lee's career with The Green Hornet
restaurant, together. After they returned to the Polanski residence on Cielo Drive
, Charles Manson
's followers Patricia Krenwinkel
, Susan Atkins
and Charles "Tex" Watson entered the home. After coercing the four occupants of the house into the living room, they ordered them to lie face down on the floor. Sebring protested and asked the intruders to consider Tate's advanced pregnancy. He was then shot by Watson, who kicked him several times in the face as he lay dying, breaking his nose and eye socket, he was then stabbed seven times and killed. The group then murdered Frykowski, Folger and Tate.
On Wednesday, August 13, funerals for Tate and Sebring took place the same day; the funerals were scheduled several hours apart (first for Tate and then Sebring) to allow mutual friends to attend both.
Sebring was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
in Southfield
, Michigan
. Steve McQueen
, carrying a gun (it was reported at the time that he could be another potential target of the killers), gave the eulogy.
Sebring International
Sebring International is an international hairstyling corporation created by Jay Sebring and partners in 1967. One of the investors was Folger's coffee heiress Abigail Folger, who invested in December 1968. Less than a year later Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, and 3 others including pregnant actress...
. He is also known as one of the murder victims of the Manson Family.
Early life
Born Thomas John Kummer in Birmingham, AlabamaBirmingham, Alabama
Birmingham is the largest city in Alabama. The city is the county seat of Jefferson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, Birmingham had a population of 212,237. The Birmingham-Hoover Metropolitan Area, in estimate by the U.S...
, Sebring was the son of an accountant
Accountant
An accountant is a practitioner of accountancy or accounting , which is the measurement, disclosure or provision of assurance about financial information that helps managers, investors, tax authorities and others make decisions about allocating resources.The Big Four auditors are the largest...
, Bernard Kummer, and his wife Margarette. He grew up with one brother and two sisters in a middle class home in Southfield, Michigan
Southfield, Michigan
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which 0.04% is water. The main branch of the River Rouge runs through Southfield. The city is bounded to the south by Eight Mile Road, its western border is Inkster Road, and to the east it is bounded by Greenfield Road...
.
After graduating from Southfield High School
Southfield High School
Southfield Senior High School is a senior high school located in Southfield, Michigan. Founded in 1953, Southfield High is the oldest of three high schools in the district operated by Southfield Public Schools...
in 1951, Sebring joined the Navy
Navy
A navy is the branch of a nation's armed forces principally designated for naval and amphibious warfare; namely, lake- or ocean-borne combat operations and related functions...
for four years, and during this time served in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. He then moved to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, where he changed his name to Jay Sebring: Jay, after the first initial of his middle name, and Sebring after the famous Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
car race.
In Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, Sebring's style of cutting hair proved popular. His clients included Warren Beatty
Warren Beatty
Warren Beatty born March 30, 1937) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and director. He has received a total of fourteen Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Director in 1982. He has also won four Golden Globe Awards including the Cecil B. DeMille Award.-Early life and...
and Steve McQueen. At Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas
Kirk Douglas is an American stage and film actor, film producer and author. His popular films include Out of the Past , Champion , Ace in the Hole , The Bad and the Beautiful , Lust for Life , Paths of Glory , Gunfight at the O.K...
' request, Sebring did the hair styling for the movie Spartacus
Spartacus (film)
Spartacus is a 1960 American epic historical drama film directed by Stanley Kubrick and based on the novel of the same name by Howard Fast...
. He later designed The Doors
The Doors
The Doors were an American rock band formed in 1965 in Los Angeles, California, with vocalist Jim Morrison, keyboardist Ray Manzarek, drummer John Densmore, and guitarist Robby Krieger...
' Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison
James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American musician, singer, and poet, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band The Doors...
's free-flowing style.
In October 1960, Sebring married a model
Model (person)
A model , sometimes called a mannequin, is a person who is employed to display, advertise and promote commercial products or to serve as a subject of works of art....
named Cami – a union which ended unofficially in August 1963.
Sebring and Sharon Tate
Sharon Tate
Sharon Marie Tate was an American actress. During the 1960s she played small television roles before appearing in several films. After receiving positive reviews for her comedic performances, she was hailed as one of Hollywood's promising newcomers and was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for...
at a party at the Whisky a Go Go
Whisky a Go Go
The Whisky a Go Go is a nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard, on the Sunset Strip.-History:...
club in October 1964 and they began a relationship. Sebring bought the former home of Paul Bern
Paul Bern
Paul Bern was a German-born American film director, screenwriter and producer for MGM.-Early life and career:...
, husband of Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow
Jean Harlow was an American film actress and sex symbol of the 1930s. Known as the "Blonde Bombshell" and the "Platinum Blonde" , Harlow was ranked as one of the greatest movie stars of all time by the American Film Institute...
, on Easton Drive in Benedict Canyon, then owned by Sally Forrest
Sally Forrest
Sally Forrest , is a retired American film actress of the 1940s and 1950s.She began her film career as a dancer in films in the 1940s before moving on to small film roles. After meeting director Ida Lupino, she was cast in a few of her films including Not Wanted and Hard Fast and Beautiful...
. Tate spent much of her time there, and was also remembered by Sebring's clients as a constant presence in his Los Angeles salon.
Tate went to London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
in early 1966 to work on The Fearless Vampire Killers
The Fearless Vampire Killers
The Fearless Vampire Killers is a 1967 comedy horror film directed by Roman Polanski, written by Gérard Brach and Polanski, produced by Gene Gutowski and co-starring Polanski with future wife Sharon Tate...
with film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film director, producer, writer and actor. Having made films in Poland, Britain, France and the USA, he is considered one of the few "truly international filmmakers."...
. They began a relationship, and Tate ended her relationship with Sebring, who travelled to London to meet Polanski. He befriended Polanski, while remaining a friend to Tate. Polanski would later comment that despite Sebring's lifestyle, he was a very lonely person, who regarded Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski as his family.
Sebring International
His business, Sebring InternationalSebring International
Sebring International is an international hairstyling corporation created by Jay Sebring and partners in 1967. One of the investors was Folger's coffee heiress Abigail Folger, who invested in December 1968. Less than a year later Jay Sebring, Abigail Folger, and 3 others including pregnant actress...
, was flourishing by the late 1960s, with profitable salons in West Hollywood
West Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, a city of Los Angeles County, California, was incorporated on November 29, 1984, with a population of 34,399 at the 2010 census. 41% of the city's population is made up of gay men according to a 2002 demographic analysis by Sara Kocher Consulting for the City of West Hollywood...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Sebring maintained a playboy lifestyle, with high-profile Hollywood personalities such as Warren Beatty
Warren Beatty
Warren Beatty born March 30, 1937) is an American actor, producer, screenwriter and director. He has received a total of fourteen Academy Award nominations, winning one for Best Director in 1982. He has also won four Golden Globe Awards including the Cecil B. DeMille Award.-Early life and...
among his closest associates. In the summer of 1968, Roman Polanski and Sharon Tate introduced Sebring to Polanski's friend Wojciech Frykowski
Wojciech Frykowski
Wojciech Frykowski was a Polish actor and writer who was murdered in the home of Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski by members of Charles Manson's "Family".-Early life:...
and his girlfriend, coffee heiress Abigail Folger
Abigail Folger
Abigail Anne "Gibbie" Folger was an American coffee heiress, debutante, socialite, volunteer social worker, civil rights devotee and member of the prominent United States Folger family. She was the great-granddaughter of J. A. Folger, the founder of Folgers Coffee...
, who had recently moved to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
from New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. Folger later invested in Sebring's hair-care products for men.
Though not seeking an acting career, Sebring made a cameo appearance in an episode of the TV show Batman
Batman (TV series)
Batman is an American television series, based on the DC comic book character of the same name. It stars Adam West as Batman and Burt Ward as Robin — two crime-fighting heroes who defend Gotham City. It aired on the American Broadcasting Company network for three seasons from January 12, 1966 to...
, playing a character based on himself called Mr. Oceanbring. In early May 1969 Sebring opened a new salon at 629 Commercial Street in San Francisco and a champagne reception followed. Guests included Abigail Folger and her mother, Inez, as well as Paul Newman
Paul Newman
Paul Leonard Newman was an American actor, film director, entrepreneur, humanitarian, professional racing driver and auto racing enthusiast...
and his wife, Joanne Woodward
Joanne Woodward
Joanne Gignilliat Trimmier Woodward is an American actress, television and theatrical producer, and widow of Paul Newman...
. Sebring's business enterprises continued to flourish.
Adjacent to his salon on Fairfax Avenue, West Hollywood, Pat Woolley ran her iconic fashion shop, catering to musicians and movie stars including Mia Farrow.
Sebring had a hand in launching the film career of Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee
Bruce Lee was a Chinese American, Hong Kong actor, martial arts instructor, philosopher, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and founder of the Jeet Kune Do martial arts movement...
, after meeting him at the International Karate Championships in Long Beach
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
in 1964. He introduced Lee to his producer friend Bill Dozier
William Dozier
William Dozier was an American film and television producer and actor.He began in the film industry...
, who started Lee's career with The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet
The Green Hornet is an American radio and television masked vigilante created by George W. Trendle and Fran Striker, with input from radio director James Jewell, in 1936. Since his radio debut in the 1930s, the Green Hornet has appeared in numerous serialized dramas in a wide variety of media...
Death on Cielo Drive
On August 8, 1969, Sebring, Tate, Frykowski and Folger went to El Coyote, a MexicanMexican cuisine
Mexican cuisine, a style of food that originates in Mexico, is known for its varied flavors, colourful decoration and variety of spices and ingredients, most of which are native to the country. The cuisine of Mexico has evolved through thousands of years of blending indigenous cultures, with later...
restaurant, together. After they returned to the Polanski residence on Cielo Drive
10050 Cielo Drive
The original home located at 10050 Cielo Drive in Benedict Canyon, Los Angeles, California, has been occupied by many famous Hollywood figures, and was the scene of one of the Manson "family" murders. The house was designed by Robert Byrd in 1942 for French actress Michèle Morgan...
, Charles Manson
Charles Manson
Charles Milles Manson is an American criminal who led what became known as the Manson Family, a quasi-commune that arose in California in the late 1960s. He was found guilty of conspiracy to commit the Tate/LaBianca murders carried out by members of the group at his instruction...
's followers Patricia Krenwinkel
Patricia Krenwinkel
Patricia Dianne Krenwinkel is an American convicted killer and a former member of Charles Manson's murderous commune, known as "the Family". During her time with Manson's group, she was known by various aliases such as "Big Patty", "Yellow", and "Mary Ann Scott", but to The Family she was most...
, Susan Atkins
Susan Atkins
Susan Denise Atkins was a convicted American murderer who was a member of the "Manson family", led by Charles Manson. Manson and his followers committed a series of nine murders at four locations in California, over a period of five weeks in the summer of 1969...
and Charles "Tex" Watson entered the home. After coercing the four occupants of the house into the living room, they ordered them to lie face down on the floor. Sebring protested and asked the intruders to consider Tate's advanced pregnancy. He was then shot by Watson, who kicked him several times in the face as he lay dying, breaking his nose and eye socket, he was then stabbed seven times and killed. The group then murdered Frykowski, Folger and Tate.
On Wednesday, August 13, funerals for Tate and Sebring took place the same day; the funerals were scheduled several hours apart (first for Tate and then Sebring) to allow mutual friends to attend both.
Sebring was buried at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery is the name of several different cemeteries in the United States. The name is inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, which is believed by many Christians to be built on the site of Jesus's tomb...
in Southfield
Southfield, Michigan
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which 0.04% is water. The main branch of the River Rouge runs through Southfield. The city is bounded to the south by Eight Mile Road, its western border is Inkster Road, and to the east it is bounded by Greenfield Road...
, Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
. Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen
Terrence Steven "Steve" McQueen was an American movie actor. He was nicknamed "The King of Cool." His "anti-hero" persona, which he developed at the height of the Vietnam counterculture, made him one of the top box-office draws of the 1960s and 1970s. McQueen received an Academy Award nomination...
, carrying a gun (it was reported at the time that he could be another potential target of the killers), gave the eulogy.