Robert Stack (full name Robert Langford Modini Stack) is an American theater, film, television and voice actor, television presenter, producer, and professional athlete. In 1957 he was nominated for an Oscar, and in 1960 he won an Emmy for Best Actor in the TV series The Untouchables.
The actor made his film debut in 1939 in the film The First Ball. His partner on the set was the famous Dina Durbin. During World War II, Robert enlisted in the army. Returning from service, he continued his acting career.
Stack's creative biography includes over 170 roles in film and television. He has repeatedly participated in the Oscar, Emmy, Golden Globe awards, and has also appeared on the screen in popular entertainment shows and documentaries.
Biography facts
The boy was born in the United States in the winter of 1919. He was the second child of Elizabeth Modini Wood and James Langford Stack. Immediately after birth, the mother gave the child the name Charles in honor of her grandfather. But the father was categorically against this name and as a result named his son Robert.
Robert's father owned a large advertising agency and was familiar with many representatives of show business. Mom was engaged in housekeeping and raising children.
A year after the birth of their second child, the parents divorced and Elizabeth took her son with her to Europe. After 3 years, Robert returned to the United States, but did not know English at all, at first he had a rather difficult time. The boy was fluent in French and Italian, but in order to continue living in America and studying at school, he had to master English.
Robert's older brother stayed with his father in Los Angeles. The family was reunited only in 1928. The former spouses decided to live together again and soon formalized their second marriage. But a year later, James died suddenly.
Robert was madly in love with his mother and always spoke of her with great respect. In his autobiographical book, he devoted several chapters to her and posted joint photographs with the caption: "Me and my best girl".
Stack's maternal grandfather was an opera singer. His real name was Wood, but when he was studying in Italy, he took the stage name Carlo Modini. The paternal uncle was also a famous opera singer. He performed in America under the name Richard Bonelli (real name George Richard Bunn).
From an early age, Robert was familiar with many famous performers. There were actors, singers and musicians in their house, and with Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy, the boy went hiking and fishing more than once.
After completing his secondary education, Robert enrolled in theater courses at Bridgewater State University.
In his student years, he became interested in sports, choosing skeet shooting and polo, and achieved very high results. In 1935, he took 2nd place in the national championship, and a year later he won it with a new record.
Creative career
In his student years, the young man attracted the attention of Hollywood producers with his low, pleasant voice and external data. At Universal Studios, Stack met producer D. Paternak, who invited the young man to try acting in films. Coming to the audition, he perfectly coped with the proposed scene, in which the famous performer H. Parrish participated.
Soon Robert was approved for the lead role in the musical comedy "The First Ball". The famous Dina Durbin became his partner on the set. The film tells the story of a modern Cinderella. A girl named Connie after graduation comes to visit her rich relatives, who are not very happy to see her. One day the whole family goes to the ball, and Connie stays at home. But her uncle, who treats the girl very well, helps her get to the holiday, where she meets her prince.
The film was highly appreciated by viewers and film critics, received 4 Oscar nominations.
This was followed by the work of Stack in the films "Deadly Storm", "A Little Bit of Paradise", "Sweet Girl?", "Dakota Badlands", "To Be or Not to Be", "Texan".
In 1942, Stack enlisted in the army. He served as an officer in the artillery force and was a shooting instructor for the United States Navy. He was awarded medals “For the Asia-Pacific Company”, “For the American Company” and “For Victory in World War II”.
After returning from service, Robert resumed his creative career. He starred in many popular films and TV series, including: "Date with Judy", "Fighter Squadron", "Mister Music", "Bullfighter and Lady", "My Brother is a Bandit", "The Great and Mighty", "House of Bamboo "," Theater 90 "," Words Written in the Wind "," Tainted Angels "," Gift of Love "," John Paul Jones "," The Untouchables "," Lucy Show "," Watchman "," Is Paris Burning? ", “You Didn't Say Everything, Ferrand,” “Police Story,” “Cesar's Night,” “The Boat of Love,” “1941,” “Airplane,” “Falcon Crest,” “Hotel,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Hollywood Wives "," Big Trouble "," Joe Against the Volcano "," Diagnosis: Murder ".
The actor devoted a lot of time to dubbing animated characters in films. The heroes of the films speak in his voice: "Transformers", "Beaviz and Butt-Head make America", "Cool Beavers", "Hercules", "Vacation: Get Out of School".
In 1960, the name Stack star at number 7001 appeared on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
In 1996, the actor was awarded the "Gold Palm Star" at the Palm Springs Walk Of Stars.
In 2001, for his contribution to the development of the film industry, the actor received a special award from the Temecula Valley International Film Festival.
Personal life
Robert married on January 23, 1956. The actress Rosemary Bowe became his chosen one. The couple lived together all their lives until Stack's death. They raised two children: Charles Robert and Elizabeth Wood.
In 2002, the actor was diagnosed with cancer - prostate cancer. He was treated in one of the American clinics, but in May 2003 he had a heart attack.
Robert died of a heart attack at the age of 84. He was buried in Los Angeles at the Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery.
