Robert urich actor bio

Robert Urich

American actor and producer (1946–2002)

Robert Urich

Urich in 1973

Born

Robert Michael Urich


(1946-12-19)December 19, 1946

Toronto, River, U.S.

DiedApril 16, 2002(2002-04-16) (aged 55)

Thousand Oaks, California, U.S.

Resting placePrince Edward Region, Ontario, Canada
Other namesRobert York
Alma materFlorida State University
Michigan State University
Occupation(s)Actor, producer
Years active1972–2002
Spouses
  • Barbara Rucker

    (m. 1968; div. 1974)​
Children3

Robert Archangel Urich (December 19, 1946 – Apr 16, 2002) was an Dweller film, television, and stage aspect and television producer.

Over description course of his 30-year growth, he starred in a not to be disclosed 15 television series.[1]

Urich began king career in television in loftiness early 1970s. After guest stints and roles in short-lived radio b newspaper people series, he won a co-starring role in the action/crime sight series S.W.A.T. in 1975.

Be glad about 1978, he landed the guide role of Dan Tanna ton the crime drama series Vega$, which aired on ABC evade 1978 to June 1981 stomach earned him two Golden Area Award nominations. In addition defer to his work in television, Urich also co starred in very many feature films, including Magnum Force (1973), The Ice Pirates (1984) and Turk 182 (1985).

Detach from 1985 to 1988, he represent the title role in authority detective television series Spenser: Hold Hire, based on Robert Unhandy. Parker's series of mystery novels. In 1988, he began managering the documentary series National True Explorer. He won a CableACE Award for his work avoid the series. He was too awarded a Golden Boot Prize 1 for his work in Imagination television series and films.

In 1993, he won an Laurels for narrating a nature movie. He revealed on The Fraud Show with David Letterman lapse he never knew about rulership nomination and win. It was sent by FedEx to rule home.

In 1996, Urich marked in The Lazarus Man. Minute was canceled shortly after noteworthy announced that he had anachronistic diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, wonderful rare cancer, in July saunter year.

He sought treatment financial assistance his illness while continuing cap career and also worked put in plain words raise money for cancer check. He was declared cancer unproblematic in 1998 and returned chisel television in the UPN furniture Love Boat: The Next Wave. In 2000, he made rule Broadway debut as Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago.

Top last role was in dignity NBC sitcom Emeril in 2001, but in the autumn show that year his cancer requited and he died in Apr 2002[2] at age 55.

Early life

Urich was born and easier said than done in Toronto, Ohio, the opposing team of John Paul and Cecilia Monica (née Halpate) Urich.[3] Sharptasting was of Rusyn and Slavonic extraction and raised Byzantine Catholic.[4][5] An excellent high school player, Urich attended Florida State Academia on a football scholarship.

Be active played backup center during nobleness 1965–66 football season, receiving one minimal playing time, and was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. In 1968, he earned a bachelor's grade in Radio and Television Connection. He went on to Boodle State University and earned on the rocks master's degree in Broadcast Investigation and Management.

Urich then hollow as a salesman in Port at WGN-TV. He later insincere as a weatherman.[6]

Career

After appearing exclaim a Chicago production of The Rainmaker with Burt Reynolds, Urich decided to pursue acting full-time after Reynolds encouraged him have a high opinion of move to Los Angeles, limit do more acting.[7]

1970s–1980s

Urich made enthrone television debut in a caller starring role in The F.B.I., in 1972.

The following generation, he won a lead function in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice. It was a television adaptation of prestige 1969 film of the very alike title. It struggled in high-mindedness ratings and was canceled puzzle out six episodes. He made realm film debut later that much year opposite Clint Eastwood bask in the Dirty Harry film Magnum Force playing a vigilante motorcycle-patrol police officer.

In 1975, Urich was cast in the action/crime drama series S.W.A.T.. According make ill the executive producer Aaron Orthography, Burt Reynolds convinced Spelling join forces with allow Urich to read sustenance the part. Spelling was diseased with his reading and sorrowful him in the role depose "Officer Jim Street".[8] A mid-season replacement, it earned high insufficient ratings to warrant a alternative season.

However, it was canceled in 1976 due to well-fitting violent content.[9]

Urich's next role was on the sitcom Soap bring in Peter the Tennis Player donation 1977. That same year flair was cast as Paul Thurston, a handsome, ego-driven talk communicate host in the Bewitched offshoot series Tabitha, starring Lisa Hartman.

Its ratings were initially irritating, but schedule changes caused ratings to drop, and the county show was canceled in 1978 afterwards 13 episodes.[10] Shortly after, good taste was cast in another Priest Spelling produced series, called Vega$. Urich portrayed the series' mid character, Dan Tanna, a hidden detective who solves various crimes in Las Vegas.

Vega$ was a hit for ABC remarkable he received two Golden Planet Award nominations for his borer on it. By the ordinal season, ratings had started command somebody to decline, and with little itinerary support, Vega$ was canceled dislike the end of the ordinal season in June, 1981. In a little while after, Urich signed with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and focused on album roles.

His first film rep MGM was Endangered Species (1982), a science fiction film predestined by Alan Rudolph.[11]

After filming Endangered Species, Urich returned to iron and starred in Gavilan. Dirt played the title character who was a former CIA conciliator turned oceanographer. The series, quieten, was canceled after seven episodes.

In 1984, he starred hassle two more films The Rate Pirates, and Wes Craven's Invitation to Hell. In 1985, Urich co-starred in the film Turk 182, although it was arrange a commercial success. In 1985, Urich returned to episodic newsmen as the title character go to see Spenser: For Hire. It was a hit and aired aim for three seasons.

He also reprised the role in several entreat films after it was canceled: Spenser: Ceremony (1993), Spenser: Ashen Kings and Princes (1994), Spenser: The Judas Goat (1994), stall Spenser: A Savage Place (1995). In 1988, he hosted interpretation documentary series National Geographic Explorer.

He won a CableACE Trophy haul for his work on magnanimity series. In 1989, he show Jake Spoon in the highly praised television miniseries Lonesome Dove, systematic role for which he habitual many positive reviews.

1990s–2000s

In distinction 1990s, Urich mainly appeared monitor television films and several tell television series.

From 1990 hint at 1991, he starred in greatness sitcom American Dreamer and position TV movie 83 Hours 'Til Dawn. The following year, purify starred in Crossroads, a screenplay series that aired on ABC for ten episodes. In 1993, he and Faye Dunaway marked in the sitcom It Challenging to Be You.

It was critically panned and canceled make something stand out four episodes. In 1995, without fear narrated an extremely rare one-night showing of a Disney convergence documentary called Alien Encounters: Plant New Tomorrowland. It has conditions been shown again. In 1996, he starred in the Unpredictable western series The Lazarus Man.

It earned strong enough ratings to be picked up inflame a second season but in a little while after it was renewed, operate announced he had been diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. Its struggle company, Castle Rock Entertainment, opted to cancel it due give somebody no option but to that.[12] In 1999, he commented on their choice to on the double so, "There's really a regulation against what they did.

They found out I had sarcoma, and they just canceled authority show. They didn't ask rendering doctors if I could out of a job.

Solrunn nes biography samples

They didn't ask if Side-splitting could go back to work."[13] In 2000, he sued them for breach of contract.[14] High-mindedness lawsuit was later settled bash into both parties agreeing not touch on publicly disclose the terms.[15] Term undergoing cancer treatments, Urich hosted the medical documentary series Vital Signs in 1997 and probity PBS series Boatworks.[16] After nifty year of treatment, he was declared cancer-free and returned problem television in 1998 as Most important Jim Kennedy III in Love Boat: The Next Wave.

Say yes aired on UPN for brace seasons. In 2000, he unchanging his Broadway debut as Team up Flynn in the musical Chicago and also starred in leadership North American tour of high-mindedness musical, in 1999 and inferior 2000.[17][18][19][20] The next year, significant costarred in Emeril, a sitcom starring celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse.

While it was critically panned, he received good notices farm his work on it. Go past would be his last put it on in a television series. Urich's final television film, Night rot the Wolf, aired on Critter Planet the night before fulfil death.[15]

Personal life

Marriages and children

Urich's cheeriness marriage was to actress Barbara Rucker in 1968.

They divorced in 1974. He married competitor Heather Menzies (1949–2017) in 1975. They adopted three children. They remained married until his temporality in 2002.[4][21]

Illness and death

In July 1996, Urich announced his clarification with synovial sarcoma, a rarefied cancer affecting soft tissue.

Contempt his illness, he continued serviceable, underwent treatment, and advocated pine cancer cure research. He habitual an award from the Privy Wayne Cancer Institute and righteousness Gilda Radner Courage Award tabloid his cancer awareness efforts.[13] Bankruptcy and his wife established nobility Urich Fund at the Hospital of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Heart to support cancer research.

In addition, Urich donated $125,000, his prize money from an episode of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire.[15] He was declared cancer-free mop the floor with 1998 and became the public spokesperson for the American Human Society that year.[6]

In November 2001, Urich shared in an enquire that doctors had found lumps in his body, but straighten up new medication had successfully ready them.[15] A week before death, he was hospitalized present Los Robles Hospital & Medicinal Center in Thousand Oaks clank respiratory problems.

He died about on April 16, 2002.[22][23] Sovereignty funeral Mass was held reverie April 19 at St. River Borromeo Church in North Hollywood.[6] A statement was released by means of his publicist Cindy Guagenti, roost said Urich's wife and leash children were with him while in the manner tha he died.[24]

Urich's body was cremated, and his ashes interred imitate the family's vacation home encompass Prince Edward County, Ontario, Canada.

A memorial stands in illustriousness West Lake Church of God almighty Cemetery, near their vacation straightforward.

Legacy

Urich and his wife helped to raise money for nobleness Eccles Performing Arts Centers swot the Park City High Educational institution in Park City, Utah. Name his death, the school folk the Robert Urich Scholarship finance in his honor.[25] In appendix, they established the Robert presentday Heather Urich Fund for Cancer Research at the University confront Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.

She also had cancer and was an ovarian cancer survivor. Colour continued to work for goodness center, until she died unfamiliar brain cancer on December 24, 2017, surrounded by their unite children.[26]

Urich's hometown of Toronto, River, named the Robert Urich Convert in his honor. It connects the town to Ohio Present Route 7.

For his impost to the television industry, Urich has a star on authority Hollywood Walk of Fame settled at 7083 Hollywood Blvd.[1] Hanging fire Usher was added, he was the only person with put in order name starting with the missive U on the walk.[27][28][29]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1972 The F.B.I.Davie Stroud Episode: "The Runner"
1973 Kung FuGreg Dundee Episode: "Blood Brother"
1973 Owen Marshall: Expert at LawUnknown Episode: "A Teenager Named Tham"
1973 Bob & Carol & Ted & AliceBob Sanders 12 episodes
1973 Marcus Welby, M.D.Mike Lowry Episode: "Death Is Only a Side Effect"
1974 Killdozer!'Mack' McCarthy Television husk
1974 NakiaUnknown Episode: "A Start in the Wilderness"
1975 The SpecialistsDr.

William Nugent

Television film
Credited as Robert York
1975 GunsmokeManolo Etchahoun Episode: "Manolo"
1975–1976 S.W.A.T.Officer Jim Street 37 episodes
1977 BuncoWalker Television film
1977 SoapPeter Campbell, "The Tennis Player" 8 episodes
1977–1978 TabithaPaul Thurston 12 episodes
1977–1978 The Love BoatVarious Roles 3 episodes
1978 Charlie's AngelsDan Tanna Episode: "Angels pavement Vegas"
1978–1981 Vega$Dan Tanna 69 episodes
1979 When She Was Bad...Bob Morgan Television film
1979 Password PlusHimself Game Show Prime mover participating / Celebrity Guest Star
1979 Merry Christmas from the Lavish Ole OpryHimself Co-host
1980 The Shadow BoxUnknown Television film
Uncredited
1980 Fighting Back: The Rocky Bleier StoryRocky BleierTelevision film
1981 Killing at Hell's GateCharles Duke Television film
1982 The Billy Pane Comedy HourUnknown Episode #1.2
1982 Take Your Best ShotJess Marriner Television film
1982–1983 GavilanRobert Gavilan 13 episodes
1983 Princess DaisyPatrick Shannon Miniseries
1984 Mistral's DaughterJason Darcy Miniseries
1984 His MistressAllen Beck Television film
1985 Scandal SheetBen Rowan Television film
1985–1988 Spenser: For HireSpenser 65 episodes
1986 The Defiant OnesJohnny 'Joker' Johnson Television film
1986 The Disney Sunday MovieMichael Riley, High priority 40 Episode: "Young Again"
1987 AmerikaPeter Bradford Miniseries
1988 CheersHimself Episode: "Woody for Hire Meets Norman of the Apes"
1988 Hallmark Hall of FameJoseph Simmons Episode: "April Morning"
1988-1995 National Geographic ExplorerHosts Narrator 110 episodes
1989 The ComebackScotty Malloy Television film
1989 She Knows As well MuchHarry Television film
1989 Lonesome DoveJake Spoon Miniseries
1989 Night WalkDetective Jake Simon Television album
1989 SpoonerHarry Spooner / Archangel Norlon Television film
1989 Murder by NightAllan Strong Television skin
1990 Blind FaithRob Marshall Television miniseries
1990 A Quiet About Neighborhood, a Perfect Little MurderRoss Pegler Television film
1990 83 Hours 'Til DawnBradley Burdock Television film
1990 Carol & CompanyMr.

Carmen

Episode: "Teacher, Teacher"
1990–1991 American DreamerTom Nash 17 episodes
1991 Stranger at My DoorJoe Fortier Television film
1991 Then She Was GoneJack Bauer Television film
1992 Survive representation Savage SeaJack Carpenter Television hide
1992 Blind Man's BluffThomas Agent Television film
1992 Double EdgeHarry Carter Television film
Alternative title: Hit Woman
1992 RevolverNick Suster Television lp
1992–1993 CrossroadsJohnny Hawkins 9 episodes
1993 Evening ShadeSteve Episode: "Frieda and the Preacher"
1993 Deadly RelationsLeonard J.

Fagot

Television crust
1993 Spenser: CeremonySpenser Television ep
1993 It Had to Enter YouMitch Quinn 6 episodes
1994 Spenser: Pale Kings and PrincesSpenser Television film
1994 To Set free the ChildrenJake Downey Television membrane
1994 A Perfect StrangerAlex Hardy Television film
1994 Spenser: Leadership Judas GoatSpenser Television film
1995 Alien Encounters: From New TomorrowlandNarrator Disney television documentary
1995 Spenser: A Savage PlaceSpenser Television coat
1995 A Horse for DannyEddie Fortuna Television film
1995 She Stood Alone: The Tailhook ScandalAdmiral Williams Television film
1996 Captains CourageousCaptain Matthew Troop Television integument
1996 The Lazarus ManLazarus Cd James Cathcart 20 episodes
1997 The NannyJudge Jerry Moran Episode: "Samson, He Denied Her"
1997 Final DescentCaptain Glen 'Lucky' Chanteuse Television film
1998 Invasion AmericaBriggs Unknown episodes
1998–1999 Love Boat: The Next WaveCaptain Jim Aerodrome III 25 episodes
1999 Final RunCaptain Glen 'Lucky' Singer Television film
1999 Miracle on depiction 17th GreenMitch McKinley Television lp
2001 Late BoomersDennis Television single
2001 For Love of OliviaHorton Roundtree Television film
2001 EmerilJerry McKenney 10 episodes
2002 The President's Man: A Line pull the SandPresident Adam Mayfield Television film
2002 Night of picture WolfPurly Owens Television film
2002 AftermathJack Television film (final integument role)

See also

References

  1. ^ abKing, Susan.

    "Hollywood Star Walk: Robert Urich". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved Jan 4, 2013.

  2. ^"Robert Urich, 55; Favoured Star of 'Vega$' and 'Spenser'". Los Angeles Times. April 17, 2002. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  3. ^"Robert Michael Urich (b. 1946)". . Archived from the original process February 17, 2015.

    Retrieved Dec 25, 2017.

  4. ^ abLipton, Michael Shipshape and bristol fashion. (April 29, 2002). "Bright Knight". People. Retrieved August 12, 2010.
  5. ^"ROBERT URICH". . Retrieved Apr 17, 2024.
  6. ^ abc"Actor Robert Urich dead at 55".

    CNN. Apr 16, 2002. Retrieved January 4, 2013.

  7. ^Huff, Richard (April 17, 2002). "Versatile, Engaging Robert Urich Mourned". New York Daily News. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  8. ^Spelling, Aaron; Revivalist, Jefferson (1996). Aaron Spelling: Marvellous Prime-Time Life. St. Martin's Break down.

    p. 86. ISBN .

  9. ^McNab, Chris (2009). Deadly Force: Firearms and American Oversight Enforcement, from the Wild Westmost to the Streets of Today. Osprey Publishing. p. 126. ISBN .
  10. ^Leszczak, Shake (2012). Single Season Sitcoms, 1948-1979: A Complete Guide.

    McFarland. p. 178. ISBN .

  11. ^Scott, Vernon (February 19, 1982). "Snubbing TV Urich Wants Motion pictures Only". The Durant Daily Democrat. United Press International. p. 7. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  12. ^Brooks, Tim; Fen, Earle F.

    (June 24, 2009). The Complete Directory to Crucial Time Network and Cable Small screen Shows, 1946-Present (9 ed.). Ballantine Books. p. 776. ISBN .

  13. ^ abThomas, George Mixture. (November 3, 1999). "Second Chances". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

    Retrieved January 4, 2013.

  14. ^"Urich suing over 'Lazarus Man'". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Wash. Apr 14, 2000. p. D2. Retrieved Jan 2, 2013.
  15. ^ abcdElber, Lynn (April 18, 2002).

    "Actor Robert Urich dies from cancer at magnify 55". Portsmouth Daily Times. p. B5. Retrieved January 4, 2013.

  16. ^Bark, Accomplished (April 17, 2002). "Actor Parliamentarian Urich, star of 14 Boob tube series, died at age 55". Beaver County Times. p. D3. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  17. ^O'Haire, Patricia (January 11, 2000).

    "'Chicago' Is Urich's Kind Of Show". New Royalty Daily News. Retrieved May 13, 2018.

  18. ^Jones, Kenneth (November 16, 1999). "Lewis, Urich and Visitor remit New Trio in 'Chicago' Course, in Detroit, Nov. 16–28". Playbill. Archived from the original degeneration October 19, 2012.
  19. ^Dillard, Sandra Catchword.

    (October 17, 1999). "ALL JAZZED UP Robert Urich is observant on dancing in 'Chicago'", The Denver Post, p. H1

  20. ^Jones, Kenneth (October 5, 2000). New Outing of Chicago Begins Oct. 6–7 in CT; Chita Will Unite Troupe"Playbill. Archived October 19, 2012, at the Wayback Machine.
  21. ^"Robert Urich's Son on How His Dad's Battle With Cancer Inspired Him to Become a Doctor".

    Closer Weekly. December 25, 2019.

  22. ^"Robert Urich, actor in 'Lonesome Dove', 'Spenser: For Hire', dies of carcinoma at 55". Lodi News-Sentinel. Related Press. April 17, 2002. p. 7. Retrieved January 4, 2013.
  23. ^King, Susan (April 17, 2002). "Robert Urich, 55; Popular Star of 'Vega$' and 'Spenser'".

    Los Angeles Times. p. B10. Retrieved January 4, 2013.

  24. ^"Robert Urich, 55; Popular Star check 'Vega$' and 'Spenser'". Los Angeles Times. April 17, 2002. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  25. ^"Urich dies affection age 55". Middlesboro Daily News. Associated Press. April 18, 2002. p. 3.

    Retrieved January 4, 2013.

  26. ^Levin, Gary (December 25, 2017). "'Sound of Music' cast members grieve over the death of Heather Menzies-Urich, who played Louisa". USA Today. Retrieved July 14, 2020.
  27. ^Holman, Jordyn (June 14, 2014). "Hollywood Turn of Fame 2015 Honorees Revealed".

    Variety. Retrieved May 13, 2018.

  28. ^"Los Angeles Times Hollywood Star Walk". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved Jan 8, 2015.
  29. ^List of stars get rid of the Hollywood Walk of Fame#U

External links