Robert Alda
Robert Alda was an American theatrical and film actor. He was the father of actors Alan and Antony Alda. Alda was featured in a number of Broadway productions, then moved to Italy during the early 1960s. He appeared in many European films over the next two decades, occasionally returning to the U.S. for film appearances such as The Girl Who Knew Too Much.
Career
He began his performing career as a singer and dancer in vaudeville after winning a talent contest, and moved on to burlesque.
In 1949, as part of the Jack Carson's radio program, Alda toured with Jack Carson and Marion Hutton.
Alda is known for portraying George Gershwin in the biographical film Rhapsody in Blue as well as the talent agent in the Douglas Sirk classic Imitation of Life. On Broadway, he originated the role of Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls, for which he won a Tony Award, and starred in What Makes Sammy Run?. He was also the host of the DuMont TV version of the game show What's Your Bid?.
In the mid-1950s, Alda starred as espionage agent Colonel Bill Morgan in the syndicated TV series Secret Files USA, the episodes of which were based on stories from American intelligence services. He was host of the TV game show Can Do in 1956.
His son Alan said "He was very famous but he hardly made much money because that was at a time when Warner had those seven-year contracts."
Alda made two guest appearances with Alan on M*A*S*H, in the episodes "The Consultant" and, also with his younger son Antony Alda, "Lend a Hand".
Alda appeared in an episode of The Feather & Father Gang in 1977.
Personal life
Alda's first wife, and mother of actor Alan Alda, Joan Browne, was a homemaker and former beauty pageant winner. They divorced in 1946.
Death
Alda died on May 3, 1986, aged 72, two years after suffering a stroke from which he never fully recovered. He is buried in the Garden of Ascension lot 9101 Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California.
Acting credits
Selected filmography
Rhapsody in Blue as George GershwinCinderella Jones as Tommy ColesCloak and Dagger as PinkieThe Beast with Five Fingers as Bruce ConradThe Man I Love as Nicky TorescaNora Prentiss as Phil Dinardo, Cafe OwnerBungalow 13 April Showers as Billy ShayHomicide as AndyHollywood Varieties as Master of CeremoniesTarzan and the Slave Girl as NeilMister Universe as Fingers MaroniTwo Gals and a Guy as Deke OliverBeautiful But Dangerous as Maestro DoriaAssignment Abroad as Major Bill MorganAlfred Hitchcock Presents as Ben NelsonImitation of Life as Allen LoomisThe Millionaire (TV series) episode "The Julia Conrad Story" as Gilbert Patterson, with co-star Ellen DrewUn militare e mezzo as Roy HarrisonCleopatra's Daughter as Inuni, Pharaoh's ArchitectRevenge of the Barbarians as AtaulfThe Devil's Hand as Rick TurnerForce of Impulse as Warren ReeseToto and Peppino Divided in Berlin as the JudgeMusketeers of the Sea as Vice Governatore GomezAll Woman as WallyThe Girl Who Knew Too Much as Kenneth AllardiceNight Flight from Moscow as Polygraph InterrogatorM*A*S*H as Dr Anthony Borelli in "The Consultant" Cagliostro as Pope Clement XIIIThe House of Exorcism as Father MichaelNatale in casa d'appuntamento I Will, I Will... for Now as Dr. MagnusWon Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood as Richard EntwhistleBittersweet Love as Ben PetersonThe Rip-Off as Captain DonatiThe Rockford Files as Cy MarguliesEvery Girl Should Have One as Adam BeckerSpider-Man Strikes Back as Mr. WhiteSupertrain as Dan LewisDays of Our Lives as Stuart WhylandThe Love Boat episode "Take a Letter, Vicki; The Floating Bridge Game; The Joy of Celibacy" as Dr. Frank LeonhardtAmanda's as Mr. Gordon
Theater
Guys and Dolls — Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a MusicalHarbor Lights Roger the Sixth Can-Can What Makes Sammy Run? Riverwind My Daughter, Your Son The Front Page Follies