Robert Urich

Robert Urich (left), Maureen Reagan and Jack Hogan pose for a promotional photo for the TV show Vector in 1974

Robert Michael Urich (born December 19, 1946 in Toronto , Ohio , † April 16, 2002 in Thousand Oaks , California ) was an American actor .

Life

Urich played American football in his youth at Florida State University , from which he graduated with a bachelor's degree. He then earned a Masters degree from Michigan State University . After finishing his studies, he worked for a short time as a weather forecast moderator for a local broadcaster. He initially starred in series such as Kung Fu and Smoking Colts and also had a minor supporting role in Dirty Harry II - Calahan . However, he only had his breakthrough as an actor in 1975, after the film producer Aaron Spelling cast him for one of the leading roles in the television series The Knallharten Five . Although the series was discontinued after almost two years, he was then able to continue his career with recurring roles in Soap - Trautes Heim und Tabitha . From 1978 to 1981 he played the lead role in the series Vegas and from 1985 to 1988 the title character in the crime series Spenser .

1996 Urich announced that with him a rare type of cancer that synovial sarcoma , had been diagnosed. As a result, he became involved in cancer research and donated several sums of his fortune to the University of Michigan . Despite his cancer, he continued his career as an actor and appeared in several films and television productions almost every year. In 2002, the year he died, he also took part in two films.

Urich was married to actress Heather Menzies-Urich , with whom he adopted three children.

Filmography (selection)

• 1972: FBI (TV series, episode)
• 1973: Dirty Harry II - Calahan
• 1973: Owen Marshall - Defense Attorney (TV series, episode)
• 1973: Kung Fu (TV series, an episode)
• 1973: Dr. med. Marcus Welby (TV series, an episode)
• 1973: Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (TV series)
• 1974: Killdozer
• 1974: Nakia, the Indian sheriff (TV series, episode)
• 1975: The Specialists
• 1975: The Bad Five (TV series)
• 1975: Smoking Colts (TV series, an episode)
• 1976: Tabitha (TV series)
• 1977: Soap - Trautes Heim (TV series, seven episodes)
• 1977: Bunco
• 1978: Forget What Was Yesterday (Leave Yesterday Behind)
• 1978: Charlie's Angels (TV series, episode)
• 1977–1978: Love Boat (TV series, 3 episodes)
• 1978–1981: Vegas (TV series)
• 1980: Hard times for Guardian Angels (Fighting Back)
• 1981: Killing at Hell's Gate
• 1982: Endangered Species
• 1982–1983: Gavilan (TV series)
• 1984: Ice Pirate War
• 1984: Exit Exit into Nowhere (Invitation to Hell)
• 1985: Deadly Headlines (Scandal Sheet)
• 1985: The Rascal (Turk 182)
• 1985–1988: Spenser (TV series, 65 episodes)
• 1986: Escape in chains
• 1986: Captains Courageous
• 1987: America (TV series)
• 1988: Cheers (an episode)
• 1989: The Call of the Eagle. Alternative title: Way in the wilderness (Lonesome Dove) (TV Series)
• 1989: The Murder Beast with the Hammer (Murder by night)
• 1990–91: American Dreamer (series, 17 episodes)
• 1991: The Stranger From The Subway (... And Then She Was Gone)
• 1991: Race against Death (Stranger at My Door)
• 1992: Survive the Savage Sea
• 1992–1993: Crossroads (TV series)
• 1993: The Beast Behind the Mask (Deadly Relations)
• 1993: It had to be you (TV series)
• 1993: Spenser: daughter from a good family (ceremony)
• 1994: Spenser: The Drug Cartel (Pale Kings and Princes)
• 1994: Spenser: The Assassination (The Judas Goat)
• 1995: Spenser: In mortal danger (A Savage Place)
• 1995: A horse for Danny
• 1995: Brutal excesses - scandal in the Navy
• 1995: Jock - a dog's adventure in Africa
• 1996: The Lazarus Man
• 1997: The Nanny (TV series, episode)
• 1997: Air crash - disaster during take-off
• 1998–1999: Love Boat - The Next Wave (TV series)
• 1999: Miracle with Handicap ( Miracle on the 17th Green )
• 1999: Final Speed ​​- Stop the Death Train!
• 2001: Emeril (TV series)
• 2001: Decision in Clover Bend (Clover Bend)
• 2002: McCord - The President's Man II
• 2003: Night of the Wolf
• 2003: Final (Aftermath)

Awards

• 1980: Golden Globe Award nomination for Vegas
• 1981: Golden Globe Award nomination for Vegas
• 1986: Golden Raspberry nomination for Turk 182!
• 1995: Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on Hollywood Boulevard

Web links

Commons : Robert Urich  - Collection of images, videos and audio files

• Robert Urich in the Internet Movie Database (English)
• Robert Urich (Fanpage)