Robert Fuller was born in Tory, New York. He and his mother moved to Florida when he was 5 years old, where he later attended Miami
MilitaryAcademy. After his mother
remarried the family moved to Chicago for a year
and then moved to Key West,
Florida, where he attended high
school. After completing school he moved to Hollywood with his parents, who were both
dancers.
Bob began working in films as a stunt man and a dancer. He
appeared in such films as Gentlemen Prefer
Blondes with Marilyn Monroe,
I Love
Melvin with Debbie Reynolds and
Meet
Me in Las Vegas with Cyd Charise. His career was put on hold, however, while
he served in the army infantry during the Korean Conflict. After completing his
tour of duty, Bob returned to the states where he joined Richard Boone’s acting
class. Richard Boone eventually convinced Bob to continue his studies in
New York
with Sanford Meisner, at the Neighborhood Playhouse. After completing his
studies in New York, Bob returned to Hollywood.
Bob began to get the attention of the industry with
appearances in numerous television shows, including Lux Playhouse of the Stars,
Alcoa Premier, Kraft Suspense, Bob Hope ChryslerTheater. Bob’s big break came
in 1959 with the starring role of Jess Harper, in the hit series Laramie. During
Laramie’s
four-year run, Bob’s career skyrocketed, not only in the USA, but also in West
Germany, where he won five Gold Otto Awards (Germany’s equivalent to the Emmy
Award) and in Japan, where he won Japan’s best actor’s award in 1961. Bob also
received the highest award ever given to an American at that time; “The Golden
Order of Merit,” awarded under the direction of the Emperor of Japan and
presented by the Japanese Red Cross for his work with physically challenged and
orphaned Japanese children.
At the conclusion of Laramie, Universal Studios offered Bob the role of the
scout, Cooper Smith, on the long-running series Wagon Train. Bob also did a
number of guest star appearances for TV and worked in films such as Return of
the Magnificent Seven, WhateverHappened to Aunt Alice, Incident at Phantom
Hill, Sinai Commandoes, and The Hard Ride. It was his performance in
The Hard
Ride as a veteran Marine returning home from Vietnam, that prompted Jack Webb to
cast him as Dr. Kelly Brackett in the NBC series Emergency.
Bob has not limited himself to one medium, having done some
state work, which he really enjoyed. He had lead roles in plays included Wait
Until Dark, Mr. Roberts, Boeing, Boeing, and Neil Simon’s Chapter Two.
Bob’s distinctive voice has been heard on many promotional
announcements and commercials, both voice-over and on camera. Bob was also the
national Spokesperson for seven years for Teledyne Water-Pik and for Budweiser
Malt Liquor.
An avid outdoorsman, Bob has been able to put his skills to
good use. His love of fishing made his job as the on-camera host of the
syndicated sport shows Fishing Fever, Blue WaterChallenge, and
Colorado River
Adventure one of the most enjoyable of his career. Bob is an expert horseman,
has won many awards for marksmanship, and is a tennis player, which gives him
the opportunity to participate in fund-raising Celebrity charity events, such as
trap and skeet or tennis tournaments. He also uses his outdoor skills to help
the Wildlife Way Station and other charities which are important to him.
Three long-running television series, films, theater and
awards…Bob says that seeing his star included on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
(just blocks fro the famous Grauman’s Chinese Theater where he worked as a young
aspiring actor), is still one of his most personally satisfying experiences.
