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{{otherpersons|Robert Wagner}} {{otherpersons|Robert Wagner}}


'''Robert John Wagner''' (born ], ] in ]) is an American ]. '''Robert John Wagner''' (born ], ] in ]) is an American ]. In his early days in Hollywood in the 1950s, he was mentored by the movie actor ]. He was represented by the agent Henry Willson, the man who created the "beef cake" craze of the 1950s, starting with ] and whose most famous client was ], whom Willson discovered and groomed for stardom.

In Robert Hofler's biography of the agent, "The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of
Henry Willson," Hofler revealed that Wagner was the most prominent client to break with him in the late 1950s, when his and Hudson's homosexuality became a topic of Hollywood gossip. Even for the straight actors represented by Willson, to be represented by a gay man in the 1950s meant that they likely were perceived as gay by a homophobic society, so Wagner and others abandoned him to preserve their masculine images and their careers.

Wagner's career as a supporting player in movies was solid in the 1950s, but his film career petered out in the 1960s (as did his first marriage to ]), and he turned to television, with great success. His notable roles include:


Notable roles include:
* Prince Valiant in "]" (]) * Prince Valiant in "]" (])
* Bud Corliss in "]" (]) * Bud Corliss in "]" (])
Line 14: Line 18:
* Jack Fairfield in "]" (]-) * Jack Fairfield in "]" (]-)


Wagner became particularly well-known for his on-off marriage Wagner gained a good deal of notoriety for his on-off marriage
to actress ], and was at hand when she drowned to actress ], who left him in the early 1960s for ]. They remarried in the 1970s, and Wagner was present when she drowned in mysterious circumstances.

in mysterious circumstances. Robert Wagner has been married Robert Wagner has been married
four times.
four times to three different women:
# ] (1957-1962) # ] (1957-1962)
# ] (1963-1970)- one daughter ] # ] (1963-1970)- one daughter ]
Line 23: Line 28:
# ] (1990- ) # ] (1990- )
In 1953, Robert wagner was nominated for the ] for Most Promising Newcomer in ]s for his performance in '']''. In 1970, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Best TV Actor" for his performance in "It Takes a Thief" and for four Golden Globe awards for "Hart to Hart." In 1953, Wagner was nominated for the ] for Most Promising Newcomer in ]s for his performance in '']''. In 1970, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Best TV Actor" for his performance in "It Takes a Thief" and for four Golden Globe awards for "Hart to Hart."


Revision as of 22:19, 16 November 2005

For other people named Robert Wagner, see Robert Wagner (disambiguation).

Robert John Wagner (born 10 February, 1930 in Detroit, Michigan) is an American actor. In his early days in Hollywood in the 1950s, he was mentored by the movie actor Clifton Webb. He was represented by the agent Henry Willson, the man who created the "beef cake" craze of the 1950s, starting with Guy Madison and whose most famous client was Rock Hudson, whom Willson discovered and groomed for stardom.

In Robert Hofler's biography of the agent, "The Man Who Invented Rock Hudson: The Pretty Boys and Dirty Deals of Henry Willson," Hofler revealed that Wagner was the most prominent client to break with him in the late 1950s, when his and Hudson's homosexuality became a topic of Hollywood gossip. Even for the straight actors represented by Willson, to be represented by a gay man in the 1950s meant that they likely were perceived as gay by a homophobic society, so Wagner and others abandoned him to preserve their masculine images and their careers.

Wagner's career as a supporting player in movies was solid in the 1950s, but his film career petered out in the 1960s (as did his first marriage to Natalie Wood), and he turned to television, with great success. His notable roles include:

Wagner gained a good deal of notoriety for his on-off marriage to actress Natalie Wood, who left him in the early 1960s for Warren Betty. They remarried in the 1970s, and Wagner was present when she drowned in mysterious circumstances.

Robert Wagner has been married four times to three different women:

  1. Natalie Wood (1957-1962)
  2. Marion Marshall (1963-1970)- one daughter Katie
  3. Natalie Wood (1972-1981) - one daughter Courtney & one stepdaughter Natasha Gregson
  4. Jill St. John (1990- )

In 1953, Wagner was nominated for the Golden Globe Award for Most Promising Newcomer in motion pictures for his performance in Stars and Stripes Forever. In 1970, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for "Best TV Actor" for his performance in "It Takes a Thief" and for four Golden Globe awards for "Hart to Hart."


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