Bob Dornan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Dornan
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from California
In office January 3, 1985 – January 3, 1997
Preceded by	Jerry M. Patterson
Succeeded by	Loretta Sanchez
Constituency	38th district (1985–1993) 46th district (1993–1997)
In office January 3, 1977 – January 3, 1983
Preceded by	Alphonzo E. Bell Jr.
Succeeded by	Mel Levine
Constituency	27th district
Personal details
Born	Robert Kenneth Dornan (1933-04-03) April 3, 1933 (age 92) New York City, New York, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Spouse	Sallie Hansen ​ (m. 1955)​
Children	5
Education	Loyola Marymount University

Robert Kenneth Dornan (born April 3, 1933) is an American politician, actor, and former combat pilot. He served as a Republican in the United States House of Representatives, representing parts of Southern California. He was in Congress from 1977 to 1983 and again from 1985 to 1997.

Dornan was known for his strong conservative views and his dramatic way of speaking. This made him a well-known figure in American politics. Before becoming a politician, he was an actor and a talk show host. In 1996, he ran for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.

Early Life and Military Service

Robert Dornan was born in New York City. His parents worked in the entertainment industry. His mother was a performer, and his father owned a men's clothing store. The family later moved to West Los Angeles, where his father became a real estate developer.

From 1950 to 1953, Dornan attended Loyola University of Los Angeles. At age 19, he joined the United States Air Force and became a fighter pilot. During his service, he safely handled several emergencies, including two parachute ejections and two "dead stick" landings where the plane's engine had failed.

He was on active duty until 1958 and reached the rank of captain. He continued to serve in the California Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve until 1975. Dornan also worked as a combat journalist and photographer during the Vietnam War.

Career in Entertainment and Politics

Acting and Television

Before entering politics, Dornan worked as an actor. He starred in the 1964 movie The Starfighters as an Air Force pilot. He also had roles in popular TV shows like Dennis the Menace, Bewitched, and I Dream of Jeannie.

He had a regular role as Captain Fowler in the TV series 12 O'Clock High. From 1967 to 1973, he hosted his own television talk shows in Los Angeles and won an Emmy award.

Entering the World of Politics

Dornan became interested in politics and said he was active in the civil rights movement. He attended the 1963 March on Washington, where Martin Luther King Jr. gave his famous "I Have a Dream" speech. He also said he helped with voter registration for African Americans in Mississippi.

In 1976, Dornan was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented a district in western Los Angeles County. He was a strong supporter of building the B-1 bomber airplane, which earned him the nickname "B-1 Bob."

In 1982, he ran for the U.S. Senate but did not win the Republican primary. He then moved to Orange County and was elected to Congress again in 1984, representing a new district. He was re-elected four more times.

Dornan on the ladder of an F-16 Fighting Falcon jet during a visit to Torrejon Air Base, Spain, in 1988.

Time in Congress

Dornan was known for his strong conservative beliefs. However, he also supported some laws to protect animals, which earned him praise from the animal rights group PETA in 1988.

He sometimes had heated disagreements with other politicians. In 1985, he had a confrontation on the House floor with Representative Thomas Downey of New York. In 1995, the House of Representatives officially reprimanded him for a comment he made about President Bill Clinton.

During a 1994 campaign, signs were posted at voting locations in Spanish. The signs suggested that voters might need to prove their citizenship. Some believed this action discouraged some Latino voters from coming to the polls.

Presidential Campaign and Later Career

Dornan ran for president in 1996.

In 1996, Dornan ran for President of the United States but was not successful in getting the Republican nomination. He then ran for re-election to his House seat but lost to Democrat Loretta Sanchez by a very small number of votes.

Dornan claimed that the election was won by Sanchez because of votes from non-U.S. citizens. The House of Representatives investigated for over a year. They found 748 votes that were cast improperly. However, this was not enough to change the election result, and Sanchez kept her seat.

In 1997, Dornan had another confrontation on the House floor, this time with Representative Bob Menendez. Because of this, the House voted to bar Dornan from the floor until the election dispute was settled.

Dornan ran against Sanchez again in 1998 but lost. He later hosted a nationally syndicated radio talk show. In 2004, he tried to run for Congress again but was defeated in the Republican primary.

Personal Life

Dornan married Sallie Hansen in 1955. Together, they have five children.

Film and Television Roles

Film

Television