Bob Hastings facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bob Hastings
Hastings in 2008
Born	Robert Francis Hastings (1925-04-18)April 18, 1925 Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Died	June 30, 2014(2014-06-30) (aged 89) Burbank, California, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Hollywood Hills, California, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1936–2013
Spouse(s)	Joan Rice-Hastings (m. 1948)
Children	4

Robert Francis Hastings (born April 18, 1925 – died June 30, 2014) was an American actor. He was famous for playing Lt. Elroy Carpenter on the TV show McHale's Navy. He also voiced Commissioner James Gordon in the DC Animated Universe cartoons.

Early Life and Radio Days

Robert Hastings was born in Brooklyn, New York. His father was a salesman. Robert started performing at a young age as a boy singer. He appeared on radio shows like National Barn Dance and Doug Gray's Singing Gang. He also played the character Jerry on the radio program The Sea Hound.

During World War II, Hastings served in the United States Army Air Corps. He was a navigator on B-29 planes.

From Radio to TV: Robert Hastings' Career

Hastings in a 1946 photo

After his military service, Hastings returned to acting. From 1945 to 1953, he played the main character, Archie Andrews, on an NBC Radio series. This show was based on the popular Archie comic books. Hastings also lent his voice to many characters on the radio show X Minus One. Sometimes, he even voiced several characters in one episode!

In 1949, Hastings started working in television. He appeared in early science-fiction shows like Atom Squad. In 1954, he was a magician in TV commercials for Bakers Instant Cocoa Mix. His first regular TV role was as a lieutenant on Phil Silvers' Sergeant Bilko show in the late 1950s. He also appeared in Captain Video. In that show, he played the brother of "The Video Ranger," who was played by his real-life brother, Don Hastings.

TV Roles in the 1960s and 1970s

Most of Robert Hastings' career was spent on television. He appeared in two episodes of CBS's Green Acres. He was also cast as Lt. Bolt in an episode of Hennesey. Hastings guest-starred in many other shows. These included Room for One More and Window on Main Street. He also played a Russian pilot named Igor Piotkin on Hogan's Heroes.

In 1962, he appeared in the Western series The Tall Man. He was on Dennis the Menace five times. One of his most notable roles was Coach Gilmore in "The Big Basketball Game" episode.

Hastings became well-known for playing Lieutenant Elroy Carpenter on ABC's McHale's Navy. He was the aide to Captain Binghamton (Joe Flynn). McHale and his crew often called him "Carpy" or "Little Leadbottom." After McHale's Navy, Hastings continued to act in many films. These included Did You Hear the One About the Traveling Saleslady? (1968) and The Poseidon Adventure (1972). He also played Skeeter Duggan in Harper Valley PTA (1978).

Voice Acting Work

Robert Hastings was also a talented voice actor. He voiced Superboy in The New Adventures of Superboy cartoons in the 1960s. He was D.D. on Hanna-Barbera's Clue Club.

One of his most famous voice roles was Commissioner James Gordon. He voiced this character in the DC Animated Universe and several Batman video games. He also voiced Henry Glopp on Jeannie and Fred Flintstone and Friends. He lent his voice to characters on Challenge of the Superfriends.

Hastings enjoyed attending "Old-Time Radio" conventions. He would read scripts from old shows like Archie Andrews.

Personal Life

Robert Hastings was the older brother of Don Hastings. Don was a star on the TV show As the World Turns for many years. Robert married Joan Rice in 1948. They were married for 66 years. When he passed away, they had four children, 10 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.

Bob Hastings died on June 30, 2014. He was 89 years old and passed away from prostate cancer.

Filmography