Robert Alda facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Alda
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Alda in 1976
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| Born |
Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo
February 26, 1914 |
| Died | May 3, 1986 (aged 72) |
| Resting place | Forest Lawn Memorial Park, Glendale, California, USA |
| Occupation | Actor singer dancer |
| Years active | 1935–1984 |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children |
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| Relatives | Beatrice Alda (granddaughter), Arlene Alda (daughter-in-law) |
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Robert Alda was an American actor, singer, and dancer. He was born on February 26, 1914, with the name Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo. He passed away on May 3, 1986.
Robert Alda was the father of two other famous actors: Alan Alda and Antony Alda. He performed in many shows on Broadway, which is a famous theater district in New York City. In the 1960s, he moved to Italy and appeared in many European movies. He sometimes came back to the U.S. for film roles.
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Robert Alda's Early Life
Robert Alda was born in New York City. His parents were Frances and Antonio D'Abruzzo. His father was a barber from Italy. Robert Alda graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York in 1930.
Robert Alda's Career Highlights
Robert Alda started his career as a singer and dancer. He won a talent contest and then performed in vaudeville shows. These were popular shows with different acts like music, comedy, and dance. He also performed in burlesque, which was a type of comedy show.
In 1949, Robert Alda toured with Jack Carson and Marion Hutton. This was part of Jack Carson's radio program.
Famous Roles on Stage and Screen
Robert Alda is well-known for playing the famous composer George Gershwin in the movie Rhapsody in Blue (1945). He also played a talent agent in the movie Imitation of Life (1959).
On Broadway, he was the first actor to play the role of Sky Masterson in the musical Guys and Dolls (1950). For this role, he won a Tony Award, which is a very important award for theater. He also starred in another Broadway show called What Makes Sammy Run? (1964).
Robert Alda also hosted a TV game show called What's Your Bid? in 1953. In the mid-1950s, he starred in a TV series called Secret Files USA. In this show, he played an agent named Colonel Bill Morgan.
Guest Appearances with His Sons
Robert Alda appeared on the popular TV show M*A*S*H twice. His son, Alan Alda, was a main actor on that show. Robert Alda played Dr. Anthony Borelli in the episodes "The Consultant" (1975) and "Lend a Hand" (1980). In the "Lend a Hand" episode, his younger son, Antony Alda, also appeared.
Robert Alda's Family Life
Robert Alda was married twice. His first wife was Joan Browne. She was a homemaker and had won a beauty pageant. They had a son together, Alan Alda. They divorced in 1946.
His second wife was Flora Marino, an Italian actress. They met in Rome. They had a son named Antony Alda. Robert Alda and Flora Marino were married until he passed away.
Robert Alda's Passing
Robert Alda died on May 3, 1986. He was 72 years old. He had been ill for a long time after having a stroke. He is buried in the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California.
Theater Shows
Here are some of the theater productions Robert Alda was in:
- Guys and Dolls (1950–1953)
- Harbor Lights (1956)
- Roger the Sixth (1957)
- Can-Can (1963)
- What Makes Sammy Run? (1964–1965)
- Riverwind (1966)
- My Daughter, Your Son (1969)
- The Front Page (1969–1970)
- Follies (1973)
- The Sunshine Boys (1974-1975)
Movies and TV Shows
Here are some of the movies and TV shows Robert Alda appeared in:
- Rhapsody in Blue (1945) as George Gershwin
- Cinderella Jones (1946) as Tommy Coles
- Cloak and Dagger (1946) as Pinkie
- The Beast with Five Fingers (1946) as Bruce Conrad
- The Man I Love (1947) as Nicky Toresca
- Nora Prentiss (1947) as Phil Dinardo
- Bungalow 13 (1948)
- April Showers (1948) as Billy Shay
- Homicide (1949) as Andy
- Hollywood Varieties (1950) as Master of Ceremonies
- Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950) as Neil
- Mister Universe (1951) as Fingers Maroni
- Two Gals and a Guy (1951) as Deke Oliver
- Beautiful But Dangerous (1955) as Maestro Doria
- Assignment Abroad (1955) as Major Bill Morgan
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1959) (Episode: "The Morning After") as Ben Nelson
- Imitation of Life (1959) as Allen Loomis
- The Millionaire (TV series) (1959) as Gilbert Patterson
- Un militare e mezzo (1960) as Roy Harrison
- Cleopatra's Daughter (1960) as Inuni
- Revenge of the Barbarians (1960) as Ataulf
- The Devil's Hand (1961) as Rick Turner
- Force of Impulse (1961) as Warren Reese
- Toto and Peppino Divided in Berlin (1962) as the Judge
- Musketeers of the Sea (1962) as Vice Governatore Gomez
- All Woman (1966) as Wally
- The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1969) as Kenneth Allardice
- Night Flight from Moscow (1973) as Polygraph Interrogator
- M*A*S*H (1975–1980, TV series) as Dr Anthony Borelli
- Cagliostro (1975) as Pope Clement XIII
- The House of Exorcism (1975) as Father Michael
- Natale in casa d'appuntamento (1976)
- I Will, I Will... for Now (1976) as Dr. Magnus
- Won Ton Ton, the Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976) as Richard Entwhistle
- Bittersweet Love (1976) as Ben Peterson
- The Rip-Off (1978) as Captain Donati
- The Rockford Files (1978, TV series) as Cy Margulies
- Every Girl Should Have One (1978) as Adam Becker
- Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978) as Mr. White
- Supertrain (1979, TV series) as Dan Lewis
- Days of Our Lives (1981–82) as Stuart Whyland
- Amanda's (1983, TV series) as Mr. Gordon (final appearance)
