Robert Cummings facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Cummings
Cummings in 1956
Born	Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings (1910-06-09)June 9, 1910 Joplin, Missouri U.S.
Died	December 2, 1990(1990-12-02) (aged 80) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Resting place	Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Other names	Bob Cummings Blade Stanhope Conway Bryce Hutchens
Alma mater	American Academy of Dramatic Arts
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1931–1990
Political party	Republican
Spouse(s)	Emma Myers ​ ​ (m. 1931; div. 1933)​ Vivi Janiss ​ ​ (m. 1935; div. 1943)​ Mary Elliott ​ ​ (m. 1945; div. 1970)​ Gina Fong ​ ​ (m. 1971; div. 1987)​ Martha Burzynski ​ (m. 1989)​

Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings (June 9, 1910 – December 2, 1990) was a famous American actor. He starred in many movies and TV shows. You might know him from comedies like The Devil and Miss Jones (1941) and Princess O'Rourke (1943). He also appeared in exciting thrillers by Alfred Hitchcock, such as Saboteur (1942) and Dial M for Murder (1954). Robert Cummings was nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards. He won an Emmy in 1955 for his amazing acting in a single performance. He has two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his work in movies and television.

Early Life and Learning to Fly

Robert Cummings was born in Joplin, Missouri. His father was a surgeon, and his mother was a minister.

When he was in Joplin High School, Robert learned to fly airplanes. His first solo flight was on March 3, 1927. Some stories say that Orville Wright, a famous aviation pioneer, taught him to fly. However, this is not true. Robert himself said he learned to fly mostly by "trial and error" from a local plumber. While in high school, he even gave rides to people in his plane for $5!

Later, when the government started giving out licenses for flight instructors, Robert Cummings received certificate No. 1. This made him the very first official flight instructor in the United States.

Education and Acting Dreams

Robert briefly studied at Drury College. But because he loved flying so much, he moved to the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh. There, he studied how to build airplanes.

While at Carnegie Tech, Robert started acting in plays. He enjoyed it so much that he decided to become an actor. He then studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. He learned important acting rules there, like "never anticipate" and "take pride in my profession."

Starting His Acting Career

Pretending to Be British

In 1930, Robert Cummings struggled to find acting jobs. He noticed that many plays in New York were from England. English actors and accents were very popular. So, Robert came up with a clever plan.

He traveled to England and invented a new name: "Blade Stanhope Conway." He even paid someone to put his fake name on a theater sign in England. He took a picture of himself in front of the sign. Then, he sent these pictures and a letter, pretending to be "Blade" from a British theater, to many agents in New York.

When he returned to New York, his trick worked! He got several meetings. He was cast in a play called The Roof in 1931. Critics even praised his acting as "excellent." He also appeared in a Broadway show called Earl Carroll's Vanities in 1932.

Robert later encouraged a friend, Margaret Kies, to use a similar trick. She became the "British" actress Margaret Lindsay.

Changing His Name Again

In 1934, the demand for British actors changed. So, Robert changed his name again to "Bryce Hutchens." He appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies of 1934, a big show on Broadway. In this show, he sang a duet with Vivi Janiss. They later got married.

Becoming a Movie Star

Joining Paramount Pictures

After the Ziegfeld Follies tour ended in Los Angeles, Robert wanted to stay in Hollywood. He auditioned for a movie called So Red the Rose (1935). He pretended to be from Texas, using a fake accent he learned from listening to cowboy music. Even though his trick was discovered, he still got the part! Critics praised his acting and his "convincing accent."

Paramount Pictures then signed Robert Cummings to a long-term contract. He appeared in many films for them, including Desert Gold (1936) and Three Cheers for Love (1936). Most of these were smaller "B movies." He also had a small role in a bigger film, Souls at Sea (1937).

Eventually, Paramount decided not to renew his contract. Robert felt like "poison" in Hollywood.

Success at Universal Studios

In 1938, Robert got a big break. He auditioned for a romantic lead role in Three Smart Girls Grow Up (1939), starring Deanna Durbin. He told the producer he could "fake it" if he needed to sing or play music. Universal signed him to a seven-year contract.

Three Smart Girls Grow Up was a huge success! The director, Henry Koster, called Robert "brilliant, wonderful." He said Robert was the best leading man he ever worked with because he had great comedy talent and a romantic side. Critics were surprised by his "astonishing talent for light comedy."

Robert then starred in many more films for Universal and other studios. He appeared with Gloria Jean in The Under-Pup (1939) and romanced Deanna Durbin again in Spring Parade (1940). He also had a key role in Charlie McCarthy, Detective (1939).

He also became well-known for his role in the radio show Those We Love, which ran from 1938 to 1945.

Classic Films and Big Hits

Saboteur, 1942

Robert Cummings starred in many popular films during this time. He was in The Devil and Miss Jones (1941), which was a big success. He also appeared with Betty Grable in Moon Over Miami (1941).

He then starred in It Started with Eve (1941) with Deanna Durbin and Charles Laughton. Both It Started with Eve and Kings Row (1942) were huge hits.

One of his most famous roles was in Alfred Hitchcock's spy thriller Saboteur (1942). He played Barry Kane, an aircraft worker wrongly accused of being a spy. He tries to clear his name in an exciting adventure.

By late 1941, Robert Cummings was one of the most sought-after leading men in Hollywood.

Serving in World War II

In December 1941, Robert joined the Civil Air Patrol. This group of citizens and pilots helped the U.S. war effort. In 1942, he helped start a squadron in Glendale, California. He even helped search for a Japanese submarine that attacked an oil refinery.

During the war, Robert used his own airplanes, named "Spinach I" and "Spinach II," for search and rescue missions. He also flew courier missions and patrols. In November 1942, he joined the United States Army Air Forces and became a flight instructor. After the war, he continued to serve as a pilot in the United States Air Force Reserve, reaching the rank of captain.

Becoming a Freelance Star

After the war, Robert Cummings signed a contract with producer Hal Wallis. He starred in You Came Along (1945), where he played an Army Air Forces pilot. He also appeared in the comedy The Bride Wore Boots (1946).

Robert also started his own film production company called United California. He starred in films for his company, like the mystery The Chase (1946). He also appeared in The Lost Moment (1947) and Sleep, My Love (1948).

He continued to act in many movies for different studios. He was in The Accused (1949) and the thriller Reign of Terror (1949), set during the French Revolution. He also starred in comedies like Free for All (1949).

In 1949, he signed a deal with Columbia Pictures. He made films like Tell It to the Judge (1949) and The Petty Girl (1950). He also appeared in For Heaven's Sake (1950).

Robert also started working in television, appearing in shows like Sure as Fate and Somerset Maugham TV Theatre.

Television Star

My Hero and Dial M for Murder

Publicity photo for My Hero (1952–53)

In 1952, Robert Cummings got his first regular TV show, a comedy called My Hero. He played a clumsy real estate salesman. He even wrote and directed some episodes. The show ran for 33 episodes. He earned an Emmy nomination for his role.

After My Hero, Robert went to England to star in another Alfred Hitchcock film, Dial M for Murder (1954). He played the lover of Grace Kelly's character. This movie was a big hit.

Twelve Angry Men and Emmy Win

In 1954, Robert appeared in a TV play called Twelve Angry Men for Westinghouse Studio One. He played Juror Number Eight, a very important role. His performance was so good that he won the 1955 Emmy Award for Best Actor in a Single Performance.

The Bob Cummings Show

Ann B. Davis and Cummings in The Bob Cummings Show (rerun as Love That Bob)

With Rosemary DeCamp in 1959 for The Bob Cummings Show

In 1954, Robert started his own film production company, Laurel Productions. In January 1955, his new TV show, The Bob Cummings Show, began airing. It was a very successful sitcom (comedy show) on NBC. In reruns, it was known as Love That Bob.

Robert played Bob Collins, a former World War II pilot who became a successful photographer. His character was a bachelor in Los Angeles who thought he was a ladies' man. A fun part of the show was when Robert played his own elderly grandfather. His co-stars included Rosemary DeCamp as his sister and Ann B. Davis as his assistant.

Robert's performance on The Bob Cummings Show earned him another Emmy nomination in 1956. He also appeared as a host for the opening day of Disneyland in 1955, alongside Ronald Reagan.

He continued to act in other TV shows, including Playhouse 90 where he starred in "Bomber's Moon" (1958).

When The Bob Cummings Show ended in 1959, Robert said it was his choice because he was tired and wanted a break.

Later TV Shows and Movies

In 1960, Robert starred in "King Nine Will Not Return", an episode of The Twilight Zone. He also appeared in other TV shows like Zane Grey Theatre.

His next TV series was The New Bob Cummings Show (1961–1962) on CBS. It was similar to his first show, with Robert playing a pilot who had many adventures.

He returned to movies with a supporting role in My Geisha (1962). He was the main star in Beach Party (1963), a popular film that first brought together Frankie Avalon and Annette Funicello. He also had supporting roles in The Carpetbaggers (1964) and What a Way to Go! (1964).

Robert Cummings and Julie Newmar in a publicity still for My Living Doll

From 1964 to 1965, Robert starred in another CBS sitcom called My Living Doll. He played a scientist who lived with a robot named Rhoda, played by Julie Newmar.

Later Career and Retirement

Trailer screenshot for The Carpetbaggers (1964)

In the late 1960s, Robert continued to act in movies like Promise Her Anything (1966) and a remake of Stagecoach (1966). He also starred in Five Golden Dragons (1967).

He made guest appearances on many popular TV shows, including The Flying Nun, Green Acres, Bewitched, and Here's Lucy.

His last main roles in films were in TV movies like The Great American Beauty Contest (1973). For over 10 years in the 1970s, Robert traveled around the U.S. performing in dinner theaters and plays. He even lived in an Airstream travel trailer during this time.

He had a small role in Three on a Date (1978) and appeared on The Love Boat in 1979. In 1986, he hosted the 15th-anniversary celebration of Walt Disney World. His very last public appearance was for the "Disneyland 35th Anniversary Special" in 1990.

Personal Life

Marriages and Family

Robert Cummings was married five times and had seven children. His first wife was Emma Myers from his hometown. His second wife was actress Vivi Janiss. His third wife, Mary Elliott, helped manage his business.

He was married to Gina Fong from 1971 to 1987, and then to Martha Burzynski in 1989. His son, Tony Cummings, also became an actor.

Hobbies and Health

Cummings flew his Beechcraft to Joplin, Missouri—his hometown—in 1956

Robert Cummings loved flying and owned several airplanes, all named "Spinach." He was also a strong believer in natural foods and healthy living. He even wrote a book about it called Stay Young and Vital in 1960.

He was a supporter of the Republican Party.

Death

Robert Cummings passed away on December 2, 1990, at the age of 80. He died from kidney failure and complications from pneumonia in Woodland Hills, California.

He is buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California.

Filmography

Stage Work

• The Roof (1931)
• Ziegfeld Follies of 1934 (1934)
• Faithfully Yours (1951)
• The Wayward Stork (1966)
• Remember It's Never Too Late (1972)

Television Credits

Radio Credits

• Screen Directors Playhouse ("Bachelor Mother") (1951)
• Cavalcade of America ("Going Up") (1952)