Robert Gist facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Gist
Gist in the trailer for Operation Petticoat (1959)
Born	Robert Marion Gist (1917-10-01)October 1, 1917 Chicago, Illinois U.S.
Died	May 21, 1998(1998-05-21) (aged 80) Magalia, California U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Actor film director
Years active	1947–1971
Spouse(s)	Agnes Moorehead ​ ​ (m. 1954; div. 1958)​

Robert Marion Gist (born October 1, 1917, died May 21, 1998) was an American actor and film director. He was known for his roles in movies and for directing many popular TV shows.

Robert Gist's Early Life and Career

Robert Gist grew up near the busy stockyards in Chicago, Illinois. This was during the Great Depression, a tough time when many people faced financial hardship. After a childhood incident, Robert Gist found a new path at Chicago's Hull House. This special community center, started by social worker Jane Addams, helped him discover his love for acting.

Starting His Acting Journey

Gist began his acting career in Chicago radio. Soon after, he moved to stage acting, performing in plays both in Chicago and on Broadway. One of his notable Broadway roles was in the long-running play Harvey.

While acting in Harvey, he made his first movie appearance. This was in the classic Christmas film Miracle on 34th Street (1947). He also appeared on Broadway in The Caine Mutiny Court Martial (1954). In this play, he worked with famous actors like Henry Fonda.

Becoming a Director

In 1959, while filming Operation Petticoat, Gist told director Blake Edwards that he wanted to direct. Edwards later gave Gist a chance to direct episodes of the TV series Peter Gunn. This was the start of Gist's successful directing career.

Robert Gist went on to direct many other popular TV shows. These included Naked City, The Twilight Zone, and Route 66. He became a well-known director in television.

Directing Plays

Gist also directed plays for the stage. In 1961, he directed the first-ever performance of Edna St. Vincent Millay's play Conversation at Midnight. This play was a big success in Los Angeles. It ran for several months and was praised by critics and audiences. Three years later, Gist directed the same play on Broadway. However, this time it did not do as well and closed quickly.

Robert Gist's Personal Life

Robert Gist was married to actress Agnes Moorehead from 1954 to 1958. They met while working on the movie The Stratton Story (1949).

In 1970, Gist spoke with David Frost about his involvement with Synanon. Synanon was a group that started as a program to help people with addiction.

Robert Gist's Filmography

Robert Gist's Teaching Career

Robert Gist also shared his knowledge by teaching. From 1973 to 1975, he was the Head of the School of Arts. This was at the Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education in Toowoomba, Australia. Today, this school is known as the University of Southern Queensland.

In the 1960s, he became an acting coach in Hollywood. He created an actors' workshop called "The Group." In 1964, his group performed poetry by Carl Sandburg in an event called The People Yes.

Notable Students

Some of Robert Gist's students became successful in their own fields:

• Philip Barter, a cameraman and artist.
• Neville Tranter, an Australian actor and puppeteer.
• Bernd Ullrich, a German artist.
• Lenore Robbins, an Australian dancer and choreographer. She influenced many young dancers in Australia.