Robert Wagner facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Wagner
Wagner in 1967
Born	Robert John Wagner Jr. (1930-02-10) February 10, 1930 (age 95) Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1950–present
Spouse(s)	Natalie Wood ​ ​ (m. 1957; div. 1962)​ ​ ​ (m. 1972; died 1981)​ Marion Marshall ​ ​ (m. 1963; div. 1971)​ Jill St. John ​ (m. 1990)​
Children	2, including Katie
Relatives	Lana Wood (sister-in-law) Natasha Gregson Wagner (stepdaughter) Barry Watson (stepson-in-law)

Robert John Wagner Jr. (born February 10, 1930) is an American actor. He is famous for his roles in popular TV shows like It Takes a Thief (1968–1970), Switch (1975–1978), and Hart to Hart (1979–1984). He also had important roles in later TV series such as Two and a Half Men (2007–2008) and NCIS (2010–2019).

In movies, Wagner is well-known for playing Number 2 in the Austin Powers film series (1997, 1999, 2002). He also appeared in films like Prince Valiant (1954), The Pink Panther (1963), and The Towering Inferno (1974).

Robert Wagner's Early Life

Wagner was born in Detroit, Michigan. His mother, Thelma Hazel Alvera, was a telephone operator. His father, Robert John Wagner, Sr., was a traveling salesman for the Ford Motor Company.

Wagner's mother was born in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her parents were immigrants from Norway. They got married in La Crosse in 1887. Wagner's father was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan. His parents came from Germany.

Robert Wagner's Acting Career

Wagner became very interested in acting. After an early tryout for a film in 1951, he was signed by an agent. He made his first film appearance in The Happy Years (1950). Soon after, he signed a contract with 20th Century Fox.

Wagner remembered his early days, saying, "I started off as an ingenue" (a young, innocent character). He was 19 years old and played the "boy next door." He felt proud to be part of 20th Century Fox. When he wasn't filming, he would travel to promote movies.

Early Film Roles

Wagner's first film for Fox was Halls of Montezuma (1951), a World War II movie. He had a supporting role. The studio then cast him in another war film, The Frogmen (1951). He also appeared in the comedy Let's Make It Legal (1951).

Wagner gained more attention for his small but noticeable role in With a Song in My Heart (1952). He played a soldier who was suffering from shell-shock.

20th Century Fox started giving Wagner bigger roles. He was the romantic lead in Stars and Stripes Forever (1952). He also supported famous actors in films like What Price Glory (1952) and Titanic (1953).

Becoming a Leading Man

Wagner in Beneath the 12-Mile Reef (1953)

Fox gave Wagner his first main starring role in Beneath the 12-Mile Reef (1953). Even though reviews were not great, the movie was a big success. It was one of the first films shot in CinemaScope.

Jean Peters with Wagner in Broken Lance (1954)

Another popular film was the Western Broken Lance (1954). Wagner played the son of Spencer Tracy's character. Fox then gave Wagner the lead in an expensive movie, Prince Valiant (1954). He also starred with Jeffrey Hunter in the Western White Feather (1955).

Wagner starred in A Kiss Before Dying (1956), which earned him good reviews. He continued to appear in war movies like Between Heaven and Hell (1956). He played Jesse James in The True Story of Jesse James (1957).

In 1961, Wagner and his then-wife, Natalie Wood, started their own film company. Wagner made Sail a Crooked Ship (1961). He also filmed The War Lover (1962) with Steve McQueen in England.

Working in Europe

After his first marriage ended, Wagner moved to Europe for a time. He had a small role in The Longest Day (1962). He also had a bigger part in The Condemned of Altona (1962).

A very popular film for Wagner was The Pink Panther (1963). This movie was a huge hit. Wagner's role was a supporting one, alongside stars like David Niven and Peter Sellers.

Return to Hollywood

With Jill St. John in How I Spent My Summer Vacation (1967)

When he returned to America, Wagner acted in a play for the first time. He then found a good supporting role in the detective film Harper (1966), starring Paul Newman.

In 1966, Wagner signed a contract with Universal Pictures. He starred with future wife Jill St. John in the TV movie How I Spent My Summer Vacation (1967). He also made a film in Italy with Raquel Welch, The Biggest Bundle of Them All (1968).

Becoming a Television Star

In 1967, Universal convinced Wagner to star in his first TV series, It Takes a Thief (1968–1970). Wagner was unsure about doing TV, but he listened to advice. The show was a big success and helped his career. In this series, he acted with Fred Astaire, who played his father. Wagner was nominated for an Emmy Award for his performance.

During the series, he made the comedy film Don't Just Stand There! (1968). He also supported Paul Newman in the racing car drama Winning (1969).

Wagner's friend and agent suggested he try out for the role of James Bond. However, Wagner decided it wasn't the right fit for him. He appeared in the TV movie City Beneath the Sea (1971). The next year, he produced and starred with Bette Davis in the TV film Madame Sin.

He was a regular in the British TV drama Colditz (1972–1974). He also reunited with Paul Newman and Steve McQueen in the disaster film The Towering Inferno (1974). This film was a huge hit.

Switch and Hart to Hart

with Eddie Albert in Switch, 1975

By the mid-1970s, Wagner's TV career was very successful. He starred in the CBS series Switch (1975–1978) with Eddie Albert. Albert was a childhood hero of Wagner's, and they became close friends. Wagner spoke at Albert's funeral in 2005.

Wagner and Natalie Wood also had a share in the very successful TV series Charlie's Angels.

Wagner's third successful TV series was Hart to Hart. He co-starred with Stefanie Powers and Lionel Stander. The show aired from 1979 to 1984. Producers felt that Wagner was the perfect choice for the wealthy character, Jonathan Hart.

During Hart to Hart, Wagner played his old Pink Panther role again in Curse of the Pink Panther (1983). He also had a supporting role in I Am the Cheese (1983). Wagner later starred in the short-lived TV series Lime Street (1985).

Later Career and Austin Powers

Wagner appeared in a TV movie with Audrey Hepburn, Love Among Thieves (1987). He also starred in a miniseries with Jaclyn Smith, Windmills of the Gods (1988). He and Jill St. John worked with Pierce Brosnan in the miniseries Around the World in 80 Days (1989).

Wagner in 2013

Wagner's film career got a big boost from the Austin Powers series of spy comedies. He played Dr. Evil's assistant, Number 2, in all three films: Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery (1997), Austin Powers: The Spy Who ... Me (1999), and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). He also had small roles in other films like Wild Things (1998).

Wagner became the host of Fox Movie Channel's Hour of Stars. He also became a spokesperson for a reverse mortgage company.

In 2007, Wagner had a role in the BBC/AMC series Hustle. He played a crooked Texan. He also played President James Garfield in the comedy/horror film Netherbeast Incorporated (2007). He had a recurring role on the sitcom Two and a Half Men (2007–2008).

Wagner has guest-starred in 13 episodes of NCIS. He plays Anthony DiNozzo Sr., the father of a main character. In 2017, he reunited with Raquel Welch in the Canadian series Date My Dad.

Robert Wagner's Personal Life

Wagner has been married four times. In 1956, when he was 26, he started dating 18-year-old actress Natalie Wood. They married on December 28, 1957, and later divorced in 1962.

With Katie Wagner in 2013

While working in Europe, Wagner reconnected with actress Marion Marshall. They married on July 21, 1963. They had a daughter named Katie, born on May 11, 1964. They divorced in 1971.

Wagner and Natalie Wood rekindled their romance and remarried on July 16, 1972. They had a daughter named Courtney, born on March 9, 1974. After Wood's death in 1981, Wagner became the legal guardian of her daughter, Natasha.

On Valentine's Day 1982, Wagner began dating actress Jill St. John. He had known her since the 1950s. They married on May 26, 1990. This marriage has lasted longer than all their previous marriages combined. The couple have appeared in several films and plays together.

Wagner became a grandfather in 2006 when his daughter Katie had a son, Riley John Wagner-Lewis. Wagner and St. John live in Aspen, Colorado, and also have a home in Los Angeles.

Filmography

Film

Television

Images for kids

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  With Jill St. John in 1959

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  With Natalie Wood in 1960

See also

In Spanish: Robert Wagner para niños