Robert Wagner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Robert Wagner
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Wagner in 1967
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| Born |
Robert John Wagner Jr.
February 10, 1930 Detroit, Michigan, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1950–present |
| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 2, including Katie |
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Robert John Wagner Jr. (born February 10, 1930) is an American actor who has had a long and successful career in movies and television. He is famous for starring in popular TV shows like It Takes a Thief, Switch, and Hart to Hart.
Many people also know him for playing the funny role of Number 2 in the Austin Powers movies. Over his career, he has appeared in many films, including The Pink Panther (1963) and The Towering Inferno (1974).
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Early Life and First Steps in Acting
Robert Wagner was born in Detroit, Michigan. His father worked as a salesman for the Ford Motor Company. When Robert was seven years old, his family moved to Bel-Air, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California.
Living near Hollywood sparked his interest in acting. He began his career with small parts in movies. In 1950, he signed a contract with the movie studio 20th Century Fox. This was the official start of his journey to becoming a star.
A Career in Movies and Television
At 20th Century Fox, Wagner started with supporting roles in war films and comedies. He appeared in movies like Halls of Montezuma (1951) and Titanic (1953). His talent was soon noticed, and the studio began giving him bigger parts.
Becoming a Movie Star
Wagner's first leading role was in the adventure film Beneath the 12-Mile Reef (1953). The movie was one of the first to be filmed in CinemaScope, a new widescreen format, and it became a big hit. This success helped make him a star.
He then starred in the epic movie Prince Valiant (1954), where he played a knight. He also acted alongside famous stars like Spencer Tracy in the Western film Broken Lance (1954).
In the 1960s, Wagner worked in Europe. He had a memorable role in the classic comedy The Pink Panther (1963), which was a huge international success.
Success on the Small Screen
While he continued to make movies, Wagner also became a major television star. He starred in three very popular TV series.
- It Takes a Thief (1968–1970): Wagner played Alexander Mundy, a master thief who works for the U.S. government. His performance earned him a nomination for an Emmy Award.
- Switch (1975–1978): He teamed up with actor Eddie Albert to play a private detective who used to be a con man.
- Hart to Hart (1979–1984): Wagner and actress Stefanie Powers played Jonathan and Jennifer Hart, a rich and stylish couple who solve mysteries in their spare time. The show was a huge hit around the world.
Later Career Highlights
Wagner's career continued strongly for many more decades. In the 1990s and 2000s, a new generation of fans discovered him as Number 2, the eye-patched assistant to the villain Dr. Evil in the Austin Powers comedy films.
He also had guest roles in many popular TV shows. From 2010 to 2019, he played Anthony DiNozzo Sr., the father of a main character, in the crime drama NCIS. He also appeared in the sitcom Two and a Half Men.
Personal Life
Robert Wagner has been married three times. His first marriage was to actress Natalie Wood from 1957 to 1962. He then married Marion Marshall in 1963, and they had a daughter named Katie.
In 1972, Wagner and Natalie Wood remarried. They had a daughter named Courtney. After Wood's death in 1981, Wagner raised both Courtney and his stepdaughter, Natasha.
Since 1990, Wagner has been married to actress Jill St. John. They live in Aspen, Colorado.
Images for kids
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Jean Peters with Wagner in Broken Lance (1954)
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With Jill St. John in How I Spent My Summer Vacation (1967)
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With Jill St. John in 1959
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With Katie Wagner in 2013
See also
In Spanish: Robert Wagner para niños
