Stack Pierce facts for kids

Robert Stack Pierce (born June 15, 1933 – died March 1, 2016) was an American actor. Before becoming an actor, he was a professional boxer and a baseball player. He started acting in the early 1970s. He appeared in many TV shows like Arnie and Mission: Impossible. He was also known for playing Jake, an alien commander, in the 1980s show V. Stack Pierce also acted in movies such as Cool Breeze and Weekend at Bernie's II.

Early Life and Sports Career

Stack Pierce was a talented athlete from a young age. He became a state boxing champion. After his boxing success, he started playing professional baseball.

He joined the United States Army after high school. While in the army, he continued to play baseball for the Special Services team. His skills caught the attention of the Cleveland Indians baseball team. They signed him to a professional contract.

Later, the Milwaukee Braves baseball team bought his contract. He played with them for six years. He retired from baseball in 1960. After retiring, he moved to Los Angeles with his wife.

Becoming an Actor

Stack Pierce began his acting career because his wife encouraged him. She suggested he try out for a play called Ebonites. He worked very hard to learn acting. He also spent a lot of time with a theater group that performed many different plays.

Acting in the 1970s

Pierce first appeared on television in 1970. He was in an episode of the TV show Arnie. In 1972, he started acting in movies. That year, he appeared in three films. He played a character named Tinker in Cool Breeze. He also played Jon Sampson in Night Call Nurses. His third film was Hammer, which was the first of five movies he made with actor Fred Williamson.

Acting in the 1980s

In 1980, Pierce played Frank Washington in The Last Reunion. This was the first of seven movies he made with actor Leo Fong. Also in 1980, he was nominated for an NAACP Image Award. This award was for his role in an episode of the TV series Quincy, M.E. called "Sweet Land of Liberty".

He also appeared in the 1982 movie Vice Squad. He played a garage owner in this film. In 1983, he became well-known for playing Captain Jake. This was an alien commander in the science fiction TV series V. In 1984, he was in another Leo Fong film, Killpoint. He played Nighthawk, a serious bodyguard for a weapons dealer. In 1986, he was in Low Blow as Duke. This movie was about a detective trying to rescue a kidnapped daughter.

Acting in the 1990s and 2000s

In 1997, Pierce played Will in the movie Moonbase. This film was about a crew on the moon who had to fight off escaped prisoners. The prisoners were looking for nuclear weapons.

After this, Pierce took a break from acting. He cared for his wife, Marion, until she passed away in 1998. After her death, he became a stage director. He directed plays like A Raisin in the Sun and My Brothers' Blood. He returned to acting briefly in 2005 for the movie Transformed. This film reunited him with Leo Fong.

Later Activities and Charity Work

As Stack Pierce acted less, he started focusing on helping young people and doing charity work. In 2006, he went back to baseball as a youth coach. He also gave speeches through an organization called Speakers International.

In 2011, he helped raise money for the Odessa Brown Children's Clinic. This was for the Lenny Wilkens Foundation. He also played in a celebrity golf tournament in December 2011.

Stack Pierce had a stroke in 2012, which made him step back from coaching baseball. However, he continued to be involved in charity work. In 2014, he took part in a golf tournament in New York. His friend and fellow actor Fred Williamson also participated.

Awards

In July 1978, Stack Pierce received an award at the annual Youth On Parade program. Musicians Side Effect and D. J. Rogers also received awards at this event.

Death

Stack Pierce passed away on March 1, 2016.

Filmography