Product Code Database
Robert Prosky (born Robert Joseph Porzuczek; December 13, 1930 – December 8, 2008) was an American actor. He became a well-known supporting actor in the 1980s with his roles in Thief (1981), Christine (1983), The Natural (1984), and Broadcast News (1987).
Prosky's other notable movies include (1990), Hoffa (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Last Action Hero (1993), Rudy (1993), Miracle on 34th Street (1994), Dead Man Walking (1995), and Mad City (1997). His most notable television role was of Sgt. Stan Jablonski on the TV police drama Hill Street Blues.
In addition to appearing in films, Prosky appeared in many television series. He became known for his role as Sgt. Stan Jablonski on Hill Street Blues. He also portrayed Jake "the Snake" Connolly on a two-part 1991 episode of Coach. He was considered for the role of Martin Crane in Frasier and later made a guest appearance in the series as a reclusive writer who befriended the character. He was offered the role of Coach Ernie Pantusso on Cheers, but turned it down; he later portrayed Rebecca Howe's father on the same show. His role in Veronica's Closet was likely a nod to this, as in both shows he played the father of a character portrayed by Kirstie Alley. He was also a regular on the tv series Danny.
In addition to his film and television career, he appeared in numerous theater plays at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., most notably as Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. Prosky often performed at Arena Stage with over 100 stage credits to his name at that theatre alone. He played Shelly Levene in the 1984 Chicago and Broadway production of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross. He was also a board member of the Cape May Stage in Cape May, New Jersey.
Prosky received or was nominated for two Tony awards, two Helen Hayes awards, an Emmy, the Drama Desk award, and the American Express Tribute To An American Actor. He continued to perform on stage and present lectures on his long career at universities, film festivals, for theater benefits, business groups and on cruises.
Playbill described him: "He was best suited to playing salt-of-the-earth characters, sometimes with a mischievous or slightly sinister edge."
Filmography
Film
1978 The Brink's Job Cop in Police Lineup Uncredited 1981 Thief Leo 1982 Hanky Panky Hiram Calder 1982 Monsignor Bishop Walkman 1983 The Lords of Discipline LTC Thomas "The Bear" Berrineau 1983 Christine Will Darnell 1983 The Keep Father Fonescu 1984 The Natural The Judge (team owner) 1985 Into Thin Air Jim Conway 1987 Outrageous Fortune Stanislav Korzenowski 1987 Big Shots Keegan 1987 Broadcast News Ernie Merriman 1988 The Great Outdoors Wally 1988 Things Change Joseph 'Don Giuseppe' Vincent 1989 The Heist Dancer 1990 Loose Cannons Von Metz 1990 Grandpa Fred 1990 Funny About Love Emil Thomas "E.T." Bergman 1990 Green Card Brontë's Lawyer 1991 Age Isn't Everything Grandpa Irving 1992 Far and Away Daniel Christie 1992 Hoffa Billy Flynn 1993 Last Action Hero Nick 1993 Rudy Father John Cavanaugh 1993 Mrs. Doubtfire Jonathan Lundy 1994 Miracle on 34th Street Judge Henry Harper 1995 The Scarlet Letter Horace Stonehall 1995 Dead Man Walking Hilton Barber 1996 The Chamber E. Garner Goodman 1997 Mad City Lou Potts 1998 The Lake Herb 1999 Dudley Do-Right Inspector Fenwick 2002 Eye See You McKenzie 2002 Death to Smoochy Network Chairman Uncredited 2005 Suits on the Loose Bishop Hollister 2007 "The Valley of Light" (TV Movie) character played
"Hoke Moore"
2009 The Skeptic Father Wymond Final film role; Released posthumously
Television
1984–1987 Hill Street Blues Sgt. Stan Jablonski Main cast Tom Watson
target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Murder of Mary Phagan Turner Classic Movies, accessed December 18, 2015 1991 Mr. Joseph Cardini, the neighborhood grocer. Coach Jake "The Snake" Connolly Episodes: "The Pineapple Bowl: Parts 1 & 2" 1998 The Lake Herb Television movie 1998 LateLine Boone LeGarde Episode: "Pilot" 1999 Swing Vote Chief Justice of the United States Television movie 2000 Touched by an Angel Dr. Robert Harrigan Episode: "The Grudge" 2001 Danny Lenny Main cast 2003 K Street Tommy's Dad 3 episodes 2007 ER Wayne Rutley Episode: "Family Business"; Final television role
Stage
Arena Stage, Washington, D.C./later moved to Broadway in 1972 Arena Stage, Washington, D.C./with Dianne Wiest New York City John Golden Theatre, New York City/Tony Award Nomination/ Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble Booth Theatre, New York City/Tony Award Nomination Lucille Lortel Theatre, New York City Arena Stage, Washington, D.C. Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City Arena Stage, Washington, D.C. Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia; Theater J, Washington, D.C. (joint production)
External links
Categories: 1930 Births, 2008 Deaths, Male Actors From Philadelphia, American Male Film Actors, American Male Stage Actors, American Male Television Actors, American Male Voice Actors, American People Of Polish Descent, Drama Desk Award Winners, Temple University Alumni, Burials At Rock Creek Cemetery, 20th-century American Male Actors, 21st-century American Male Actors
|
|
