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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.


Early life
Prosky, a , was born in the Manayunk neighborhood of , , to Helen (Kuhn) and Joseph Porzuczek.
(1989). 9780837918501, Marquis Who's Who. .
His father was a grocer and butcher. Robert Prosky biography Film Reference. He was raised in a working-class neighborhood and studied at the American Theatre Wing, later graduating from Temple University. He performed at Old Academy Players, a small theater in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, adjacent to Manayunk. He also served in the U.S. Air Force during the , but got a hardship discharge to help with the family store when his father died unexpectedly.


Career
Prosky appeared in Thief (1981), Hanky Panky (1982), The Natural (1984), Outrageous Fortune (1987), Broadcast News (1987), The Great Outdoors (1988), Things Change (1988), Loose Cannons (1990), (1990), Green Card (1990), Far and Away (1992), Hoffa (1992), Last Action Hero (1993), Rudy (1993), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Miracle on 34th Street (1994), and Mad City (1997), Dead Man Walking (1995) and The Chamber (1996), with actor Raymond J. Barry. He also plays Will Darnell, the man who owned the auto repair shop where Arnie Cunningham () rebuilds the possessed car "Christine" in the 1983 film based on 's novel.

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 in 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 , but turned it down; he later portrayed '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 . 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 in Washington, D.C., most notably as in Death of a Salesman. Prosky often performed at with over 100 stage credits to his name at that theatre alone. He played Shelly Levene in the 1984 Chicago and Broadway production of 's -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.


Personal life
In 1960, he married Ida Hove with whom he had three sons, Stefan, and Andrew Prosky, the latter two being actors as well.


Death
Prosky died on December 8, 2008, just 5 days before his 78th birthday, while living in the neighborhood of Washington, D.C. His son John said that the cause was complications of heart surgery at the Washington Hospital Center.Martin, Douglas. (December 11, 2008). "Robert Prosky, 77, an Actor of Wide Range and Acumen, Is Dead" The New York Times. The New York Times described him: "a craggy-faced, heavyset character actor who, after 23 years in regional theater, became a familiar face on Broadway, in movies and on television, notably as a gruff desk sergeant in the later years of Hill Street Blues."

Playbill described him: "He was best suited to playing salt-of-the-earth characters, sometimes with a mischievous or slightly sinister edge."


Filmography

Film
1978The Brink's JobCop in Police LineupUncredited
1981ThiefLeo
1982Hanky PankyHiram Calder
1982MonsignorBishop Walkman
1983The Lords of DisciplineLTC Thomas "The Bear" Berrineau
1983ChristineWill Darnell
1983The KeepFather Fonescu
1984The NaturalThe Judge (team owner)
1985Into Thin AirJim Conway
1987Outrageous FortuneStanislav Korzenowski
1987Big ShotsKeegan
1987Broadcast NewsErnie Merriman
1988The Great OutdoorsWally
1988Things ChangeJoseph 'Don Giuseppe' Vincent
1989The Heist
1990Loose CannonsVon Metz
1990Grandpa Fred
1990Funny About LoveEmil Thomas "E.T." Bergman
1990Green CardBrontë's Lawyer
1991Age Isn't EverythingGrandpa Irving
1992Far and AwayDaniel Christie
1992HoffaBilly Flynn
1993Last Action HeroNick
1993RudyFather John Cavanaugh
1993Mrs. DoubtfireJonathan Lundy
1994Miracle on 34th StreetJudge Henry Harper
1995The Scarlet LetterHorace Stonehall
1995Dead Man WalkingHilton Barber
1996The ChamberE. Garner Goodman
1997Mad CityLou Potts
1998The LakeHerb
1999Dudley Do-RightInspector Fenwick
2002Eye See YouMcKenzie
2002Death to SmoochyNetwork ChairmanUncredited
2005Suits on the LooseBishop Hollister2007 "The Valley of Light" (TV Movie) character played
       "Hoke Moore"
     
2009The SkepticFather WymondFinal film role; Released posthumously


Television
1984–1987Hill Street BluesSgt. Stan JablonskiMain cast
Tom Watson Https://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title/470228/the-murder-of-mary-phagan" target="_blank" rel="nofollow"> Murder of Mary Phagan Turner Classic Movies, accessed December 18, 2015
1991Mr. Joseph Cardini, the neighborhood grocer.
CoachJake "The Snake" ConnollyEpisodes: "The Pineapple Bowl: Parts 1 & 2"
1998The LakeHerbTelevision movie
1998Boone LeGardeEpisode: "Pilot"
1999Swing VoteChief Justice of the United StatesTelevision movie
2000Touched by an AngelDr. Robert HarriganEpisode: "The Grudge"
2001DannyLennyMain cast
2003K StreetTommy's Dad3 episodes
2007ERWayne RutleyEpisode: "Family Business"; Final television role


Stage
, Washington, D.C./later moved to Broadway in 1972
Arena Stage, Washington, D.C./with
New York City
John Golden Theatre, New York City/ Nomination/ Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble
, 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; , Washington, D.C. (joint production)


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