Robert Martin Culp American actor and screenwriter Date of Birth: 16.08.1930 Country: USA

Biography of Robert Martin Culp

Robert Martin Culp was an American actor and screenwriter, best known for his work in television. He gained international recognition for his role as Warren in the series "Everybody Loves Raymond" and as Kelly Robinson in the series "I Spy," where he and fellow spy project star Bill Cosby played a pair of secret agents.

Culp was born on August 16, 1930, in Oakland, California, USA. He graduated from Berkeley High School, attended the drama school at Washington University, and received training at the private University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Culp was married five times and had three sons and two daughters. From 1967 to 1970, he was married to Eurasian actress France Nuyen, whom he met during his participation in the series "I Spy" in 1966.

Early in his career, Culp became an international star thanks to his role as Texas Ranger Hoby Gilman in the television series "Trackdown," which concluded in 1959. After the western series, Culp continued to appear on television as a guest star, playing Stuart Douglas in an episode of "The DuPont Show with June Allyson." He also appeared in "The Barbara Stanwyck Show," and in the first season episode of "The Man from U.N.C.L.E."

Notable performances by the actor include his appearance in three episodes of the science fiction series "The Outer Limits," including the classic episode "The Demon with a Glass Hand" based on Harlan Ellison's story. Culp then played secret agent Kelly Robinson, who disguised himself as a professional tennis player, in the series "I Spy." He wrote the script for seven episodes, directed one of them, and was nominated for an Emmy award.

Culp portrayed a killer in three episodes of the series "Columbo" before making a breakthrough on television in 1981, playing FBI agent Bill Maxwell in the fantasy series "The Greatest American Hero." Although the show lasted only three years, Culp's portrayal of Maxwell was brilliantly executed and fondly remembered by his fans.

In the comedic animated series "Robot Chicken," Culp reunited with his beloved agent character, lending his voice to the role. In 1978, he collaborated once again with Bill Cosby, star of "I Spy," in the series "The Cosby Show," where Culp played Cliff's old friend, Scott Kelly.

There were rumors that Culp would replace Larry Hagman in the role of J.R. Ewing in the series "Dallas," but these rumors turned out to be unfounded. Culp stated in an interview that he would never have taken on a role in "Dallas" because he was fully committed to "The Greatest American Hero."

Culp's other television roles include appearances in shows such as "Golden Girls," "The Nanny," "Girls Next Door," "Wings," "The Dead Zone," "Conan," "Spy Games," "Viper," "Berkeley Square," "Hope & Faith," and many more.

In addition to his television work, Culp also had a career in film. He began with three movies in 1963: the war biopic "PT 109," the western "The Raiders," and the romantic comedy "Sunday in New York." In 1969, Culp joined director Paul Mazursky in his provocative comedy "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice" about "uninhibited group thinking" and sexual experimentation among two married couples. His portrayal of Bob Sanders in the film was a highlight of his film career.

Other notable film roles include his skilled gunman character Thomas Luther Price in the crime western "Hannie Caulder" with Raquel Welch in 1971. The following year, the familiar duo of Bill Cosby and Robert Culp reunited in the thriller "Hickey & Boggs," for which Culp also served as the director.

In the more well-known detective film "The Pelican Brief" in 1994, Culp portrayed the President of the United States, starring alongside Julia Roberts and Denzel Washington.

Culp also provided the voice for Dr. Breen in the video game sequel "Half-Life 2," a first-person shooter. This was not his first experience voicing a character in a video game; he had previously done so in the game "Voyeur" in 1993.

Culp appeared in Eminem's music video for the song "Guilty Conscience," playing a role in the "lyrical battle" scene between the rapper and narrator Dr. Dre. However, in the album version of the song, his role was replaced by Richard 'Segal' Eredia.

In conclusion, over his 50-year career, Robert Martin Culp had over a hundred performances to his name. He passed away on March 24, 2010, from a severe head injury.