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Robert PrestonAmerican stage and film actor
Date of Birth: 08.06.1918
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Robert Preston
Robert Preston, born Robert Preston Meservey, was an American stage and film actor. He was born in Newton, Massachusetts, to Ruth L. (née Ri) and Frank Wesley Meservey, a clerk for American Express. Preston attended Abraham Lincoln High School in Los Angeles, and later enrolled in the Pasadena Playhouse theater school. During World War II, Preston served as an intelligence officer in the United States Air Force.
Acting Career
Preston appeared in numerous Hollywood films, primarily in westerns. However, his most famous role is considered to be "Professor" Harold Hill in the film "The Music Man" (1962), based on the musical of the same name by Meredith Willson, in which Preston also starred. In 1957, he won a Tony Award for his performance in this play. Preston was so popular that he even appeared on the cover of Time magazine on July 21, 1958. In 1965, he began performing alongside Mary Martin in the musical "I Do! I Do!", for which he won another Tony Award in 1974. Preston also played the role of Mack Sennett in Jerry Herman's Broadway musical "Mack and Mabel".
Chicken Fat
In 1961, Preston was invited to record a song as part of the President's Council on Physical Fitness program, which aimed to encourage students to engage in more physical activity. The song "Chicken Fat", written by Meredith Willson and sung by Preston with orchestral accompaniment, was distributed to schools nationwide and played for students every morning. The song became very popular.
The Chisholms and Later Career
In 1979 and 1980, Preston played the head of the Chisholm family in the CBS miniseries "The Chisholms". Rosemary Harris portrayed his wife Minerva. Preston's character died in the ninth episode of the series. The Chisholms became victims of a scam, resulting in the loss of their land in Virginia. They then moved to California to start a new life. Preston is also known for his other film roles, particularly in the musical film "Victor/Victoria" (1982), for which he received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor. His last major film role was in "The Last Starfighter" (1984), in which he played the alien recruiter Centauri who created the video game "Starfighter". Preston later admitted that he drew inspiration for Centauri from his portrayal of Professor Harold Hill. He also starred alongside Mary Tyler Moore in the film "Finnegan Begin Again", which premiered on HBO in 1985. Preston's final role was in the television film "Violence!" (1986).
Death
Robert Preston passed away from lung cancer on March 21, 1987, at the age of 68.
