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Robert Prosky

February 08, 2023

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).

Robert Prosky
Robert Prosky and Joseph McKenna in Fishelson's adaptation of The Golem at Manhattan Ensemble Theatre, 2002
Born
Robert Józef Porzuczek

(1930-12-13)December 13, 1930
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedDecember 8, 2008(2008-12-08) (aged 77)
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Resting placeRock Creek Cemetery
Washington, D.C., U.S.
Other namesRobert Józef Prosky
OccupationActor
Years active1971–2008
Spouse
Ida Hove
​
(m. 1960)​
Children3, including John Prosky

Prosky's other notable movies include Gremlins 2: The New Batch (1990), Hoffa (1992), Mrs. Doubtfire (1993), Last Action Hero (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 Polish American,[1] was born in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia,[2] Pennsylvania, to Helen (Kuhn) and Joseph Porzuczek.[3] His father was a grocer and butcher.[4][5][6] 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 Korean War, but got a hardship discharge to help with the family store when his father died suddenly.[7]

Career

Prosky appeared in Thief, Christine, Hanky Panky, The Natural, Hoffa, Broadcast News, Things Change, The Great Outdoors, Loose Cannons, Rudy, Mrs. Doubtfire, Green Card, and Dead Man Walking. He also appeared as Will Darnell, the man who owned the auto repair shop where Arnie Cunningham (Keith Gordon) rebuilds the possessed car "Christine" in the film John Carpenter's Christine based on Stephen King's novel.

In addition to appearing in films, he appeared in many television shows, as a regular on Hill Street Blues, Danny, and Veronica's Closet. Prosky 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.[8] His role in Veronica's Closet was likely a nod to this, as in both shows he would play the father of a character portrayed by Kirstie Alley.

In addition to his film and television career, he appeared in numerous productions 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 appeared in two films, Dead Man Walking and The Chamber, with actor Raymond J. Barry. He 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, John and Andrew Prosky, the latter two being actors as well.[7]

Death

Prosky died on December 8, 2008, at the age of 77.[9] His son John said that the cause was complications of heart surgery at the Washington Hospital Center.[7] 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."[7]

Playbill described him: "He was best suited to playing salt-of-the-earth characters, sometimes with a mischievous or slightly sinister edge."[8]

At the time of his death, he was living in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C.[8]

Filmography

Television

Stage

Year Title Role Location/Notes
1971 Moonchildren (American premiere) Mr. Willis Arena Stage, Washington, D.C./later moved to Broadway in 1972
1975 The Dybbuk Rabbi Az ielke Arena Stage, Washington, D.C./with Dianne Wiest
1983 A View from the Bridge Alfieri New York City
1984 Glengarry Glen Ross Shelly Levene John Golden Theatre, New York City/Tony Award Nomination/ Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble
1988 A Walk in the Woods Andrei Botvinnik Booth Theatre, New York City/Tony Award Nomination
1996 Camping with Henry and Tom Thomas Edison Lucille Lortel Theatre, New York City
2002 An American Daughter Alan Hughes Arena Stage, Washington, D.C.
2004 Democracy Herbert Wehner Brooks Atkinson Theatre, New York City
2006 Awake and Sing! Jacob Arena Stage, Washington, D.C.
2008 The Price Solomon Walnut Street Theatre, Philadelphia; Theater J, Washington, D.C. (joint production)

References

  1. ^ Davis, Sally Ogle (September 6, 2001). "Television Jews: How Jewish Is Too Jewish?". The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
  2. ^ Bernstein, Adam (December 10, 2008). "Robert Prosky, Phila.-born character actor". The Philadelphia Inquirer.
  3. ^ Who's who in Entertainment. Vol. 1. Marquis Who's Who. 1989. ISBN 9780837918501.
  4. ^ Robert Prosky biography Film Reference.
  5. ^ . Archived from the original on 2011-05-22. Retrieved 2017-01-15.
  6. ^ Bernstein, Adam (December 10, 2008). "Robert Prosky; D.C. Actor Appeared on 'Hill Street Blues'". The Washington Post.
  7. ^ a b c d Martin, Douglas. (December 11, 2008). "Robert Prosky, 77, an Actor of Wide Range and Acumen, Is Dead" The New York Times.
  8. ^ a b c Simonson, Robert (December 9, 2008). "Robert Prosky, Seasoned Actor of Stage, Film and Television, Dies at 77". Playbill. Archived from the original on January 31, 2013.
  9. ^ Sullivan, Patricia (December 9, 2008). "Actor Robert Prosky Dies". The Washington Post. Retrieved 9 December 2008.
  10. ^ Murder of Mary Phagan Turner Classic Movies, accessed December 18, 2015
  11. ^ From the Dead of Night Turner Classic Movies, accessed December 18, 2015

External links

February 08, 2023
robert, prosky, born, robert, joseph, porzuczek, december, 1930, december, 2008, american, actor, became, well, known, supporting, actor, 1980s, with, roles, thief, 1981, christine, 1983, natural, 1984, broadcast, news, 1987, joseph, mckenna, fishelson, adapta. 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 Robert ProskyRobert Prosky and Joseph McKenna in Fishelson s adaptation of The Golem at Manhattan Ensemble Theatre 2002BornRobert Jozef Porzuczek 1930 12 13 December 13 1930Philadelphia Pennsylvania U S DiedDecember 8 2008 2008 12 08 aged 77 Washington D C U S Resting placeRock Creek CemeteryWashington D C U S Other namesRobert Jozef ProskyOccupationActorYears active1971 2008SpouseIda Hove m 1960 wbr Children3 including John ProskyProsky s other notable movies include Gremlins 2 The New Batch 1990 Hoffa 1992 Mrs Doubtfire 1993 Last Action Hero 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 Contents 1 Early life 2 Career 3 Personal life 4 Death 5 Filmography 6 Television 7 Stage 8 References 9 External linksEarly life EditProsky a Polish American 1 was born in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia 2 Pennsylvania to Helen Kuhn and Joseph Porzuczek 3 His father was a grocer and butcher 4 5 6 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 Korean War but got a hardship discharge to help with the family store when his father died suddenly 7 Career EditProsky appeared in Thief Christine Hanky Panky The Natural Hoffa Broadcast News Things Change The Great Outdoors Loose Cannons Rudy Mrs Doubtfire Green Card and Dead Man Walking He also appeared as Will Darnell the man who owned the auto repair shop where Arnie Cunningham Keith Gordon rebuilds the possessed car Christine in the film John Carpenter s Christine based on Stephen King s novel In addition to appearing in films he appeared in many television shows as a regular on Hill Street Blues Danny and Veronica s Closet Prosky 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 8 His role in Veronica s Closet was likely a nod to this as in both shows he would play the father of a character portrayed by Kirstie Alley In addition to his film and television career he appeared in numerous productions 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 appeared in two films Dead Man Walking and The Chamber with actor Raymond J Barry He 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 EditIn 1960 he married Ida Hove with whom he had three sons Stefan John and Andrew Prosky the latter two being actors as well 7 Death EditProsky died on December 8 2008 at the age of 77 9 His son John said that the cause was complications of heart surgery at the Washington Hospital Center 7 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 7 Playbill described him He was best suited to playing salt of the earth characters sometimes with a mischievous or slightly sinister edge 8 At the time of his death he was living in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington D C 8 Filmography EditThe Brink s Job 1978 Cop in Police Lineup uncredited Thief 1981 Leo World War III 1982 General Rudenski Hanky Panky 1982 Hiram Calder Monsignor 1982 Bishop Walkman The Lords of Discipline 1983 LTC Thomas The Bear Berrineau Christine 1983 Will Darnell The Keep 1983 Father Fonescu The Natural 1984 The Judge team owner Outrageous Fortune 1987 Stanislav Korzenowski Big Shots 1987 Keegan Broadcast News 1987 Ernie Merriman The Murder of Mary Phagan 1988 Miniseries Thomas Edward Watson The Great Outdoors 1988 Wally Things Change 1988 Joseph Don Giuseppe Vincent The Heist 1989 Dancer Loose Cannons 1990 Von Metz Gremlins 2 The New Batch 1990 Grandpa Fred Funny About Love 1990 Emil Thomas E T Bergman Green Card 1990 Bronte s Lawyer Age Isn t Everything 1991 Grandpa Irving Far and Away 1992 Daniel Christie Hoffa 1992 Billy Flynn Last Action Hero 1993 Nick Rudy 1993 Father John Cavanaugh Mrs Doubtfire 1993 Jonathan Lundy Miracle on 34th Street 1994 Judge Henry Harper The Scarlet Letter 1995 Horace Stonehall Dead Man Walking 1995 Hilton Barber The Chamber 1996 E Garner Goodman Mad City 1997 Lou Potts The Lake 1998 Herb Dudley Do Right 1999 Inspector Fenwick Eye See You 2002 McKenzie Death to Smoochy 2002 Network Chairman uncredited Suits on the Loose 2005 Bishop Hollister The Skeptic 2008 Father Wymond final film role Television EditHill Street Blues 1984 1987 Sgt Stan Jablonski Murder She Wrote 1987 Bishop Patrick Shea The Murder of Mary Phagan 1988 Tom Watson 10 From the Dead of Night 1989 Dr Walter Hovde 11 A Green Journey 1990 Bishop Baker Coach 1991 Jake The Snake Connolly Cheers 1992 Navy Captain Franklin Howe Frasier 1996 T H Houghton Veronica s Closet 1997 1998 Pat Chase ER 2007 Wayne RutleyStage EditYear Title Role Location Notes1971 Moonchildren American premiere Mr Willis Arena Stage Washington D C later moved to Broadway in 19721975 The Dybbuk Rabbi Az ielke Arena Stage Washington D C with Dianne Wiest1983 A View from the Bridge Alfieri New York City1984 Glengarry Glen Ross Shelly Levene John Golden Theatre New York City Tony Award Nomination Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Ensemble1988 A Walk in the Woods Andrei Botvinnik Booth Theatre New York City Tony Award Nomination1996 Camping with Henry and Tom Thomas Edison Lucille Lortel Theatre New York City2002 An American Daughter Alan Hughes Arena Stage Washington D C 2004 Democracy Herbert Wehner Brooks Atkinson Theatre New York City2006 Awake and Sing Jacob Arena Stage Washington D C 2008 The Price Solomon Walnut Street Theatre Philadelphia Theater J Washington D C joint production References Edit Davis Sally Ogle September 6 2001 Television Jews How Jewish Is Too Jewish The Jewish Journal of Greater Los Angeles Retrieved December 11 2019 Bernstein Adam December 10 2008 Robert Prosky Phila born character actor The Philadelphia Inquirer Who s who in Entertainment Vol 1 Marquis Who s Who 1989 ISBN 9780837918501 Robert Prosky biography Film Reference Robert Prosky Biography Yahoo Movies Archived from the original on 2011 05 22 Retrieved 2017 01 15 Bernstein Adam December 10 2008 Robert Prosky D C Actor Appeared on Hill Street Blues The Washington Post a b c d Martin Douglas December 11 2008 Robert Prosky 77 an Actor of Wide Range and Acumen Is Dead The New York Times a b c Simonson Robert December 9 2008 Robert Prosky Seasoned Actor of Stage Film and Television Dies at 77 Playbill Archived from the original on January 31 2013 Sullivan Patricia December 9 2008 Actor Robert Prosky Dies The Washington Post Retrieved 9 December 2008 Murder of Mary Phagan Turner Classic Movies accessed December 18 2015 From the Dead of Night Turner Classic Movies accessed December 18 2015External links Edit biography portalRobert Prosky Papers at GMU Robert Prosky at IMDb Robert Prosky at the TCM Movie Database Robert Prosky at AllMovie Robert Prosky at Find a Grave AP Obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Robert Prosky amp oldid 1134695963, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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