Robert Taylor (actor)

Robert Taylor (August 5 1911-June 8 1969), was an American actor.

Related Topics:
August 5 - 1911 - June 8 - 1969 - American - Actor

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Born Spangler Arlington Brough in Filley, Nebraska, he made his first film appearance in 1934. In his early career, he was known as "the man with the perfect profile". One of his first major films was Camille (1936), in which he played opposite Greta Garbo. In later life, he made many television appearances, notably in the 1959 series, The Detectives Starring Robert Taylor.

Related Topics:
Filley, Nebraska - 1934 - Camille - 1936 - Greta Garbo - 1959

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In 1947, Taylor testified before the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC) as a "friendly witness", claiming that he had appeared in the film Song of Russia against his better judgement. He went on to claim that the script by Richard Collins and Paul Jarrico, and a song in the movie written by Yip Harburg, were pro-Communist.

Related Topics:
1947 - House Un-American Activities Committee - Paul Jarrico - Yip Harburg - Communist

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Taylor also provided evidence against actor Howard Da Silva. He is quoted as saying: "I can name a few who seem to sort of disrupt things once in a while. Whether or not they are Communists I don't know. One chap we have currently, I think is Howard Da Silva. He always seems to have something to say at the wrong time."

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In 1970, he was inducted into the Western Performers Hall of Fame at the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Related Topics:
1970 - Western Performers Hall of Fame - National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum - Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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His first wife was the actress Barbara Stanwyck; their marriage lasted from 1939 to 1951. Stanwyck and Taylor owned a large ranch and home in the Mandeville Canyon section of Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA, that is to this day still referred to by locals as the "old Robert Taylor ranch." This marriage was rumored to be a "lavender marriage", or one designed to hide the homosexuality of one or both of the partners. Whether or not this was true, the couple often appeared in public together and seemed to enjoy one another's company. After Stanwyck's death, it was revealed that she had, in fact, had relationships with several women over the years.

Related Topics:
Barbara Stanwyck - 1939 - 1951 - Brentwood, Los Angeles, CA - Lavender marriage - Homosexual

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His second wife was German-born Ursula Thiess whom he married in 1954, and with whom he had 2 children.

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Robert Taylor died of lung cancer (he was a chain smoker) at the age of 57, and he was interred in Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, in Glendale, California.

Related Topics:
Lung cancer - Chain smoker - Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery - Glendale, California

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