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Robert Wagner

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Robert John Wagner Jr. is a prominent American actor.

Robert Wagner on MBN Newsvideoweb
Robert Wagner on MBN Newsvideoweb

His career spanned several decades of film and television. He became a recognizable figure through many different types of roles. Wagner moved between being a leading man and a supporting actor. He achieved significant success in both major motion pictures and television series. His work helped define much of the entertainment landscape in the mid-to-late 20th century.

Wagner's professional journey began with a series of specific steps in Hollywood. He first underwent a screen test for the film Teresa in 1951. Although that test was unsuccessful, he secured representation with agent Albert R. Broccoli. He was soon signed by Henry Willson and placed under contract with 20th Century Fox. At age 19, he described himself as an "ingenu" or the "boy next door."

Robert Wagner in Beneath the 12-Mile Reef
Robert Wagner in Beneath the 12-Mile Reef

He worked his way up from uncredited debuts to larger roles. This progression required constant work, including traveling to sell movies and performing on stage.

His early film career can be divided into several distinct phases. First, he served as a supporting player in war films like Halls of Montezuma and The Frogmen. He often worked alongside actor Jeffrey Hunter during this time. Second, he moved into more prominent roles in comedies and Westerns. He played the romantic lead in Stars and Stripes Forever and appeared in the Western Broken Lance. Third, he reached his first starring role in the 1953 film Beneath the 12-Mile Reef.

Jean peters broken lance5
Jean peters broken lance5

While reviews were poor, the film was a major hit because it used CinemaScope technology.

Wagner's personal history is rooted in the American Midwest. He was born on February 10, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan. His father, Robert John Wagner Sr., was a traveling salesman for the Ford Motor Company. His mother, Thelma Hazel Alvera, was a former telephone operator.

Wood - Wagner - 1960
Wood - Wagner - 1960

His family heritage included Norwegian and German immigrants. In 1937, his family relocated to Bel-Air, an upscale area of Los Angeles. This move placed him near the center of the American film industry.

Throughout his career, Wagner managed various business and professional milestones. In 1961, he and his first wife, Natalie Wood, formed Rona Productions. The company name was a combination of the first two letters of their first names.

Through this company, they signed a three-picture deal with Columbia Pictures. Wagner also navigated complex legal and financial situations in the industry. For example, he and Wood held a 50% share in the television series Charlie's Angels. He spent many years in court arguing over the definition of profits for that show.

Wagner is perhaps most famous for his transition to television stardom. In 1967, Lew Wasserman of Universal convinced him to try the medium. This led to his role in the series It Takes a Thief from 1968 to 1970.

Robert Wagner and Jill St. John on boat
Robert Wagner and Jill St. John on boat

He later starred in the series Switch alongside his childhood hero, Eddie Albert.

Eddie Albert Robert Wagner Switch 1975
Eddie Albert Robert Wagner Switch 1975

His most successful television role was in Hart to Hart, which aired from 1979 to 1984. Producers chose him for the role because they felt the audience would not resent his persona.

His filmography includes a wide variety of notable and surprising examples. He appeared in the massive hit The Pink Panther in 1963. He also acted in the disaster film The Towering Inferno in 1972.

Later in his life, he played the character Number 2 in the Austin Powers trilogy. He also maintained a presence on television through recurring roles in Two and a Half Men and NCIS. These diverse roles demonstrate his ability to adapt to changing audience tastes over many years.

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🖼️ Images & Media (8)
File:Robert Wagner in Beneath the 12-Mile Reef.jpg
Robert Wagner in Beneath the 12-Mile Reef.jpg
File:Jean peters broken lance5.jpg
Jean peters broken lance5.jpg
File:Robert Wagner and Jill St. John on boat.jpg
Robert Wagner and Jill St. John on boat.jpg
File:Eddie Albert Robert Wagner Switch 1975.JPG
Eddie Albert Robert Wagner Switch 1975.JPG
File:Robert Wagner on MBN Newsvideoweb.jpg
Robert Wagner on MBN Newsvideoweb.jpg
File:Jill St. John and Robert Wagner.jpg
Jill St. John and Robert Wagner.jpg
File:Wood - Wagner - 1960.jpg
Wood - Wagner - 1960.jpg
File:Robert and Katie Wagner on MBN Newsvideoweb.jpg
Robert and Katie Wagner on MBN Newsvideoweb.jpg
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