Robert Culp has passed away
"Those of us who are the firstborn always dream of that imaginary brother or sister who will be their protector, the buffer, the one to take the blows. I'm a firstborn, and Bob was the answer to my dreams. He was the big brother that all of us wish for." ~ Bill Cosby on his I-Spy co-star Robert Culp (79), who died of a heart attack yesterday after a fall outside his Hollywood Hills home
During his extensive six-decade television and film career, the versatile, debonair character actor played a number of roles that made him an instantly recognizable figure to audiences, including Hoby Gilman in Trackdown (his breakout role,) FBI Agent Bill Maxwell in The Greatest American Hero and Bob, in the movie "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice." He never won an Emmy.
And to at least one reviewer, he was the finest Columbo villain of all time.
During the 60's, he promoted civil rights causes with Bill Cosby. Most recently, he was an active proponent for animal rights.
Clips: I-Spy (hulu), Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice (Youtube), The Greatest American Hero (hulu -- intro is available on Youtube) Also, the archive of American Television has an interview with him from 11/07 regarding I-Spy.
Something else worth noting:
I-Spy had a tremendous impact, as it was filmed and aired during the height of the Civil Rights movement. TV Tropes has a wonderful summary:
Not only was it the first show to be filmed in exotic locations around the world (and utilized revolutionary filming techniques to do it) but it was also the first to feature a black actor in a co-starring role that was in every way equal to the white lead actor's role. Bill Cosby was also the first black actor to win an Emmy Award because of his wonderful work on this show. It is also worthy of note that before being cast in I Spy he had no acting experience. Although Bill Cosby was second-billed (simply because Culp was the more well-known personality at the time) he was not simply a Token Minority but was to be an integral part of the show since its conception. Also, although both characters were created as equals, Alexander Scott was depicted as having a better education (including being a Rhodes scholar) than his partner Kelly Robinson. A very enjoyable series with some truly wonderful chemistry between its two leads.
From the LA Times obit link above, an awesome quote from Bill Cosby: At Culp's suggestion, he said, "we agreed to make the relationship between the white character, Kelly Robinson, and the black man, Alexander Scott, a beautiful relationship, so that people could see what it would be like if two cats like that could get along."
Mr. Culp was married 5 times. He leaves behind 5 children and 5 grandchildren.
During his extensive six-decade television and film career, the versatile, debonair character actor played a number of roles that made him an instantly recognizable figure to audiences, including Hoby Gilman in Trackdown (his breakout role,) FBI Agent Bill Maxwell in The Greatest American Hero and Bob, in the movie "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice." He never won an Emmy.
And to at least one reviewer, he was the finest Columbo villain of all time.
During the 60's, he promoted civil rights causes with Bill Cosby. Most recently, he was an active proponent for animal rights.
Clips: I-Spy (hulu), Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice (Youtube), The Greatest American Hero (hulu -- intro is available on Youtube) Also, the archive of American Television has an interview with him from 11/07 regarding I-Spy.
Something else worth noting:
I-Spy had a tremendous impact, as it was filmed and aired during the height of the Civil Rights movement. TV Tropes has a wonderful summary:
Not only was it the first show to be filmed in exotic locations around the world (and utilized revolutionary filming techniques to do it) but it was also the first to feature a black actor in a co-starring role that was in every way equal to the white lead actor's role. Bill Cosby was also the first black actor to win an Emmy Award because of his wonderful work on this show. It is also worthy of note that before being cast in I Spy he had no acting experience. Although Bill Cosby was second-billed (simply because Culp was the more well-known personality at the time) he was not simply a Token Minority but was to be an integral part of the show since its conception. Also, although both characters were created as equals, Alexander Scott was depicted as having a better education (including being a Rhodes scholar) than his partner Kelly Robinson. A very enjoyable series with some truly wonderful chemistry between its two leads.
From the LA Times obit link above, an awesome quote from Bill Cosby: At Culp's suggestion, he said, "we agreed to make the relationship between the white character, Kelly Robinson, and the black man, Alexander Scott, a beautiful relationship, so that people could see what it would be like if two cats like that could get along."
Mr. Culp was married 5 times. He leaves behind 5 children and 5 grandchildren.