Biography
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Alda (February 26, 1914 – May 3, 1986) was an American theatrical and film actor and father of actors Alan and Antony Alda. A singer and dancer, Alda was featured in a number of Broadway productions before moving to Italy during the early 1960s. He appeared in many European films over the next two decades, occasionally returning to the U.S. for film appearances such as The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1969).
Alda, an American of Italian descent, was born Alphonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo in New York, New York, the son of Frances (née Tumillo) and Antonio D'Abruzzo, a barber born in Sant'Agata de' Goti, Benevento, Campania, Italy. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York in 1930. He began as a singer and dancer in vaudeville after winning a talent contest, and moved on to burlesque.
Alda is known for portraying George Gershwin in the biopic Rhapsody in Blue (1945) as well as the talent agent in the Douglas Sirk classic Imitation of Life (1959). He was very successful on Broadway, starring in Guys and Dolls (1950), for which he won a Tony Award, and in What Makes Sammy Run? (1964). He was also the host of the short-lived DuMont TV version of the game show What's Your Bid? (May–June 1953).
Alda's first wife, and mother of actor Alan Alda, Joan Browne, was a homemaker and former beauty pageant winner. Alda was married to his second wife, Flora Marino, an Italian actress whom he met in Rome, until his death.
Alda made two guest appearances with his son Alan on M*A*S*H, in the episodes "The Consultant" (January 1975) and "Lend a Hand" (February 1980). The latter episode also featured Antony Alda (1956–2009), his younger son by his second wife.
Alda appeared in an episode of The Feather and Father Gang in 1977.
Alda died on May 3, 1986, aged 72, after a long illness following a stroke.
Filmography
all 84
TV Shows 43
Movies 41
self 6
Doses of Horror (2018)
Beyond Westworld (1980)
Lucy Moves to NBC (1980)
Supertrain (1979)
Express to Terror (1979)
Spider-Man Strikes Back (1978)
The Squeeze (1978)
Perfect Gentlemen (1978)
Fame (1978)
Every Girl Should Have One (1978)
The Incredible Hulk (1977)
The Love Boat (1977)
Quincy, M.E. (1976)
Bittersweet Love (1976)
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood (1976)
I Will, I Will...For Now (1976)
Wonder Woman (1975)
Last Hours Before Morning (1975)
The House of Exorcism (1975)
Cagliostro (1975)
The Rockford Files (1974)
Kojak (1973)
The Serpent (1973)
M*A*S*H (1972)
The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1969)
Here's Lucy (1968)
Mission: Impossible (1966)
The Lucy Show (1962)
Musketeers of the Sea (1962)
Force of Impulse (1961)
The Devil's Hand (1961)
Cleopatra's Daughter (1960)
Un militare e mezzo (1960)
Imitation of Life (1959)
Pursuit (1958)
Naked City (1958)
Beautiful But Dangerous (1955)
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955)
The Millionaire (1955)
Assignment Abroad (1955)
Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)
Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951)
Two Gals and a Guy (1951)
Mister Universe (1951)
Lux Video Theatre (1950)
What's My Line? (1950)
Hollywood Varieties (1950)
April Showers (1948)
Nora Prentiss (1947)
The Beast with Five Fingers (1947)
The Man I Love (1946)
Cinderella Jones (1946)
Rhapsody in Blue (1945)
Gallery
Information
Known ForActing
GenderMale
Birthday1914-02-26
Deathday1986-05-03 (72 years old)
Birth NameAlphonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo
Birth PlaceNew York City, United States
ChildrenAntony Alda, Alan Alda
CitizenshipsUnited States
Also Known AsAlfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo
AwardsTony Award for Best Actor in a Musical
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