Robert Prosky

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).

Prosky's other notable movies include '' Gremlins 2: The New Batch'' (1990), '' Hoffa'' (1992), '' Mrs. Doubtfire'' (1993), ''Last Action Hero'' (1993), '' Rudy'' (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, was born in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Helen (Kuhn) and Joseph Porzuczek. His father was a grocer and butcher. 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.

Career

Prosky appeared in ''Thief'', '' 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 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. His role in ''Veronica's Closet'' was likely a nod to this, as in both shows he played 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.

Death

Prosky died on December 8, 2008, just 5 days before his 78th birthday, while living in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, D.C. His son John said that the cause was complications of heart surgery at the Washington Hospital Center.Martin, Douglas. (December 11, 2008)
"Robert Prosky, 77, an Actor of Wide Range and Acumen, Is Dead"
''The New York Times''. ''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''."

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

Filmography

Film

Television

Stage

References

External links

Robert Prosky Papers at GMU
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AP Obituary in ''The Philadelphia Inquirer''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Prosky, Robert
1930 births
2008 deaths
Male actors from Philadelphia
American male film actors
American male stage actors
American male television actors
American male voice actors
American people of Polish descent
Drama Desk Award winners
Temple University alumni
Burials at Rock Creek Cemetery
20th-century American male actors
21st-century American male actors