Robert Stack moved to Europe at the age of 3 with his mother following her divorce. Upon his return to Los Angeles at age 6, Robert, who was fluent in Italian and French, became fluent in English. He grew up amongst stars such as Clark Gable, Spencer Tracy, Fred MacMurray and Carole Lombard. Although he took drama courses at USC, Robert was best known at the time for coming in 2nd in the National Skeet Shooting Championship and for being part of a team that broke the standing record. He was also a top speedboat racer.

But Robert wouldn’t be deterred from acting for long. Three short years later, he arrived in Universal City and almost immediately garnered his first on-screen role at the age 20. With his curly blond hair turned black and straight, Robert played Deanna Durbin’s lover in First Love, and gave the teenage singer what was thought to be her first kiss. That film was only the beginning of what would become a lucrative career in Hollywood. Another first happened in 1952 when Robert starred in the first 3-D movie ever, Bwana Devil, which broke box office records. In between, Robert acted in several movies: The Mortal Storm, Nice Girl?, To Be or Not to Be, Eagle Squadron, Fighter Squadron, Miss Tatlock’s Millions, A Date With Judy, Bullfighter and the Lady and several westerns.

In 1955 Robert’s love life took a dramatic turn when he was introduced to Rosemarie Bowe. Two years later they were married, and went on to have 2 children, Elizabeth and Charlie. Robert balanced being a father and a movie star, acting in The High and the Mighty and Written on the Wind, for which he received an Academy Award nomination for his supporting role.

Robert then segued into television, landing in his signature role in the series “The Untouchables” as the unforgettable Eliot Ness. The series lasted from 1959 to 1963 and Robert earned an Emmy award for his portrayal of the tough-guy hero. But that wasn’t all for Robert. He went on to act in the television series “The Name of the Game” “Strike Force” and “Most Wanted.”

In addition to television, Robert also appeared in TV movies. But Robert didn’t only act in dramas. Some of his most beloved roles were in comedic movies, such as 1941, Airplane! and Caddyshack II. Robert went on to host the popular television series Unsolved Mysteries for more than a decade and in 1980, he published his memoirs entitled “Straight Shooting.” His last work was as the narrator of “Little Shop of Horrors” for Broadway in April of 2003. On May 12, 2003, Robert Stack passed away in his Bel Air home due to heart failure. All told, Robert Stack appeared in over 70 films.

Robert had many fans, many of which were his friends. Nancy Reagan said that Robert “had an extraordinary career in both movies and television. Just when it seemed he was ready to retire, he always found a new project that kept him busy and filled with wonderful stories.” Actor Robert Wagner called Stack, “a consummate professional. He was very admired by his fellow actors. You knew he was going to give you everything he could give you. He was raised the standard in every way. As a human being, he was a true gentleman and a man of great integrity.” John Milius, Robert’s longtime friend said, “He was a golden boy who became a golden man. Nobody lived a better life that I know of than Bob.”