Preamble: The following was written in the late summer of 1986. I had noticed that Bob's biography sent out with photos to agencies was out of date, and mentioned it to him. He suggested I write a new one for him. "Robert Fuller: A Cowboy at Heart" is the result. It was culled from prior biographies and updated information. Looking back, I was very nervous at the thought of trying to write the bio, and I so wanted to impress. As a result, the bio is not half of what it should have been. It is much too long, way too wordy, and as I read it now, definitely too repetitive. Still, I got a big chuckle one day when I entered a memorabilia shop and found my bio attached to a photo, so someone used it for something, at least once! Thus, offered for your consideration, if only for a bit of background and a chuckle, is this now out of date biography.
Robert Fuller, perhaps best known in recent times as "Dr. Kelly Brackett" in the hit seventies series EMERGENCY!, is, in reality, a cowboy at heart, having done his share of "riding on the range".
Born in Troy, New York, Fuller, who attended military school, moved westward with his parents, choreographer Bob Cole and his headline dancer wife Betty, making pit stops in Miami, Key West, and Chicago before settling in Hollywood (in 1950), a site purposely chosen by his parents to give Fuller the best possible show business opportunities.
Prior to a hitch in the Korean Conflict, Fuller, who had studied dancing, landed roles in several films, dancing behind Marilyn Monroe in GENTLEMEN PREFER BLONDES and in the chorus behind Ricardo Montalban in LATIN LOVERS. He also had small bits on TV shows such as SKY KING while also working as a professional stuntman.
After completing his infantry service, Fuller performed in a variety of "extra" sports. His first substantial break came when he was hired to play a soldier opposite Gary Cooper in FRIENDLY PERSUASION and was given his first speaking part: one line. In 1957, Fuller received good reviews for his portrayal of a teenage troublemaker in his first starring theatrical movie, TEENAGE THUNDER. This was followed by a 1958 film, now gaining cult-like status, THE BRAIN FROM PLANET AROUS, in addition to numerous television appearances, including MIKE HAMMER and LUX PLAYHOUSE OF THE STARS.
In the early months of 1959, Fuller landed ten solid leads in TV series, including WAGON TRAIN, ALCOA PREMIER, and CIMARRON CITY. Though he performed in a variety of show styles, the actor's credits show that even at this early stage Fuller's cowboy nature shone through as he already had starred in numerous westerns. Not raised in the cowboy culture, Fuller had rapidly adapted to and adopted the western flair.
Then came the actor's big break as Fuller won the role of free-spirited "Jess Harper", a gunfighter turned rancher in the 1870's, in NBC's LARAMIE, which ran successfully for four seasons. After the premier, VARIETY termed Fuller "a darkly handsome youngster who's got that gutsy look indigenous to western heroes." One year later, the same publication called Fuller and co-star John Smith "strapping cowboy heroes with plenty of sex appeal." As the co-star of LARAMIE, Fuller won wide acclaim and gained stardom, accompanied by a steadily increasing popularity which spread overseas, especially in Japan and Germany.
An avid outdoorsman and sportsman, Fuller has often lived daringly, having learned and practiced the arts of judo, fencing, archery, skindiving, shark hunting using only bow and arrow, sailing and parachuting. An expert marksman with the awards to prove it, Fuller was at home on the saddle and when LARAMIE folded, he immediately latched on to the long-running and highly-acclaimed ABC program WAGON TRAIN where he portrayed scout, "Cooper Smith", a part not all that unlike Fuller's beloved "Jess Harper."
WAGON TRAIN was followed by leading roles in a number of feature films, including INCIDENT AT PHANTOM HILL, THE RETURN OF THE SEVEN, and WHATEVER HAPPENED TO AUNT ALICE, but it was Fuller's departure from his accustomed cowboy character to that of a returned Vietnam marine, adapting to the motorcycle culture in Burt Topper's 1971 film THE HARD RIDE which caught the eye of Jack Webb, who immediately went after Fuller to star in his new action series EMERGNECY!. Fuller, who has always accepted roles, not just for the validty and strength of a given character, but also for his believeability in those roles, shied away from the doctor portrayal, but Webb persisted, finally signing Fuller to the landmark NBC series. Now in syndication, the medical drama is gaining even more popularity elsewhere, especially in Mexico.
Just as he had done prior to EMERGENCY!'s 1971-1978 run, Fuller, who with a seductively deep voice has done several voice-overs for nationally advertised products, took the opportunity to don his western garb whenever possible such as in an episode of HEC RAMSEY and in LARAMIE producer John C. Champion's MUSTANG COUNTRY in 1976.
When "Dr. Brackett" "retired" in 1978, Fuller eagerly signed on to not only star as "James Read" but also to narrate the telefilm DONNER PASS: THE ROAD TO SURVIVAL. This was followed by featured parts in VALENTINE, released as SEPARATE WAYS in 1981, and the 1979 telefilm DISASTER ON THE COASTLINER. Afterward, Fuller took time to enjoy his adventurous spirit, occasionally hunting in Oklahoma and fishing off the Florida coast. After signing on for a guest appearance on a new salt-water fishing show locally produced in Florida, Fuller's second home, the actor quickly seized the opporunity to become the show's host when informed the format was still open. "This is all I've ever wanted to do in my life, "Fuller stated, adding "I do get paid for this.". An experienced deep-sea fisherman, Fuller spent the next several months fishing with many of his buddies in the Bahamas, resulting in 26 episodes of the series FISHING FEVER, nationally syndicated in 1984.
In the early eighties, Fuller guested on a number of popular shows, including THE FALL GUY, MATT HOUSTON, and BLACKE'S MAGIC in which, though not technically a cowboy, he was able to portray "Police Chief Rocky Datchery" with a country style. Having starred in so many western films and series, including a 1980 ABC pilot JAKE'S WAY, Fuller hopes the classic western finds its way back to television. "We've all grown up with the values those westerns personified," Fuller has stated, "People will want to see them again."
Fuller's most recent work included "Foreman Charley Poke" in BONANZA: THE NEXT GENERATION, COMEBACK, produced in Japan, and the yet-to-be-aired mini-series GOLD RUSH which was shot in Russia last year. His seductive voice can still be heard in commercials as well, including one for a law film on the east coast.
Throughout his career, Fuller has been honored in a number of ways. In the early sixties, he was the first American to receive Japan's highest civilian honor, The Golden Order of Merit. West Germany rewarded Fuller's dynamic LARAMIE and WAGON TRAIN portrayals by presenting him with five Otto Awards, the equivalent to the Emmy, and also honored Fuller with their version of the Oscar for his 1967 performance in MIDSUMMER NIGHT (MITTSOMMERNACHT). In addition, during the height of EMERGENCY!'s popularity, on April 16, 1975, Fuller was given a star in a select spot on Hollywood Boulevard on the coveted Walk of Fame.
Though divorced, Fuller is a family man and tries to spend as much time as possible with his children, first-born son Rob, an aspiring actor and stuntman using the name R.J. Fuller, now doing "extra" spots while following in his father's footsteps, daughter Christine, who often performed at the Burt Reynold's Dinner Theater in Florida, and youngest son Patrick, who shares his father's love for tennis. In fact, Fuller often participates in charity tennis tournaments, attending fundraisers held in Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, and throughtout California, including events in Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Incline Village where he won the Lakeside Tennis Classic in June of 1986.
Preferring a quieter existence than that of the glittering Hollywood flash, the 5'11", ruggedly handsome blue-eyed actor, self-described as "honest, loyal, and fun-loving," remains close to a very supportive group of friends, both in and out of show business. A country music enthusiast who also enjoys a good pradctical joke, Fuller has worked hard to raise his children with the values and ideals he holds dear, including respect for others a love for their country.
In 1962, Fuller stated that westerns "are the only thing that really take you out of this world into fantasy." A quarter of a century later, Fuller believes it is still true "in the purest sense." With unlimited enthuiasm and a varied array of talents, Fuller will continue to be the sporting outdoorsman and horseman that he is, and he will also continue to thrill audiences everywhere with superb performances in an unlimited variety of dramatic roles, but in his heart and those of his many admirers, Robert Fuller will always be a cowboy!
Update: Bob, of course, has continued to act in the 80's and 90's with guest starring roles in shows such as TOUR OF DUTY, JAG, and WALKER: TEXAS RANGER where he played the grandson of "Jess Harper" (unofficially, of course). He attended the EMERGENCY! convention a few years ago, and still travels to various western get-togethers and collector's shows. In 2001, Bob married long time girlfriend, Jennifer Savidge, best known for her role on ST. ELSEWHERE. Bob is still a fan favorite, with a charming personality, beautiful eyes, and an alluring smile!
John Smith: Profile of a Cowboy Actor
by Mary Brown
Written 1991
When it comes right down to it, his long career in the movies and television happened quite by chance. As a youngster at the ripe old age of 14, John, then known as Bobby (his real name was Robert Van Orden), had joined the Bob Mitchell Boys Choir. Well known for their excellence in singing and for the discipline, the choir sang in the Bing Crosby classic GOING MY WAY. That was John's first taste of acting.
"I never even really considered acting as a career," he now admits. "It just happened." But it didn't happen as quickly as some might imagine. After graduating from high school, John attended UCLA where he majored in aeronautical engineering. "It seemed like a good thing to do," John says, "but I wasn't really sure it was what I wanted for the rest of my life." So he dropped out of school and went to work. He landed a job at MGM as a mimeograph operator and quickly advanced to a position of messenger. Delivering scripts to a casting department, he was approached by a director. "Too bad you don't have a SAG (Screen Actor's Guide) card, kid. You're just what we're looking for to play Jimmy Stewart's brother in CARBINE WILLIAMS." John's reply came without thought. "I do have a card -- from GOING MY WAY." He landed the part, and found his career goal.
When he finished the film, he returned to his post as messenger, but had had definite goals in mind. He liked acting and wanted to pursue the profession. To do that would take coaching from a professional. He bagan attending Lillian Burn's dramatic classes on Friday afternoons - on company time - and was promptly fired. From there he began the life of a struggling actor - taking odd jobs just to stay alive.
But his old haunts at MGM seemed to call him back, and one afternoon, he dropped in - just for a visit - just to say hello to his old buddies. It was on that visit that he was noticed by Hollywood's then premier talent agent, Henry Willson. The two set up a meeting that evening at Ciro's, and although the meeeting seemed a little out of the ordinary, John complied. "Many years later, when I was doing pretty well in the business, I asked Henry what that meeting at Ciro's was all about," John recalls. Willson's answer was direct - he simply wanted to see if the young man he hoped to make a star could turn heads. There was no question in Willson's mind after the meeting that the young man was right for the screen.
There was, of course, the formalities of contracts between the agent and the young actor. Then there was the problem of a name. Hollywood, at the time, was teeming with Rocks and Tabs and Rorys. Robert Van Orden sounded a little too much like all the others, so Willson decided to change the distinctive handle to a simpler minoker. With a name like John Smith, Willson was certain he couldn't go wrong.
More likely than the name change, it was Smith's acting talents and Willson's abilities that landed the first few roles, and from that point on, John's acting jobs came regularly. His first credited role was in the John Wayne classic, THE HIGH AND THE MIGHTY. "It was quite a thrill with with Duke Wayne, on my first real picture," John now admits. "I always admired Duke." The feeling, no doubt, was mutual, for the two struck up a friendship that would last the length of Wayne's life. Other important roles followed for John, including parts in FRIENDLY PERSUASION with Gary Cooper, and WE'RE NO ANGELS with Humphrey Bogart. At a time when westerns were at their zenith, John was bound to land a cowboy role and it finally came in the form of SEVEN ANGRY MEN, where he played one of John Brown's sons. In it he proved both his abilities an an actor and as a hand with horses. More western roles followed including WICHITA, GHOST TOWN and FURY AT SUNDOWN.
His talent as an actor was well established and it was evident from the box office results that he attracted viewers. With the question of his horsemanship also taken care of, he was in the TV series CIMARRON CITY, co-staring with George Montgomery. "It was a good series," he now recalls. "That's where I met Dan Blocker (of BONANZA fame). He played the part of my deputy, Tiny, and he was just great. We had a lot of fun together."
CIMARRON CITY was different in its approach to the TV western and, despite of, or because of its uniqueness, was canceled after one year. At that time, however, John's popularity was soaring, and he was immediately cast in a new series about to go into production. The new series was LARAMIE, which co-starred Robert Fuller. In the show John rode a handsome chestnut gelding that performed well for him. "I loved that old horse," he admits. The old horse who really wasn't very old, was Alamo. "I bought Alamo from Duke Wayne," John explains. "Duke rode him in the movie, ALAMO, and that's how he got his name. It takes a very special horse to work in pictures - one that really knows how to act - and Alamo was very good at that. Best part about him was he always did what I asked him - he always made me look good." Both the horse and the rider could obviously act, for LARAMIE stayed on the air for four years. Attesting to its success and "watchability", to this day, LARAMIE has its own set of ardent followers who study the show with focused dedication.
After LARAMIE, John Smith joined his old friend, John Wayne in making the Henry Hathaway classic, CIRCUS WORLD. Later, he landed a role as a horse trainer in the Disney film JUSTIN MORGAN HAD A HORSE. "That was a pretty interesting situation," John recalls. "I was supposed to be a horse trainer - training thoroughbreds for this rich guy. That was all well and good. Problem was they had this crazy horse they wanted me to ride. He was a thoroughbred and had been on the track and all he wanted to do was run. I had my hands full with that one, but we managed to get through it all right."
Since then there have been other films and countless guest appearances, but now at age 60, John is semi-retired making only a few personal appearances each year and keeping his workload to a minimum. "I've fallen off enough horses," he now laughs. "I still love to ride though and I'll always love horses," he says pausing a moment in fond recollection. "Boy, that Alamo was quite a horse," his affections for the horse obvious from the mist in his eyes. With 30 years of actiing success behind him, in a town made of glitz and glitter, it is refreshing to see that John Smith recalls and appreciates the simple things in his life.
Update: John died on January 25, 1995, in Los Angeles.
This page is still under construction and will eventually contain a more detailed account on the entire magnificent cast of "Laramie".
A brief cast listing follows:
Guest stars were plenty. A young Ryan O'Neal can be spotted in one episode. Top stars of the times such as Rod Cameron and Gena Rowlands were in various episodes. An up and coming Charles Bronson was in one episode.
Stay tuned for more and in the meantime ... surf on to some of the already completed pages!
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Page Last Updated 05/29/02
