Robert Alda
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.
Known For | Acting |
---|---|
Most Rating | 7.454 |
Birthday | 1914-02-26 |
Place of Birth | New York City, New York, USA |
Also Known As | Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo, |
1947
Nora Prentiss
5.9/18
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1946
The Man I Love
5.9/20
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1959
Imitation of Life
7.4/266
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1947
The Beast with Five Fingers
6.3/44
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1945
Rhapsody in Blue
6.4/14
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Rhapsody in Blue
1946
Cloak and Dagger
6.4/54
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1949
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1961
The Devil's Hand
4.4/36
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1955
Beautiful But Dangerous
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1948
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1976
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1967
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0/0
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1973
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1978
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1976
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1951
Mister Universe
5/2
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1978
Spider-Man Strikes Back
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1960
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7/3
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1961
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1979
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1980
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Doses of Horror
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1962
Totò e Peppino divisi a Berlino
6.5/44
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1978
Perfect Gentlemen
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1975
Cagliostro
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1976
Won Ton Ton: The Dog Who Saved Hollywood
4.1/15
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1978
Fame
0/0
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1950
Hollywood Varieties
0/0
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1960
Cleopatra's Daughter
4.4/4
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1955
Assignment Abroad
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