"Straight Shooting" - whether skeet shooting, or portraying 'Eliot Ness . Truly one of the greats, a fine gentleman and a great actor, Robert Stack died at age 84 of a heart attack on May 14, 2003 in Beverly Hills, California.
Served as a gunnery officer in the United States Navy for more than three years during World War II.
Father of Charles Stack and actress Elizabeth Stack.
His grandfather Modini was not really an Italian. He had changed his name to further his career as an opera singer.
His ancestors were among the first to settle in California.
He met the real-life Mrs. Eliot Ness when his biography was presented on "This Is Your Life" (1952) in 1960. He was clearly touched at her praise of his portrayal of her late husband.
Had been diagnosed with prostate cancer the year before his death.
World War II veteran who was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle Ribbon and Expert Pistol Ribbon.
Although he had nothing against comedy (he acted in several), he always said the role he always refused to play was any sort of satire or parody of Eliot Ness. He always wanted to play the role seriously.
As a child, his mother introduced him to movie stars like Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy so they could act as surrogate father figures to him. They often took him hunting and fishing.
Before he was cast as Eliot Ness on "The Untouchables" , Van Johnson and Van Heflin were considered for the role.
In 1937, he was the United States 20-gauge champion skeet marksman, and held the record for more than 350 consecutive hits.
Portrayed General Joseph W. Stilwell in 1941 , John Paul Jones in John Paul Jones , and Eliot Ness on "The Untouchables" , three real-life figures from American history.
Initially thought the television series "The Untouchables" would not work and only took this just to prove his point. Instead, the series became a success, and lasted four years.
In October 1940, he escorted Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer actress Laraine Day to her 20th birthday party at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
Was friends with Ronald Reagan , and made monetary contributions to Reagans presidential campaigns.
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 524-526. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
By late December 1955, it was announced that Stack was to star in The Proud Ones but eventually the role was played by Robert Ryan.
Son of James Stack and Betzi Stack.
Ex-brother-in-law of Wanda Hendrix.
Received the John F. Kennedy National Award.
Was an expert in the art of Skeet Shooting.
Inducted into the National Skeet Shooting Association Hall of Fame .
Inducted into the California Skeet Shooting Association Hall of Fame (inaugural class).
He was awarded a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California on December 6, 1996.
He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7001 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.
Following his death, he was interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.
He played Lieutenant Andrei Sobinski in To Be or Not to Be while his 1941 co-star Tim Matheson played him in the remake To Be or Not to Be .
Great-uncle of Taran Killam.
As a matter of national survival, we need to do the best we can to,sponsor the good guys and to do something active about bringing down,the bad guys.
I am very pro law enforcement.
You go to Lifetimetv. com or unsolved. com and you personally can be an,important part of solving cases. This is where the interaction, the,symbiotic between the viewer and the show, is important.
I play bad golf for good charities like the L. A. police.
