1. Robert Prosky became a well-known supporting actor in the 1980s with his roles in Thief, Christine, The Natural, and Broadcast News.
15 Facts About Robert Prosky
1. 2.
Robert Prosky, a Polish American, was born in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Helen and Joseph Porzuczek.
3.
Robert Prosky was raised in a working-class neighborhood and studied at the American Theatre Wing, later graduating from Temple University.
4.
Robert Prosky performed at Old Academy Players, a small theater in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, adjacent to Manayunk.
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Robert Prosky served in the US Air Force during the Korean War, but got a hardship discharge to help with the family store when his father died suddenly.
6.
Robert 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.
7.
Robert Prosky appeared as Will Darnell, the man who owned the auto repair shop where Arnie Cunningham rebuilds the possessed car "Christine" in the film based on Stephen King's novel.
8.
Robert Prosky portrayed Jake "the Snake" Connolly on a two-part 1991 episode of Coach.
9.
Robert Prosky 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.
10.
Robert Prosky 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.
11.
Robert Prosky often performed at Arena Stage with over 100 stage credits to his name at that theatre alone.
12.
Robert Prosky played Shelly Levene in the 1984 Chicago and Broadway production of David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Glengarry Glen Ross.
13.
Robert Prosky 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.
14.
Robert Prosky continued to perform on stage and present lectures on his long career at universities, film festivals, for theater benefits, business groups and on cruises.
15.
Robert Prosky died on December 8,2008, at age 77 while living in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington, DC His son John said that the cause was complications of heart surgery at the Washington Hospital Center.