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Robert Fuller was born in Troy, New York on July 29, 1933 at 1:50 PM and was raised in Key West, Florida. He was an only child and his birth name was Leonard Leroy Lee, but he was nicknamed Buddy Lee by his friends.

Robert started his education at St Mary's in New York and when his mother Betty divorced she took Robert and they moved to Florida where she was nightclub dancer. Robert was put into Miami Military Academy, where he did 5th to 6th grade. After that he spent one year in a standard school. At this time Betty met and married Robert Simpson who was a naval officer and they moved to Chicago for one year then returned to Key West where he attended Robert attended Key West High for 9th grade. (15 years of age). Robert quit school at 9th grade as he did not enjoy school and openly admits he did not do well there. He worked a variety of jobs before moving to Hollywood.

When his mother Betty married Robert Simpson, Robert took the name Robert Simpson Jr. This changed when Robert started acting and he decided he needed a different handle. At the time he had no idea what his name should be but he had a relative with a first name of Fuller and he figured it went well with his name so the handle of Robert Fuller was created. Robert was very close to his step-dad and considered him as a dad rather than a step-dad, so for the remainder of this biography I will refer to him as Robert's dad or father.

Eventually, Betty convinced Robert Simpson to quit the navy. She taught him to dance, and this led to them opening a dance school in Key West. In the daytime his mother taught ballet to the local children and in the evening they both taught ballroom dancing to the hundreds of navy personnel who were stationed in Key West at that time. In 1950 when Robert was just 16 his parents decided to move to Hollywood. Robert's dad became a very accomplished dancer, and had a plan to get into the motion picture business as a dancer, which he did successfully. His dad subsequently changed his name to Robert Cole and danced in almost every musical made between 1950 up to his retirement in 1987. This included working in many top grade musicals such as Oklahoma, Jailhouse Rock, Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and Gentlemen Prefer Blondes in which young Robert Fuller also appeared as a dancer in the chorus line.

After the move to Hollywood Robert had several jobs. The most significant of these was at Graumans Chinese Theatre where he started as a doorman and worked his way up to Assistant Manager. He met a number of people around his own age of 18 years, who were members of the Screen Extras Guild, and they convinced him to join as they were earning significantly more than Robert. This was the start of Robert's journey into acting, and it was then he changed from Robert Simpson Jr to Robert Fuller.

After joining SEG Robert started doing extra work and in 1952 got his first job in the movie Above and Beyond with Robert Taylor. This was followed by extra work in a great many films including Raintree County with Liz Taylor, The Harder They Fall with Humphrey Bogart and The Man In The Grey Flannel Suit with Gregory Peck.

His Dad convinced him to look for jobs as a dancer which he did successfully getting roles in I Love Melvin with Debbie Reynolds, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes with Marilyn Monroe and Latin Lovers with Lana Turner.

In 1953, while the Korean war was on, Robert at the age of 19 was drafted into the United States Army where he served 2 years, 15 months of which was in Korea. His unit was 19th Infantry Regiment and he was chosen 3 times as the outstanding soldier on Guard Mount, a decision based upon appearance, knowledge of military subjects and bearing.

When he returned home in 1955 he decided to give up his career in show business as he did not see any future in it. However his dad, along with his long time pal Chuck Courtney, convinced him to attend Richard Boone's acting class. This was a pivotal move for Robert as the class impressed him so much he changed his mind, decided to stay in show business and take a shot at becoming an actor. After studying with Boone for a year, Boone was impressed enough with Robert's potential that he recommended him to Sanford Meisner who accepted Robert into the New York Neighbourhood Playhouse School Of Theatre. Meisner was a highly respected acting teacher who taught future stars like Gregory Peck, Jon Voight, Robert Duvall, Edmund O'Brien and Grace Kelly. Robert was in good company.

In 1956 came his first speaking part in a movie where he played a union soldier and said to Gary Cooper "Bet you a dollar you can't do that again." The film was "Friendly Persuasion," and not only was it Robert's first talking part in a movie, it was also the first time he worked with his Laramie co-star John Smith. Originally director William Wyler had wanted another actor to play the part Robert was given, however he was unimpressed with the fact the other actor had false sideburns. Robert's sideburns were real and when Wyler saw Robert he called him over and asked him if he could act - Robert said "You Bet." Wyler then said "Say this line - "I bet I can knock down more than you can." Robert repeated the line and Wyler without hesitation said "Give this kid the part."

This was a turning point for Robert and the beginning of a great career.

Following Friendly Persuasion Robert had a number of small speaking parts and then in 1956 came his big break in Teenage Thunder.

To get the part he and his good friend Chuck Courtney staged a fight to convince the Director, Paul Helmick, that he was the man for the part. Originally Helmick had wanted Edd Byrnes but after seeing Chuck and Robert perform Helmick gave the role of bad guy Maurie Weston to Robert. The very same year Robert did another film for the same company that produced Teenage Thunder and again worked with the same production team. This film was the cult science fiction movie "The Brain From Planet Arous" with John Agar. After over 50 years this film is still available on DVD.

This was followed by a part in a science fiction series where he played a bad guy and was killed in the 3rd episode. The name of this series was Outpost In Space.

He spent the next couple of years doing featured and guest star roles in a variety of TV programs mainly westerns.

In February 1959 Robert appeared again with John Smith, this time in a western series called Cimarron City and now Robert's career had progressed to the point where he was getting guest star billing. It was this appearance that led to his being offered the role of Jess Harper in "Laramie."

The story goes as follows;

While filming Cimarron City Robert was summoned to the Vice President of Talent, Patrick Kelly's office. He went there actually thinking he was going to be fired. However Kelly told him that he liked the work he had done in a number of shows over the previous year and wanted him to do a TV series. This was a very exciting prospect for Robert, however excitement soon turned to disappointment when Kelly offered him the second lead in a detective series starring Ray Milland called "Markham" Robert refused the role on the grounds he wanted to do a good western. Kelly was naturally dumbfounded that his offer was being refused but he accepted Robert's decision and Robert left his office. Then a couple of weeks later Robert was summoned again to Patrick Kelly's office. This time he offered Robert a part in a new 30 minute western called Laramie. Robert was delighted and read the script and loved it, but again things were about to turn awkward. Kelly offered Robert the role of Slim Sherman - Robert wanted the part of Jess Harper!!! So again Kelly found himself being refused. He explained to Robert that the role of Jess had already been given to John Smith who was already under contract with Revue. Yet again Robert stuck to his guns and again the two men parted without agreement. Robert left Patrick Kelly's office thinking that was the end of his career - you don't turn down those opportunities once let alone twice! However there was a twist - The very same day Robert's agent called him to say that he was required to test for the part of Jess Harper. The next day he was given the role that he wanted so much, a role that was truly made for him, a role that would make him an international star and transform his life.

John Smith was given the role of Slim Sherman and hindsight shows that these were the right roles for each of them. Robert Fuller WAS Jess Harper and John Smith WAS Slim Sherman. Had that role change not happened then Laramie would not have worked anywhere near as well as it did. Over the next 4 years Robert immortalized the character of Jess Harper and gained millions of fans worldwide. Robert said of this role that it was the best part he ever had.

In December 1962, while Laramie was still at its peak Robert married Patty Lyon.

Laramie ran from 1959-1963 and from there Robert went straight into "Wagon Train" as chief scout Cooper Smith. Coop was a less volatile character than Jess Harper and Robert played him very differently. The move into Wagon Train gave Robert the opportunity to work with some of the best stars in the business, people like John McIntire, Robert Ryan, Ernest Borgnine and Rhonda Fleming.

When "Wagon Train" finished in 1965, Robert moved onto the big screen, and in 1966 got his first starring role in a movie. This was the western "Incident At Phantom Hill" where he was re-united with his close friend Dan Duryea, a man for whom Robert had the greatest respect, and who had made a couple of guest spots in Laramie. It was an all action western where Robert's character Matt Martin had many of the characteristics of Jess Harper. Also in 1966 Robert was given second billing to Yul Brynner in the sequel to "The Magnificent Seven," a film aptly titled "Return Of The Seven." He was so busy in 66 that for the filming of Return Of The Seven they had to shoot around him while he was in Munich for the premiere of "Incident At Phantom Hill."

The character of Vin he portrayed in "Seven" was the part previously occupied by Steve McQueen who had now gone on to become a superstar. McQueen was not offered the role in the sequel because it is likely that if he had been in the film then Yul Brynner would not. The stories of Brynner's less than cordial relationship with McQueen are now legendary. With Robert it was very different and he and Yul got along very well, and in fact remained close friends until Brynner died in 1985.

Robert remained busy doing movies in Germany, Israel and the States over the next few years, then in 1970 he made one of his best ever movies "The Hard Ride." This was a stunning film about a Vietnam vet, Phil Duncan who brought his dead buddy's body home and sets out to find his buddy's old biker friends to get them to attend the funeral. This was Robert Fuller at his best and while there were good performances he carried the film. Today you can still buy the soundtrack and the DVD.

Jack Webb saw Robert's performance in "The Hard Ride" and decided he wanted him to star in a new TV medical drama series called Emergency. Robert was grateful for the offer but did not want to play a doctor and he told Webb so. But Webb was determined and finally persuaded Robert to take the part. True, it was a departure from the action roles his fans were so used to, but Emergency was a major television success which ran for 7 years and resulted in another generation of fans - the show continues to be very popular still. Over 30 years after it ended there was an Emergency re-union which was attended by most of the stars plus fans from all over the world. Robert's old friend John Smith appeared in a couple of episodes playing a Fire Captain.

Since then Robert has been very busy in a wide variety of roles, sometimes to the delight of his fans, he returns to the western genre.

Robert's marriage to Patty Lyon ended in 1984 after 22 years. They had 3 children Robert, Christine and Patrick. Robert later married the lovely Jennifer Savidge who played Nurse Lucy in "St Elsewhere" and appeared regularly in the hit TV series JAG.

Robert's last performance was playing 2 roles in the final episode of Walker Texas Ranger. He played Ranger Wade Harper, who was a descendant of Jess Harper, and an old west Town Sheriff. Robert retired after that show and it is fitting that his final part was in a western role.

In July 2004 Robert and Jennifer re-located from Los Angeles to Texas where they now live on a beautiful ranch. He still enjoys his lifelong passions of fishing and shooting and he now has more time to enjoy them.

Despite being retired he attends a number of western festivals each year where he spends a lot of time with his fans who have stayed loyal for over 60 years. Indeed at the National Festival Of the West in Phoenix Robert hosted many private parties with his fans where he would sit for hours talking to them and enjoying telling stories of his time in show business. It is testament to the talent and personality of Robert Fuller that fans still travel from the four corners of the earth just to spend a couple of days with him at the Festivals he attends. He has always loved his fans and that remains true today. He still has an international fan club - The Robert Fuller Fandom.

Robert Fuller has had a long and very successful career which is proven by the awards he has received. Look at this!

1961 - Best Actor Award in Japan 1961 - Japanese Golden Order Of Merit - awarded to him by the Empress of Japan. Robert was the first American to receive this award 1970 - Best Actor in Germany. Robert actually won 5 Ottos which are German awards that are the equivalent of the Emmy. 1970 - Buffalo Bill Award for outstanding western entertainment. 1975 - Star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame 1989 - Golden Boot Award 2002 - Honoree Kanab Western Legends Roundup 2004 - Cowboy Spirit Award - National Festival Of The West, Phoenix October 2007 - Silver Spur Award April 2008 - Inducted into the National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum, Oklahoma, Hall Of Great Western Performers

Russell Wong has earned a reputation as a sexy, charismatic leading man whose good looks are matched by his skills as an actor. The sixth of seven children, Russell Wong was born in Troy, New York; the son of restaurateur William Wong and Dutch-American artist Connie Van Yserloo. When Russell was seven years of age, his parents divorced, and he moved with his mother to California, settling near Yosemite. Russell attended Santa Monica College. As a trained dancer and a martial artist, Russell is able to perform many of his own stunts.

Russell made his big screen debut in James Clavell's "Tai Pan". He made a memorable guest appearance on the drama series "21 Jump Street" and won a leading role in Wayne Wang's acclaimed independent romantic comedy "Eat a Bowl of Tea". Supporting roles in "China Cry" and "New Jack City" soon followed. In 1993, Russell gained critical acclaim for his outstanding performance in "The Joy Luck Club".

Russell scored a high-profile role in 1994, when he was cast in the leading role in the made-for-TV movie "Vanishing Son" produced by Rob Cohen, in which he played a Chinese political activist exiled in America. The show was popular enough to spawn three sequels, and was later spun off into a syndicated TV series. People magazine named him one of the "Fifty Most Beautiful People" in 1995.

After "Vanishing Son" ran its course, Russell moved on to more big-screen work, including major roles in "Takedown", co-starring Skeet Ulrich, and "Twisted" with Sam Jackson and Ashley Judd. His breakthrough performance opposite Jet Li in "Romeo Must Die" firmly established Russell's star power.

Russell is next seen in this summer's blockbuster "Mummy 3" directed by Rob Cohen, as well as "Dim Sum Funeral" a black comedy co-starring Bai Ling and Kelly Hu. He will star alongside Ving Rhames in the martial arts thriller "Unshakable" this Fall.

Academy Award-winner Maureen Stapleton was born June 21, 1925 in Troy, New York, to Irene (née Walsh) and John P. Stapleton. Her family was of Irish descent. Maureen moved to New York City at the age of eighteen and did modeling to pay the bills. Already a Tony Award-winner, she made her Academy Award-nominated film debut in Lonelyhearts (1958) supporting four-time Academy Award-nominee Montgomery Clift, and Myrna Loy in Lonelyhearts (1958). Maureen was was nominated for an Oscar again for her performance in Airport (1970). She played the wife of D. O. Guerrero (played by Academy Award-winner Van Heflin). Eight years later she went on to earn a third Oscar nomination for her performance as Diane Keaton, Kristen Griffith, and Mary Beth Hurt's stepmother Pearl, in the Woody Allen drama Interiors (1978). Apparently, four times worked as a charm when Maureen took the Oscar home for her performance in which she portrayed the Lithuanian-born anarchist Emma Goldman in Warren Beatty's Reds (1981).

Joe Alaskey, among the most talented voice actors in the business, impeccably recreated many of the original characters which the late cartoon pioneer Mel Blanc invented. A natural mimic and gifted actor, his amazing "ear" for voices enabled him to imitate almost anything, including some of the most obscure show business personalities. Alaskey was one of the most employed voice actors in the business during his career.

When her Hollywood career began in 1934, Mary Nash was already a veteran performer, having appeared in vaudeville and on Broadway. Following a brief appearance as a dancer in 1904, she joined Ethel Barrymore in a 1905 off- Broadway production, 'Alice-Sit-by-the-Fire'. This was followed by 'Captain Jinks' and 'The Silver Box' with the same company, and in 1915 she acted in George Bernard Shaw's play 'Major Barbara' at the Playhouse Theatre. The versatile actress was as adept at comedy ('Captain Applejack',1921-22) as she was in drama (Cassie in 'Uncle Tom's Cabin,1933).

She is best remembered on screen for being nasty to Shirley Temple in Heidi (1937) and The Little Princess (1939), and for playing Katharine Hepburn's elegant and proper society mother in The Philadelphia Story (1940). In addition, she gave excellent value-for-money in the role of Emma Louise in Come and Get It (1936) and as the ill-fated queen in the technicolor adventure Cobra Woman (1944). Mary Nash was briefly married to the actor José Ruben ((1888-1969).

David Baddiel was born on 28 May 1964 in Troy, New York, USA. He is a writer and actor, known for Romeo & Brittney, Baddiel's Syndrome (2001) and Romeo & Duet (2022).

Sybil Azur is a writer, producer, director, actress and dancer, known for Pushing Motherhood (2015), La La Land (2016), 500 Days of Summer (2009), the Game (2006), and Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002). She holds a Screenwriting MFA from Cal State Northridge, is a Comedy Writing Summer 2021 Fellow with the Television Academy Foundation, and was a finalist for CSUN's Here's the Pitch competition. Sybil was also a creative intern at Limelight (2021), and is proud to be on the Board of Directors of Frederick Douglass Family Initiatives.

James Gorman was born in Troy, New York, USA. James is a producer and writer, known for Cutthroat Island (1995), Les Misérables (1998) and Sniper (1993).

Tom Lewis was born on 8 July 1901 in North Troy, New York, USA. He was a producer and writer, known for Cause for Alarm! (1951), The Loretta Young Show (1953) and El ídolo (1952). He was married to Loretta Young. He died on 20 May 1988 in Ojai, California, USA.

Thomas Curley was born in Troy, NY and lived in upstate NY until late 2001. He studied engineering, film and video production before graduating with a BA in Film Studies at the University of Buffalo. After years of broadcast engineering for Fox and NBC affiliates, and some production assistant work, Thomas moved to Los Angeles to pursue production sound full time. Since then, he has worked hard, built an impressive equipment package, and has gone into business with his brother, Brian. In 2015, Thomas Won the BAFTA, AMPS, Satellite Award, and the Academy Award for his work mixing "Whiplash (2014)" and is continuing to strive for excellence in all kinds of films and shows.

Jack R. Glass was born on 27 September 1915 in Troy, New York, USA. He was a cinematographer, known for Captain Scarface (1953), The Man from Planet X (1951) and Superman in Exile (1954). He died on 11 November 2001 in San Juan Capistrano, California, USA.

William Sturtevant was born on 31 January 1983 in Troy, New York, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Shoplifters of the World (2021), The Punisher (2017) and Big Dogs (2020).

Philip O'Brien was born on 23 May 1927 in Troy, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Batman (1989), Chariots of Fire (1981) and North Sea Hijack (1980). He was married to Jane O'Brien. He died on 9 January 1999 in London, England, UK.

Albert Herman was born on 22 February 1887 in Troy, New York, USA. He was a director and writer, known for The Black Coin (1936), Sporting Chance (1931) and What Price Crime (1935). He died on 28 September 1958 in Los Angeles County, California, USA.

Frank Kopyc was born on 6 August 1948 in Troy, New York, USA. He is an actor, known for Total Recall (1990), The Last Boy Scout (1991) and Father of the Bride (1991).

A native New Yorker, Kevin Gardner's interest in theater eventually led to his acceptance to study acting at NYU in New York and the Academy of Dramatic Arts in Los Angeles. Early television recognition came from a recurring role on Saved By the Bell: The New Class for 3 seasons. While continuing to pursue theatre roles across the country, including the critically acclaimed solo show Every Brilliant Thing in New York in 2018, Kevin is back in Los Angeles and can now been seen in multiple TV shows. A full list of his theater credits can be found on his website, including a clip of his performance motion debut as Kermit the Frog doing the "Kermambo"!

Weston John Kenyon is a human being who happens to be an independent music composer, singer-songwriter, and film and audio producer, director, writer, and actor. He is founder of the independent production company Puschieau Productions and his self-titled EDM project, as well as creator of his vocal side project West sand laKe and ambient post-rock instrumental project autumn upstate. Weston is an American of Italian ancestry and is a conservative Christian. He was raised in Upstate New York and resides in the Ozark Mountains of Arkansas.

Brunette, blue-eyed Anne Darling never made much headway in Hollywood despite taking elocution lessons and appearing in amateur dramatics. She was very pretty, too, and an accomplished ballroom dancer to boot. None of that paved the way to a career in showbiz. She did manage a successful audition which led to a contract with Universal. There, she spent the 1934-35 season relegated to uncredited bit parts. The one role we may remember her for is as the shepherdess rescued from drowning by Boris Karloff's monster in Bride of Frankenstein (1935). At this time, the head of Mascot Pictures was scouting for a pert leading lady to appear opposite a rising cowboy star named Gene Autry. Apparently, he had his sights firmly on Anne. Alas, too late: Anne had just gotten married and her new husband was opposed to her working. Thus, after fourteen films, Anne Darling left acting and faded into obscurity.

Tim Hauser was born on 12 December 1941 in Troy, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for A League of Their Own (1992), The Marrying Man (1991) and Three Wishes (1995). He was married to Barbara Sennet, Lori Lethin and Lorna Marie Fenenbock. He died on 16 October 2014 in Sayre, Pennsylvania, USA.

Jesse Gavin was born in Troy, New York, USA. He is an actor and editor, known for Northern Shade (2022), Dogs in the Distance (2014) and The Burial (2023).

Anita Rosner was born in 1961 in Troy, New York, USA. She is an actress, known for The Real Story with Maria Elena Salinas (2017), Deadly Possessions (2016) and A Remedy (2017).

Michael Rauch was born in 1946 in Troy, New York, USA. Michael was a producer and assistant director, known for Point Break (1991), Superman (1978) and Live and Let Die (1973). Michael was married to Vibeke Arntzen. Michael died on 2 July 2015 in Studio City, Los Angeles, California, USA.

Florence Nash was born on 2 October 1888 in Troy, New York, USA. She was an actress, known for The Women (1939), It's a Great Life (1935) and Springtime (1914). She died on 2 April 1950 in Hollywood, California, USA.

Jay Sommers was born on 3 January 1917 in Troy, New York, USA. Jay was a writer and producer, known for Green Acres (1965), The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (1952) and Petticoat Junction (1963). Jay was married to Miriam Freedman and Barbara Sommers. Jay died on 25 September 1985 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

Grizzly Green was born on 8 July 1909 in Troy, New York, USA. He was an actor, known for Four Fast Guns (1960), Bonanza (1959) and Buckeye and Blue (1987). He died on 1 June 1994 in Tucson, Arizona, USA.