Robert Prosky
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Biography
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Biography
Likable stage veteran who became a busy character actor in film and TV of the 1980s and 1990s, Robert Prosky spent 23 seasons as a resident actor with the Arena Stage Theater in Washington, DC before making his film debut as an initially ingratiating gangster in Michael Mann's "Thief" (1981). He came to prominence as the endearing Sgt. Jablonski who replaced Michael Conrad's Sgt. Esterhaus ("Let's be careful out there!") at the opening of each episode of TV's "Hill Street Blues." Prosky also became a familiar TV face in a succession of TV movies, pilots, and guest spots.
Prosky's 1980s feature credits include "Christine" (1983), "The Natural" (1984), "Broadcast News" (1987) and David Mamet's "Things Change" (1988), where he turned in a memorable performance as the avuncular mob boss. Prosky kept busy in the 1990s providing sturdy support in a diverse group of films including "Gremlins 2: The New Batch" (1990), "Green Card" (1990), "Hoffa" (1992) and "Far and Away" (1992). In 1993 he appeared in "The Last Action Hero" as a kindly old projectionist with a magic ticket, in "Rudy" as a supportive priest, and in "Mrs. Doubtfire," as a TV producer who helps out Robin Williams.
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1945
At age 15, played the stage manager in a high school production of "Our Town"
1975
Professional stage debut, "The Dybbuk" opposite Dianne Wiest at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC
1981
Made feature acting debut in Michael Mann's "Thief"
1982
First played Kirstie Alley's father in a guest appearance on "Cheers" (NBC)
1983
Played the evil garage owner in "Christine"
1984
Cast as the villainous co-owner of the New York Knights baseball team in "The Natural"
1984
Nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross"
1984
Played the big-hearted desk sergeant Stanislaus 'Stan' Jablonski on "Hill Street Blues" (NBC)
1987
Cast as a longtime executive who gets fired in director James L. Brooks' "Broadcast News"
1988
Starred opposite Sam Waterston in Lee Blessing's Broadway drama "A Walk in the Woods"; earned second Tony Award nomination
1988
Played a mafia don in David Mamet's feature film, "Things Change"
1992
Had a small role as Nicole Kidman's father in Ron Howard's "Far and Away"
1992
Appeared in "Hoffa" starring Jack Nicholson in the title role; again collaborated with Mamet who scripted
1993
Appeared opposite Robin Williams in "Mrs. Doubtfire" as a television station owner
1993
Played a self-deprecating priest in "Rudy"
1995
Cast as the pro bono lawyer for death row inmate Sean Penn in "Dead Man Walking"
1996
Played Thomas Edison in the Off-Broadway play "Camping with Henry and Tom"; co-starred with son John Prosky
1997
Again played Kirstie Alley's father in the NBC sitcom "Veronica's Closet"
1997
Had a recurring role as a priest on the ABC legal drama "The Practice"
2001
Returned to sitcoms as Daniel Stern's father in "Danny" (CBS), cancelled after only airing twice
2006
Cast in the production of "Awake and Sing!" at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC
2008
Co-starred with his sons Andy and John in the Philadelphia production of Arthur Miller's play "The Price," in which he played a furniture appraiser who mediates between two estranged brothers (played by his sons)
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