Versatile television performer Robert Urich has the distinction of having starred in more TV series than any other actor. His more famous roles include that of Bob in Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice, Peter Campbell in Soap, Dan Tanna in Vega$, Spenser in Spenser for Hire, Jake Spoon in the mini-series, Lonesome Dove, Capt. James Kennedy, in Love Boat: The Next Wave, and Jerry McKenney in Emeril.
Urich was born on December 19, 1946, in Toronto, OH. His big break came in 1972 when he played Burt Reynold's younger brother in a stage production of The Rainmaker. Reynolds brought him to California and let him stay in his home there until he got his acting break.
Urich died on April 16, 2002, after a battle with synovial cell sarcoma, a rare cancer that attacks the joints.
One of the most prolific and ubiquitous television actors of the latter 20th century in addition to his service as a tireless spokesperson for the disease that was eventually the cause of his untimely demise, Robert Urich was once referred to as the "Teflon Television Man" for his uncanny ability to appear unscathed from the ambitious small-screen failures in which he frequently appeared. His presence in over 15 weekly television series during his 30-year career made him a household name, and his brave struggle against a rare and devastating form of soft-tissue cancer known as Synovial Cell Sarcoma instilled inspiration into countless cancer patients waging a seemingly never-ending uphill battle. Born in Toronto, OH, on December 19, 1946, Urich's youthful athleticism earned him a four-year scholarship to the Florida State University, where he would excel as a defensive lineman and graduated with a B.A. in communications. After next earning an M.A. in broadcast research and management from Michigan State University, Urich settled in Chicago and worked briefly as a radio sales agent and a meteorologist. A fateful late evening while working as a sales account representative at WGN Radio found Urich asked to perform in a Jewish bond drive, with the role sparking an epiphany that he had finally found his true calling. Continuing to develop his skills on community theater stages, the blossoming actor spent the following 18 months performing at the Windy City's Ivanhoe, Arlington Park, and Pheasant Run theaters. A blessing in disguise followed shortly thereafter when executives found out about his moonlighting and fired him from the station, freeing him to pursue his life's calling full-time. Aided in his early career by friend Burt Reynolds, it wasn't long before Urich was spotted by an agent and relocating to Los Angeles to make his television debut in the television series Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice (1973). Landing a small role in the Clint Eastwood film Magnum Force the same year, Urich's career continued to gain momentum with roles in such popular small-screen series as Soap, S.W.A.T., and alongside Tom Selleck in Bunco. Propelled to stardom with his role in the made-for-television film Vega$ (1978) and the subsequent series of the same name that followed, Urich would also appear infrequently in film, though his true calling remained on the small screen, where his presence spanned nearly every genre and format. The early '80s found him landing increasingly frequent roles in television, and after gaining fame as a detective in Spenser for Hire in 1985 and appearing in such films as Ice Pirates (1984) and Turk 182! (1985), Urich was the recipient of a Cable Ace Award for his seven-year stint as host of National Geographic Explorer. Frequently returning to his Spencer persona for made-for-television movies following the show's cancellation, the busy star would also continue to shine in such popular television efforts as Lonesome Dove (1989) and as host to such special event programs as A Musical Christmas at Walt Disney World (1993) and Alien Encounters From New Tomorrowland (1995). It was during the filming of the small-screen Western series The Lazarus Man (1996) that tragedy struck, and Urich's discovery of a mysterious lump proved the beginning of the end for the handsome and rugged actor who to this point had seemed indestructible. Having received a star on the Hollywood walk of fame the year before, Urich's career seemed to be going stronger than ever; unfortunately his body was entering the early stages Synovial Cell Sarcoma. During an intensive eight-month cycle of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, Urich spoke open and honestly about his cancer, and the production of The Lazarus Man was shut down. Urich would later charge that show's producers with a breach-of-contract suit in which he claimed that he was able to perform under the specifications of the contract that both parties had signed, and following a settlement the resilient actor returned to television in 1997 in the ABC medical anthology Vital Signs. Teaming with his wife, Heather Menzies, to establish the Robert and Heather Urich Fund for Sarcoma research at the University of Michigan, the actor continued to appear upbeat in public appearances, during which he spoke of his treatment and condition in efforts to instill hope in others going through similar hardships. Seemingly as busy as ever as his cancer went into remission in the following years, Urich came back strong with numerous roles including The Love Boat: The Next Wave (1998) and Emril (2001). It was also during this time that Urich would also become the spokesperson for the American Cancer Society. In early 2002 the cancer that Urich had struggled so bravely to overcome sadly returned with a vengeance. Unfortunately there was little that could be done to combat the brutally aggressive cancer this time around, and in April of that year, Urich succumbed to its ravaging effects. Passing on the eve of his final television appearance in Night of the Wolf, Urich continued to serve as an inspirational figure even after his painful demise, his bravery giving strength to millions who had bore witness to his struggle. Although the enduring actor, who had admitted to frequent feelings of invincibility, would return to the small screen no more, the fund he created ensured that future generations would not face their dark endeavors without the benefit of extensive medical research and care. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
Urich was of Rusyn and Slovak extraction and raised Byzantine Catholic[2] and Roman Catholic[3] in the small town of Toronto, Ohio, where he is honored with the Robert Urich Interchange leading to State Route 7. Due to the similarity in names with Toronto, Ontario, many sources list him incorrectly as being a Canadian. His second wife, actress Heather Menzies, actually is a Canadian from the latter city.
Urich was first married to actress Barbara Rucker (1968–74). He married actress Heather Menzies in 1975, and they remained married until his death in 2002. Menzies played one of the von Trapp children, "Louisa," in the film version of The Sound of Music. Urich and Menzies adopted three children, Ryan, Emily and Allison.
In 1996, Urich announced that he had been diagnosed with a rare form of cancer, synovial sarcoma, that arises in soft tissues.[4] The TV series he was working on at the time, The Lazarus Man, was ultimately canceled, his failing health cited by him as the reason.[5] He continued to appear in film and TV during treatment. Urich ultimately died from the disease on April 16, 2002 at the age of 55.
Menzies also battled cancer, and is an ovarian cancer survivor. She works with the Robert and Heather Urich Fund for Sarcoma Research at the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Acting career
Between 1973 and his death in 2002, Urich had lead or supporting roles in 19 television series and miniseries (including several documentary programs). He also regularly hosted National Geographic TV specials and the National Geographic Explorer documentary series. He was the guest host of Saturday Night Live in March 1982. Urich made a noteworthy screen appearance opposite Clint Eastwood in the 1973 Dirty Harry film Magnum Force playing a vigilante motorcycle-patrol police officer.
Urich (left), Maureen Reagan, and Jack Hogan, pose for a 1974 publicity photo for the TV show Vector.
Urich was the spokesman for Bayer Aspirin in 1990 and Purinadog food in 2000. In 1992, Urich hosted the CBS TV special The Bat, the Cat, and the Penguin, which was a behind-the-scenes look of the upcoming motion picture Batman Returns. Most of his TV series were short-lived, although several, such as Vega$ and Spenser: For Hire, proved to be successes. In 1988 he made a cameo appearance as 'himself' in an episode of Cheers, which was Boston-based like his own series 'Spenser'. In the 1990s, Urich reprised the role of Spenser in several made-for-TV films. He also played a main character, "Jake Spoon," in the acclaimed television miniseries Lonesome Dove, a role for which he received many positive reviews, as well as the lead in a 1996 Hallmark Hall of Fame production of Captains Courageous. He hosted numerous 'made-for-TV' shorts with such titles as, "When Animals Attack...."
His final TV series role was in the sitcomEmeril, in 2001.[6]
He also appeared on stage, in the musical Chicago. He played the role of Billy Flynn on Broadway in 2000,[7] and also was in the North American tour of the musical, in 1999 and in 2000.[8][9][10]
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