Robert Sterling
Biography
Robert Sterling, born William Sterling Hart on November 13, 1917, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, was an American film and television actor. He was the son of baseball player and umpire Bill Hart. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and worked as a clothing salesman before pursuing an acting career. After signing with Columbia Pictures in 1939, he changed his name to Robert Sterling to avoid confusion with silent western star William S. Hart. In 1941, Sterling went to MGM, where he worked steadily as a supporting player for several years. He served in World War II as an Army Air Force flight instructor before returning to Hollywood. He died on May 30, 2006, at the age of 88.
Career overview
Robert Sterling was an American film and television actor born as William Sterling Hart on November 13, 1917, in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He was the son of baseball player and umpire Bill Hart. Before pursuing an acting career, he attended the University of Pittsburgh and worked as a clothing salesman.
In 1939, he signed with Columbia Pictures. To avoid confusion with silent western star William S. Hart, he changed his name to Robert Sterling. Sterling moved to MGM in 1941 and worked steadily as a supporting player for several years. His career was interrupted by service in World War II as an Army Air Force flight instructor. After serving, he returned to Hollywood, though his film career changed by the end of the decade.
Throughout his life and career, Sterling accumulated known credits in acting on film and television. He passed away on May 30, 2006, at the age of 88.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
83 titles- Blood Car (2007) as Couple in horror
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Ben Shipley
- Masquerade (1983) as Jacques Marchand
- Hotel (1982) as Mr. Jenks
- Night of 100 Stars (1982) as Self
- Simon & Simon (1981)
- Beggarman, Thief (1979) as Colonel Day
- Beggarman, Thief (1979) as Colonel Day
- Letters from Three Lovers (1973) as Bob
- The Brian Keith Show (1972)
- Nanny and the Professor (1970)
- A Global Affair (1964) as Randy Sterling
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) as Ray Roscoe
- Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (1961) as Captain Lee Crane
- Ichabod and Me (1961)
- Return to Peyton Place (1961) as Mike Rossi
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Douglas Winter
- Naked City (1958) as Jason Colwell
- Love That Jill (1958)
- The Steve Allen Show (1956) as Self - Night Club Duo
- The 20th Century Fox Hour (1955) as Steve Buchanan
- Dearest Enemy (1955) as John Copeland
- Climax! (1954) as Husband
- Topper (1953)
- Letter to Loretta (1953) as Markle
- General Electric Theater (1953) as Robert Major (uncredited)
- Column South (1953) as Lee Whitlock
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Hank Holloway
- Cavalcade of America (1952) as Charles Jerrold
- Show Boat (1951) as Steven Baker
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950)
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Richard Clyde
- Robert Montgomery Presents (1950) as Peter Putnam
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Alan
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Theodore Drew III
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Pete
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Lew Davis
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as David
- The Sundowners (1950) as Tom Cloud
- Bunco Squad (1950) as Det. Sgt. Steve Johnson
- The Man Who Had Influence (1950) as David Grant
- Suspense (1949)
- Lights Out (1949)
- Roughshod (1949) as Clay Phillips
- Studio One (1948)
- Studio One (1948) as David Grant
- Studio One (1948) as Jeff Troy
- The Secret Heart (1946) as Chase N. Addams
- Front Row Center (1945)
- A-26 Flying Tips (1945) as Captain
- Somewhere I'll Find You (1942) as Kirk 'Junior' Davis
- This Time for Keeps (1942) as Lee White
- Dr. Kildare's Victory (1942) as Dr. Donald 'Don' Winthrop
- Personalities (1942) as (uncredited)
- Ringside Maisie (1941) as Terry Dolan, aka Young O'Hara
- Two-Faced Woman (1941) as Dick 'Dickie' Williams
- Johnny Eager (1941) as Jimmy Courtney
- I'll Wait for You (1941) as 'Lucky' Wilson
- The Penalty (1941) as Edward McCormick
- The Get-Away (1941) as Jeff Crane
- Manhattan Heartbeat (1940) as Johnny Farrell
- The Gay Caballero (1940) as Billy Brewster
- Nothing But Pleasure (1940) as Gangster at Cozy Auto Court
- Mandrake the Magician (1940) as Henchman
- Yesterday's Heroes (1940) as Duke Wyman
- The Heckler (1940) as Trophy Presenter
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) as Senate Reporter (uncredited)
- Only Angels Have Wings (1939) as (uncredited)
- Beware Spooks! (1939) as Bellboy (uncredited)
- Golden Boy (1939) as Elevator Boy
- The Man They Could Not Hang (1939) as First Reporter (uncredited)
- Those High Grey Walls (1939) as Convict (uncredited)
- Pest from the West (1939) as Cigarette Customer at Adjacent Table (uncredited)
- Good Girls Go to Paris (1939) as Student (uncredited)
- The Amazing Mr. Williams (1939) as Elevator Boy (uncredited)
- Blondie Brings Up Baby (1939) as Dithers' Employee (uncredited)
- Blondie Meets the Boss (1939) as Office Worker / Man Dancing with Millie (uncredited)
- Sorority House (1939) as Soda Shop Extra (uncredited)
- Mandrake the Magician (1939) as Henchman
- Glove Slingers (1939) as Warehouseman Taking Fight Pool Money (uncredited)
- A Woman is the Judge (1939) as Reporter (uncredited)
- Outside These Walls (1939) as Reporter (uncredited)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Robert Sterling best known for?
Robert Sterling is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Murder, She Wrote (1984), Hotel (1982), Solar Crisis (1992), Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009).
When and where was Robert Sterling born?
Robert Sterling was born on November 13, 1917 in New Castle, Pennsylvania, USA. They passed away on May 30, 2006.
How many credits does Robert Sterling have?
Robert Sterling has accumulated over 83 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1939 to 2007.
What is Robert Sterling's background in cinema and television?
Robert Sterling, born William Sterling Hart on November 13, 1917, in New Castle, Pennsylvania, was an American film and television actor. He was the son of baseball player and umpire Bill Hart. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and worked as a clothing salesman before pursuing an acting career. After signing wit...
Robert Sterling by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- The Twilight Zone (1959) as Douglas Winter — aged about 41
- The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (1962) as Ray Roscoe — aged about 44
- The Ford Television Theatre (1952) as Hank Holloway — aged about 34
- Mr. Smith Goes to Washington (1939) as Senate Reporter (uncredited) — aged about 21
- Murder, She Wrote (1984) as Ben Shipley — aged about 66
- What's My Line? (1950) as Self — aged about 32
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