Robert Donner Biography

Fast Facts

• Served in the U․S․ Navy for nearly four years after graduating from high school
• Studied at California State University, Northridge after deciding to stay on the West Coast after his service
• Worked in various odd jobs during college, including shipping clerk, gardener, insurance investigator, and bartender
• Quote: "I guess I'm like the rest of my fellow character actors․ I keep my guns loaded and go where the action is․"
• Best known for his role as Boss Shorty in "Cool Hand Luke" and as Exidor in "Mork & Mindy․"
• Founding member of Harvey Lembeck's Crazy Quilt Comedy Company, an improv troupe that includes alumni like John Ritter and Penny Marshall
• Was nominated for a TV Land Award for Neighbor You Try to Avoid for "Mork & Mindy" in 2008
• Was encouraged to study acting by his Studio City neighbor, Clint Eastwood, who thought he was funny