Robert Preston Biography

Fast Facts

• Landed the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical in 1958 for The Music Man despite never having sung or acted before a live audience before
• Served as an intelligence officer for the Air Force during WWII before entering the entertainment business
• Quote: "I'd get the best role in every B picture and the second best in the A pictures․"
• He initially got his Hollywood start with numerous Western features, but eventually gained the most recognition with 1962's "The Music Man", a role that he had already perfected on Broadway
• Although not known for his singing voice, he would go on to star in dozens of musical films as well as several Broadway stage productions
• Commissioned by the President's Council on Physical Fitness to record a children's song to encourage physical fitness amongst elementary schools in 1961