Robert Preston

Birth Name:

Robert Preston Meservey

Birth Place:

Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, United States

Profession

Actor, Soundtrack

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․"
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
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
Commissioned by the President's Council on Physical Fitness to record a children's song to encourage physical fitness amongst elementary schools in 1961

1949Photoplay Award - Best Performances of the Month (August):Winner
1963Golden Globe - Best Actor - Comedy or Musical:Nominated
1963Golden Laurel - Top Male Musical Performance:Winner
1982NBR Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
1982NSFC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Winner
1982NYFCC Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
1983Oscar - Best Actor in a Supporting Role:Nominated
1983Golden Globe - Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical:Nominated
1983Sant Jordi - Best Performance in a Foreign Film (Mejor Interpretación en Película Extranjera):Winner
1984Bronze Wrangler - Fictional Television Drama:Winner
1985Saturn Award - Best Supporting Actor:Nominated
1985ACE - Actor in a Movie or Miniseries:Nominated

Fast Facts