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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
1967
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Alda (February 26, 1914 – May 3, 1986) was an American theatrical and film actor and father of actors Alan and Antony Alda. A singer and dancer, Alda was featured in a number of Broadway productions before moving to Italy during the early 1960s. He appeared in many European films over the next two decades, occasionally returning to the U.S. for film appearances such as The Girl Who Knew Too Much (1969).
Alda, an American of Italian descent, was born Alphonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo in New York, New York, the son of Frances (née Tumillo) and Antonio D'Abruzzo, a barber born in Sant'Agata de' Goti, Benevento, Campania, Italy. He graduated from Stuyvesant High School in New York in 1930. He began as a singer and dancer in vaudeville after winning a talent contest, and moved on to burlesque.
Alda is known for portraying George Gershwin in the biopic Rhapsody in Blue (1945) as well as the talent agent in the Douglas Sirk classic Imitation of Life (1959). He was very successful on Broadway, starring in Guys and Dolls (1950), for which he won a Tony Award, and in What Makes Sammy Run? (1964). He was also the host of the short-lived DuMont TV version of the game show What's Your Bid? (May–June 1953).
Alda's first wife, and mother of actor Alan Alda, Joan Browne, was a homemaker and former beauty pageant winner. Alda was married to his second wife, Flora Marino, an Italian actress whom he met in Rome, until his death.
Alda made two guest appearances with his son Alan on M*A*S*H, in the episodes "The Consultant" (January 1975) and "Lend a Hand" (February 1980). The latter episode also featured Antony Alda (1956–2009), his younger son by his second wife.
Alda appeared in an episode of The Feather and Father Gang in 1977.
Alda died on May 3, 1986, aged 72, after a long illness following a stroke.
Gender
Male
Birthday
February 26, 1914
Died
May 3, 1986
Birthplace
New York City, New York, USA
Also Known As
Bittersweet Love
1976
The Devil's Hand
1961
Cloak and Dagger
1946
The Squeeze
1978
Totò e Peppino divisi a Berlino
1962
The Serpent
1973
Last Hours Before Morning
1975
The House of Exorcism
1975
Rhapsody in Blue
1945
Assignment Abroad
1955
All Woman
1967
Nora Prentiss
1947
Cagliostro
1975
April Showers
1948
Imitation of Life
1959
Musketeers of the Sea
1962
Cinderella Jones
1946
Beautiful But Dangerous
1955
The Man I Love
1946
Force of Impulse
1961
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The Love Boat
1977
M*A*S*H
1972
Ironside
1967
Quincy, M.E.
1976
Mission: Impossible
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The Merv Griffin Show
1962
Emergency!
1972
The Rockford Files
1974
The Facts of Life
1979
Robert Montgomery Presents
1950
What's My Line?
1950
The Lucy Show
1962
Fantasy Island
1978
The Incredible Hulk
1977
The Incredible Hulk
1977
Naked City
1958
Kojak
1973
Laverne & Shirley
1976
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955
The Ed Sullivan Show
1948
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