Today is the 68th birthday of TV and film actor Robert Forster. Born in Rochester, New York, Forster first gained wide renown for his role in the 1969 movie Medium Cool. He went on to star in the underappreciated TV detective series Banyon (1972), playing a hard-fisted but compassionate private eye in 1930s Los Angeles, and later took the lead in Nakia (1974), playing a Native American lawman in New Mexico.
Following a succession of B-movie roles and guest shots on shows such as Police Story and Magnum, P.I., Forster was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in the 1997 Quentin Tarantino flick, Jackie Brown. He’s since appeared in the films Me, Myself & Irene, and Mulholland Drive, as well as in the TV series Karen Sisco (2003) and Heroes.
Monday, July 13, 2009
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6 comments:
One of my favorite actors. Don't understand why he isn't in more demand. I was excited when the Karen Sisco tv series hit the air, but for some reason it didn't make it. Forster does something that really struck a cord with me. He does speaking engagements for luncheons and such and donates his fee to an actor's retirement or health fund. There's a helluva lot of actors out there who don't make the big bucks and this is his way of helping out. Wish we saw more of Robert Forster on the air and on the big screen. He has a natural air in his acting.
Don't forget his really nuanced performance in the John Sayles spoof "Alligator." Forster does the right thing with his lead. He never lets you know it's a spoof.
Thanks, Ed. I was going to mention the classic Alligator, but I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who remembers it.
And while you're at it, you might want to check out "Diamond Men" (2000). "A gem." (The Washington Post). "Forster alone makes it unforgettable" (Chicago Reader). Happy Birthday, Robert.
Robert Forster is a fantastic actor, but he was only (only!) nominated for best supporting actor in Jackie Brown. The winner that year was Robin Williams in Good Will Hunting.
Thanks for the correction, Mr./Ms. Anonymous. I guess I was overenthusiastic in bestowing the Oscar on Forster myself.
Cheers,
Jeff
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