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The basics

Quick Facts

Intro
American actor
A.K.A.
Robert Wallace Foster Jr.
Gender
Male
Place of birth
Rochester, Monroe County, New York, USA
Place of death
Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, USA
Age
78 years
Education
Bachelor of Arts
University of Rochester
Rochester, Monroe County, USA
Awards
Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor
(1997)
Saturn Award
(2014)
The details (from wikipedia)

Biography

Robert Wallace Foster Jr. (July 13, 1941 – October 11, 2019), known professionally as Robert Forster,was an American actor, known for his roles as John Cassellis in Medium Cool (1969), Captain Dan Holland in The Black Hole (1979), Abdul Rafai in The Delta Force (1986), and Max Cherry in Jackie Brown (1997), for which he was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

Forster's varied filmography includes: Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967), Alligator (1980), Me, Myself & Irene (2000), Mulholland Drive (2001), The Descendants (2011), Olympus Has Fallen (2013), London Has Fallen (2016), What They Had (2018), and The Wolf of Snow Hollow (2020).

He also had prominent roles in television series such as Banyon (1971–1973), Heroes (2007–2008), Twin Peaks (2017) and the Breaking Bad episode "Granite State" as Ed Galbraith, for which he won the Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television. He reprised the role in the film El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie (2019) and Better Call Saul.

Early life

Forster was born and raised in Rochester, New York. His mother was Italian American, while his father was of English and Irish descent. The couple divorced in 1949.

Forster added an "R" to his surname as there was another member of the Screen Actors Guild named Robert Foster.

Career

After acclaimed supporting performances in two major Hollywood films, one as Private Williams in John Huston's Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967), another as part-Indian Army scout Nick Tana in Robert Mulligan's The Stalking Moon (1968), Forster starred in the critically acclaimed film Medium Cool (1969). After starring roles in Cover Me Babe (1970) and the television series Banyon (1972) and Nakia (1974), he played mostly supporting roles in action and horror films including Disney's The Black Hole (1979). Forster had lead roles in cult B-movies in the 1980s like Alligator (1980), Vigilante (1983), The Delta Force (1986), and The Banker (1989).

Forster appeared in Jackie Brown as the character Max Cherry, which earned him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1997. Jackie Brown revitalized Forster's career, an effect that occurred for many actors appearing in Quentin Tarantino films. He subsequently had consistent work in the film industry, appearing in Like Mike, Mulholland Drive, Me, Myself & Irene, Lucky Number Slevin, and Firewall. He appeared in the made-for-television movie The Hunt for the BTK Killer, as the detective intent on capturing serial killer Dennis Rader. Forster also played the father of Van on the short-lived Fox series Fastlane.

Forster recorded a public service announcement for Deejay Ra's Hip-Hop Literacy campaign, encouraging reading of books by Elmore Leonard, whose book Rum Punch was adapted as Jackie Brown.

Robert Forster
Forster as the title character in the NBC series Banyon, 1972.

He appeared in the hit NBC series Heroes as Arthur Petrelli, the father of Nathan and Peter Petrelli, as well as the Emmy Award-winning AMC crime drama Breaking Bad as Walter White's new identity specialist Ed Galbraith (a role he reprised in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie and Better Call Saul). He played Bud Baxter, father to Tim Allen's Mike Baxter, on the ABC (later Fox) hit comedy Last Man Standing. Forster was also a motivational speaker.

He was the first choice to play Sheriff Harry S. Truman in David Lynch's Twin Peaks, but had to turn it down due to a prior commitment to a different television pilot, and was replaced by Michael Ontkean. He appeared in Lynch's Mulholland Drive, a pilot for a TV series that was not picked up but was later turned into a critically acclaimed movie, and finally appeared in Twin Peaks, playing the brother of Sheriff Harry S. Truman, Sheriff Frank Truman, in Twin Peaks: The Return, when Ontkean was not available to reprise his role.

About this, Forster said: "David Lynch, what a good guy he is. He wanted to hire me for the original, 25 years ago, for a part, and I was committed to another guy for a pilot that never went. So I didn't do the original Twin Peaks, which would have been a life-changer. It's a gigantic hit if you remember those years, a phenomenon. But I didn't do that. [...] And this time, I got a call from my agents and they said, David Lynch is going to call you. When he called me five minutes later, he said, "I'd like you to come and work with me again." And I said, 'Whatever it is David, here I come!'"

After Forster's death, he appeared posthumously in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, reprising the character of Ed the "Disappearer" from the Breaking Bad series. He died on the day the movie was released. Four months later, Forster again appeared posthumously as Ed in episode "Magic Man" of the fifth season of Better Call Saul. The episode ended with a dedication to "our friend Robert Forster." He also appeared in an episode "Dynoman and The Volt" of the rebooted Amazing Stories television series before his death; the episode was dedicated to Forster.

Personal life

Forster was married to June Forster (née Provenzano) from 1966 to 1975. The couple had met at their alma mater, the University of Rochester. The marriage produced three daughters, Elizabeth, Kathrine "Kate", and Maeghen. Robert was married to Zivia Forster from 1978 to 1980. He also had a son, Robert III, from a previous relationship. From 2004 to the time of his death, his longtime partner was Denise Grayson. He was a member of the high-IQ Triple Nine Society.

Death

In June 2019, Forster was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and he died from the disease at his home in Los Angeles on October 11, 2019, at the age of 78.

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1967Reflections in a Golden EyePrivate L.G. Williams
1968The Stalking MoonNick Tana
1969JustineNarouz
Medium CoolJohn Cassellis
1970Pieces of DreamsGregory Lind
Cover Me BabeTony Hall
1972Journey Through RosebudFrank
1973The Don Is DeadFrank Regalbuto
1977StuntsGlen Wilson
1978AvalancheNick Thorne
1979The Lady in Red'Turk'Uncredited
The Black HoleCaptain Dan Holland
1980AlligatorDetective David Madison
1981Heartbreak HighCoach Alan Arnoldi
1983VigilanteEddie Marino
1985Walking the EdgeJason Walk
1986The Delta ForceAbdul Rafai
Hollywood HarryHarry PetryAlso producer and director
1988CounterforceThe Dictator
1989Satan's PrincessLou Cherney
The BankerDan Jefferson
Esmeralda BayMadero
1990PeacemakerYates
1991CommittedDr. Desmond Moore
Checkered FlagJack Cotton
Diplomatic ImmunityStonebridge
29th StreetSergeant Tartaglia
In BetweenVinnie
1993Maniac Cop III: Badge of SilenceDr. PowellDirect-to-video
South BeachDetective Ted Coleman
American YakuzaLittman
Cover StoryTherapist
1994Point of Seduction: Body Chemistry IIIBob SibleyDirect-to-video
1995Scanners: The ShowdownCaptain Jack BittersDirect-to-video
Guns and LipstickCaptain Dimaggio
1996The MethodChristian's Father
Original GangstasDetective Slatten
Uncle SamCongressman Alvin CummingsDirect-to-video
HindsightMichael Donahue
1997American PerfektJake Nyman
Demolition UniversityGentryDirect-to-video
Jackie BrownMax CherryNominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor
Night VisionTeak Taylor
1998PsychoDr. Fred Simon
Outside OzonaOdell Parks
1999It's the RageTyler
Family TreeHenry Musser
Kiss Toledo GoodbyeSal Fortuna
2000SupernovaA.J. Marley
The Magic of MarcianoHenry
LakeboatJoe Litko
Cowboys and AngelsBarbequeman At WeddingUncredited
Me, Myself & IreneColonel Partington
Diamond MenEddie MillerAlso executive producer
It's a Shame About RayWallyShort film
2001Mulholland DriveDetective Harry McKnight
Human NatureNathan's Father
Finder's FeeOfficer Campbell
2002Lone HeroGus
Strange HeartsJack Waters
Like MikeCoach Wagner
2003ConfidenceMorgan Price
Where's Angelo?BobShort film
Charlie's Angels: Full ThrottleRoger Wixon
Grand Theft ParsonsStanley Parsons
2006FirewallHarry Romano
Lucky Number SlevinMurphy
Wild SevenWilson
2007Rise: Blood HunterLloyd
D-WarJack Wilson
CleanerArlo Grange
Grampa's CabinGrampaShort film
2008Expecting LoveGeorge Patten
Jack and Jill vs. the WorldNorman / NarratorUncredited
Touching HomeJim 'Perk' Perkins
2009Thick as ThievesLieutenant Sam Weber
Ghosts of Girlfriends PastSergeant Mervis Volkom
Middle MenLouie 'La-La'
2010The Bannen WayMr. B
Red Princess BluesThe StorytellerShort film
The TrialRay
KalamityTom Klepack
2011Girl Walks into a BarDodge
The DescendantsScott Thorson
2012Hotel NoirJim Logan
2013Olympus Has FallenGeneral Edward Clegg
Coffee, Kill BossWalt Ford
Somewhere SlowChris McConville
2014AutómataRobert Bold
2015The Biffle Murder CaseJames BurkeShort film
The Bridge PartnerDon WhalenShort film
Run FastPeter CironeShort film
SurvivorBill Talbot
Too LateGordy Lyons
The ProgramMichaelShort film
The Adventures of Biffle and ShoosterJames Burke / Lieutenant Frank Murphy
HomeManShort film
2016London Has FallenGeneral Edward Clegg
The ConfirmationOtto
The American SideSterling Whitmore
Bus DriverGeneral Sorbin
2017Small Town CrimeSteve Yendel
Small CrimesJoe Denton Sr.
The Case for ChristWalter Strobel
Acts of VengeanceChuck
2018What They HadNorbert Everhardt
DamselOld Preacher
The Big TakeDetective Aborn
BiggerJoe (2008)
NastyBobShort film
2019PhilBing Fisk
El Camino: A Breaking Bad MovieEd GalbraithPosthumous release
QT8: The First EightHimselfDocumentary
Posthumous release
2020The Wolf of Snow HollowSheriff HadleyPosthumous release
2021Grave IntentionsDon WhalenSegment: "The Bridge Partner"
Posthumous release
Final film role

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1957Wagon TrainMr. HedsonEpisode: "The Julie Gage Story" (S1E14)
1967N.Y.P.D.TonyEpisode: "To Catch a Hero"
1968Judd, for the DefenseRay ElliottEpisode: "In a Puff of Smoke"
PremiereDoug PaysonEpisode: "Higher and Higher, Attorneys at Law"
1971–1973BanyonMiles Banyon16 episodes
1974NakiaDeputy Nakia Parker14 episodes
The Death SquadEric BenoitTelevision film
1975Medical StoryDavid CorbinEpisode: "The Moonlight Heater"
1975–1977Police StoryVarious roles5 episodes
1977The CityLieutenant Matt LewisPilot
1978Standing TallLuke ShastaTelevision film
1979The Darker Side of TerrorPaul CorwinTelevision film
1981Goliath AwaitsCommander Jeff SelkirkTelevision film
1985Magnum, P.I.Tyler Peabody McKinney2 episodes
1986Tales from the DarksideGary GooleyEpisode: "The Milkman Cometh"
Murder, She WroteGilbert GastonEpisode: "The Perfect Foil"
1987HotelSteve CameronEpisode: "Unfinished Business"
Once a HeroGumshoe7 episodes
1987–1988William TellAymong3 episodes
1989Mick and FrankiFeinsteinPilot
1991Jake and the FatmanEd Delaney2 episodes
P.S. I Luv UDanEpisode: "There Goes the Neighbourhood"
1992In the Shadow of a KillerCharles GalbisTelevision film
1993Silk StalkingsVince RikerEpisode: "Tough Love"
Sex, Love and Cold Hard CashSidTelevision film
1995Walker, Texas RangerRicky RickettesEpisode: "The Big Bingo Bamboozle"
Murder, She WroteFrank RousselEpisode: "Big Easy Murder"
One West WaikikiGerard FosterEpisode: "Flowers of Evil"
1997Walker, Texas RangerLane TillmanEpisode: "Texas vs. Cahill"
1998Rear WindowDetective Charlie MooreTelevision film
1999Todd McFarlane's SpawnMajor ForsbergVoice, 3 episodes
2000Godzilla: The SeriesJack Chapman, Police OfficerVoice, episode: "Wedding Bells Blew"
2001Like Mother Like SonKen 'Pappa' KimesTelevision film
2002Murder in GreenwichSteve CarrollTelevision film
Due EastJesse RappleTelevision film
2002–2003FastlaneRaymond Ray2 episodes
2003UndefeatedScott GreenTelevision film
Street TimeTony DeAngeloEpisode: "Cop Killer"
2003–2004Karen SiscoMarshall Sisco10 episodes
2004The GridJay Aldrich6 episodes
ClubhouseBurt AustinEpisode: "Spectator Interference"
2004–2005HuffBen Huffstodt3 episodes
2005TiltJimmy "Gentleman Jim" Towne2 episodes
Justice League UnlimitedThe PresidentVoice, 2 episodes
Bounty HuntersJerryPilot
The Hunt for the BTK KillerDetective Jason MagidaTelevision film
2006Numb3rsAgent Thomas LawsonEpisode: "Protest"
13 GravesTom FerrisPilot
2007Army WivesGeneral GraysonEpisode: "Truth and Consequences"
Desperate HousewivesNick DelfinoEpisode: "Now I Know, Don't Be Scared"
2007–2008HeroesArthur Petrelli10 episodes
2008The SimpsonsLucky JimVoice, episode: "Sex, Pies and Idiot Scrapes"
2011CSI: NYJoe VincentEpisode: "Indelible"
2012AlcatrazRay Archer4 episodes
Transformers: PrimeGeneral BryceVoice, episode: "Grill"
The Eric Andre ShowHimselfEpisode: "J-Moe"
2012–2018Last Man StandingBud Baxter10 episodes
2013NTSF:SD:SUV::Booth WhitmanEpisode: "Unfrozen Agent Man"
Breaking BadEd GalbraithEpisode: "Granite State"
IronsideVirgil's FatherEpisode: "Hidden Agenda"
2014IntrudersFrank Shepherd2 episodes
2014–2015Teenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesJack J. KurtzmanVoice, 4 episodes
2015Childrens HospitalDonaldEpisode: "The 27 Club"
BackstromSheriff Blue Backstrom2 episodes
2016DivorceDonald2 episodes
2017Twin PeaksSheriff Frank Truman10 episodes
I'm Dying Up HereGuy ApuzzoEpisode: "Pilot"
2020Better Call SaulEd GalbraithPosthumous release
Episode: "Magic Man"
Amazing StoriesGrandpa Joe HarrisPosthumous release
Episode: "Dynoman and The Volt"

Theater

YearTitleRoleVenue
1965Mrs. Dally Had a LoverPerformerJohn Golden Theater, Broadway
1973A Streetcar Named DesireStanley KowalskiVivian Beaumont Theater, Broadway
2017Chasing Mem'riesFranklinGeffen Playhouse, Los Angeles

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryNominated workResultRef.
1998Academy AwardsBest Supporting ActorJackie BrownNominated
1998Chicago Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting ActorNominated
Kansas City Film Critics Circle AwardBest Supporting ActorWon
Saturn AwardsBest Supporting ActorNominated
2000Hamptons International Film FestivalSpecial RecognitionDiamond MenWon
2002Chlotrudis AwardBest ActorNominated
2008Saturn AwardsGuest Actor – TelevisionHeroesNominated
2011Screen Actors Guild AwardOutstanding Cast in a Motion PictureThe DescendantsNominated
2011Gotham AwardsBest Ensemble CastNominated
Georgia Film Critics AssociationBest Supporting ActorNominated
Southeastern Film Critics AssociationBest EnsembleNominated
2014Saturn AwardsGuest Actor – TelevisionBreaking BadWon
2016Winter Film AwardsBest ActorThe Bridge PartnerNominated
2018Newport Beach Film FestivalIcon AwardBody of WorkAwarded
2019AARP Movie AwardsBest Supporting ActorWhat They HadNominated
The contents of this page are sourced from Wikipedia article. The contents are available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
Frequently Asked Questions
FAQ
What is Robert Forster's full name?
Robert Wallace Forster Jr.
When and where was Robert Forster born?
Robert Forster was born on July 13, 1941, in Rochester, New York, United States.
What is Robert Forster known for?
Robert Forster was known for his acting career in film and television. He had prominent roles in movies like "Medium Cool," "Jackie Brown," and "The Descendants," and also appeared in popular TV shows such as "Twin Peaks" and "Breaking Bad."
When did Robert Forster pass away?
Robert Forster passed away on October 11, 2019, in Los Angeles, California, United States.
What awards did Robert Forster win?
Robert Forster won several awards throughout his career, including the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in "Jackie Brown" in 1998. He was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the same film.
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