ROBERT FORSTER
Biography
ROBERT FORSTER
Academy Award® Nominee and “Grindhouse Giant” (according to the NY Times) Robert Forster was known for his solid work in films from the top to the bottom of the business. Robert’s Oscar-nominated role of ‘Max Cherry’ in Quentin Tarantino’s JACKIE BROWN marked the beginning of what he called the ‘third act’ of his career -- which spanned over five decades.
Robert appeared in over 100 films. The old ones, starting in 1966, include REFLECTIONS IN A GOLDEN EYE, MEDIUM COOL, THE STALKING MOON, ALLIGATOR, VIGILANTE (the Blu-ray release of which earned him the moniker “Grindhouse Giant”), THE BLACK HOLE and STUNTS, and the TV series BANYON. Then for 13 years he played villains – starting with DELTA FORCE (1985), ending with one of his all-time favorites, AMERICAN PERFEKT (1997).
After his Oscar-nominated role of Max Cherry in JACKIE BROWN (1997) his films included the highly anticipated EL CAMINO: A BREAKING BAD MOVIE; WHAT THEY HAD; LONDON HAS FALLEN; AUTOMATA; SURVIVOR; OLYMPUS HAS FALLEN; Best Picture Nominee, THE DESCENDANTS; MIDDLE MEN; GHOSTS OF GIRLFRIENDS PAST; THICK AS THIEVES; LIKE MIKE; ME, MYSELF & IRENE; FIREWALL; LAKEBOAT and DIAMOND MEN; and TV series including the upcoming AMAZING STORIES; the return of TWIN PEAKS; BACKSTROM; LAST MAN STANDING; BREAKING BAD; INTRUDERS; ALCATRAZ; HEROES; HUFF!; KAREN SISCO and FASTLANE.
Robert’s roots in the theater dated back to his Broadway debut in the 1965 two-character play, MRS. DALLY HAS A LOVER. Robert worked on and off Broadway and on tour in classics such as A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, TWELVE ANGRY MEN, THE GLASS MENAGERIE and ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, as well as in The Pasadena Playhouse production of IN THE MOONLIGHT EDDIE and in the world premiere of Josh Ravetch’s musical CHASING MEM’RIES at the Geffen Theater. Among Robert's favorite roles was that of Ronald Reagan in the one-man show, THE LIFEGUARD, portions of which he was able to perform at The Geffen for former First Lady Nancy Reagan herself.
In addition to his work in film, television and theater, Robert recorded audio books, including the best-seller "Hit Man," and Elmore Leonard's "Mr. Paradise," and delivered his speaking program, INTERACTING, to a variety of groups – from acting classes to graduating classes; baggage handlers to CEOs; and once (he was pleased to report) to a group of white-collar criminals in a detention facility. He developed this program during the self-termed "sliding second act" of his career. INTERACTING was like a stand-up act with a "Menu" of positive stories instead of jokes ... and a few jokes too. The stories were the lessons of his life and outline several guiding principles -- respect, responsibility, parenting (even without children), excellence, and raising any job to the level of an art form.
Forster's final professional endeavor was a book of the stories and lessons of his life, with his writing partner, Mary Chris Wall.
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10/2019