Robert Prosky was an American actor and comedian.
Early life Prosky, a Polish American, was born
Robert Joseph Porzuczek in the Manayunk neighborhood of Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, to Helen and Joseph Porzuczek. His father was a grocer and
butcher. He was raised in a working-class neighborhood and studied
at the American Theatre Wing, later graduating from Temple University. He
performed at Old Academy Players, a small theater in the East Falls section
of Philadelphia, adjacent to Manayunk. Career
Prosky appeared in Thief, Christine, Hanky Panky, The Natural, Hoffa,
Broadcast News, Things Change, The Great Outdoors, Loose Cannons, Rudy, Mrs.
Doubtfire, Green Card, and Dead Man Walking. In addition to appearing in
films, Prosky appeared as a regular on Hill Street Blues, Danny, and Veronica's
Closet. He was considered for the role of Martin Crane in Frasier and later
made a guest appearance in the series as a reclusive writer. He portrayed Rebecca
Howe's father on Cheers. Prosky also portrayed Jake "the Snake" Connolly on a
2-part 1991 episode of Coach. He also appeared as Will Darnell, the
man who owned the auto repair shop where Arnie Cunningham rebuilds the possessed
car "Christine" in the film John Carpenter's Christine based on Stephen
King's novel. Prior to his film and television career, he appeared in
numerous productions at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., most notably as
Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman. Prosky often performed at Arena Stage
with over 100 stage credits to his name at that theatre alone. He also
originated the role of Shelly Levene in David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning
play Glengarry Glen Ross. He was also a board member of the Cape May Stage in
Cape May, New Jersey. Personal life
In 1960, he married Ida Hove, who survived him, along with three sons,
Stefan, John and Andrew Prosky. Andrew and John Prosky are also actors.
Death On December 8, 2008, Prosky died at age
77, 5 days before his 78th birthday, from complications following a heart
procedure. At the time of his death, he was living in the Capitol Hill
neighborhood of Washington, D.C. Filmography
Thief - Leo World War III - General Rudenski
Hanky Panky - Hiram Calder Monsignor - Bishop Walkman
The Lords of Discipline- LTC Thomas "The Bear" Berrineau
John Carpenter's Christine - Will Darnell
The Keep - Father Fonescu The Natural - The Judge
Hill Street Blues - Sgt. Stan Jablonski Outrageous Fortune - Stanislav
Korzenowski Big Shots - Keegan
Broadcast News - Ernie Merriman The Murder of Mary Phagan - Thomas
Edward Watson The Great Outdoors - Wally
Things Change - Joseph 'Don Giuseppe' Vincent
The Heist - Dancer Loose Cannons - Von Metz
Gremlins 2: The New Batch - Grandpa Fred Funny About Love - E.T.
Green Card - Brontë's Lawyer Coach - Jake "The Snake" Connolly
Age Isn't Everything - Grandpa Irving Far and Away - Daniel Christie
Hoffa - Billy Flynn Last Action Hero - Nick
Rudy - Father Cavanaugh Mrs. Doubtfire - Jonathan Lundy
Miracle on 34th Street - Judge Henry Harper
The Scarlet Letter - Horace Stonehall Dead Man Walking - Hilton Barber
The Chamber - E. Garner Goodman Mad City - Lou Potts
Veronica's Closet - Pat Chase The Lake - Herb
Dudley Do-Right - Inspector Fenwick Eye See You - McKenzie
Death to Smoochy - Network Chairman Suits on the Loose - Bishop Hollister
The Skeptic - Father Wymond Television
Fraiser Stage
References External links
Robert Prosky at the Internet Movie Database
Robert Prosky at the TCM Movie Database Robert Prosky at AllMovie
Robert Prosky at Find a Grave AP Obituary in The Philadelphia Inquirer