Robert Alda (born Alfonso Giovanni Giuseppe Roberto D'Abruzzo; February 26, 1914 – May 3, 1986) was an American actor, singer and dancer. Alda was featured in a number of Broadway productions, then moved 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).
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Career
He began his performing career as a singer and dancer in vaudeville after winning a talent contest, and moved on to burlesque.
In 1949, as part of Jack Carson's radio program, Alda toured with Jack Carson and Marion Hutton.
Alda is known for portraying George Gershwin in the biographical film Rhapsody in Blue (1945) as well as the talent agent in the Douglas Sirk classic Imitation of Life (1959). On Broadway, he originated the role of Sky Masterson in Guys and Dolls (1950), for which he won a Tony Award, and starred in What Makes Sammy Run? (1964). He was also the host of the DuMont version of the game show What's Your Bid? (May–June 1953).
In the mid-1950s, Alda starred as espionage agent Colonel Bill Morgan in the syndicated television series Secret Files USA, the episodes of which were based on stories from American intelligence services. He was host of the TV game show Can Do in 1956.
His son Alan said "He was very famous but he hardly made much money because that was at a time when Warner had those seven-year contracts."
Alda made two guest appearances with Alan on M*A*S*H, in the episodes "The Consultant" (January 1975) and, also with his younger son Antony Alda, "Lend a Hand" (February 1980).
Alda appeared in an episode of The Feather & Father Gang in 1977.
Personal life
Alda's first wife, and mother of actor Alan Alda, Joan Browne, was a homemaker and former beauty pageant winner. They divorced in 1946.
Alda was the father of actors Alan and Antony Alda.
Death
Alda died on May 3, 1986, aged 72, two years after suffering a stroke from which he never fully recovered. He is buried in the Garden of Ascension lot 9101 Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California.
Acting credits
Selected filmography
Rhapsody in Blue (1945) as George Gershwin
Cinderella Jones (1946) as Tommy Coles
Cloak and Dagger (1946) as Pinkie
The Beast with Five Fingers (1946) as Bruce Conrad
The Man I Love (1947) as Nicky Toresca
Nora Prentiss (1947) as Phil Dinardo, Cafe Owner
Bungalow 13 (1948)
April Showers (1948) as Billy Shay
Homicide (1949) as Andy
Hollywood Varieties (1950) as Master of Ceremonies
Tarzan and the Slave Girl (1950) as Neil
Mister Universe (1951) as Fingers Maroni
Two Gals and a Guy (1951) as Deke Oliver
Beautiful But Dangerous (1955) as Maestro Doria
Assignment Abroad (1955) as Major Bill Morgan
Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1959) (Season 4 Episode 14: "The Morning After") as Ben Nelson
Imitation of Life (1959) as Allen Loomis
The Millionaire (TV series) episode "The Julia Conrad Story" (1959) as Gilbert Patterson, with co-star Ellen Drew
Un militare e mezzo (1960) as Roy Harrison
Theater
Guys and Dolls (1950–1953) — Tony Award for Best Leading Actor in a Musical
Harbor Lights (1956)
Roger the Sixth (1957)
Can-Can (1963)
What Makes Sammy Run? (1964–1965)
Riverwind (1966)
My Daughter, Your Son (1969)
The Front Page (1969–1970)
Follies (1973)
The Sunshine Boys (1974–1975)