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Robert Shayne
Age: 92 (passed away Nov. 29th, 1992)
Height:
Birth Place: Yonkers, New York, USA
Born: Dec. 31st, 1969
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Robert Shayne's Main TV Roles
NOTE: Complete List of Works can be found at
IMDB
BIOGRAPHY: Born in turn-of-the-century Yonkers, New York, Robert Shayne (born Robert Shaen Dawe) worked at a variety of jobs before his interests ultimately turned toward acting. He appeared in a succession of legit theater productions throughout the 1930s and even appeared in a few films, making a comedy short in New York in 1929, two features in 1934 and a comedy short shot in New York in 1937. In 1942 he signed with Warner Brothers and trekked to Hollywood, where he became a contract player at their Culver City studios. Warners starred the newly-arrived stage actor in a series of two-reel Westerns before graduating him to supporting roles in "A"-level features. In 1946 he left the studio to freelance. Several years later he got involved in the infant medium of TV, where he played the part for which he is best remembered--Inspector Henderson in the series "Adventures of Superman" (1952).
TRIVIA:
- Served with 'Ronald Reagan (I)' (qv) on the Screen Actors Guild board and on the committee for aging actors at the Actors Equity Association.
- First film experience was in an experimental two-reel talkie in 1929 with 'Bert Lahr' (qv) shot at the famed Astoria Studios in New York.
- During the shooting of his "Superman" series, Shayne became active in union organizing, which put him in conflict with studio executives. Suddenly he found himself subpoenaed to appear before The House Un-American Activities Committee to answer for his alleged "Communist" sympathies. Although the producers of "Superman" stood by his side and knew it was a setup, Shayne had a hard time getting parts during the 1950s.
- Worked part-time as a stockbroker until the crash of 1929.
- One of his last TV appearances was in _"The Flash" (1990)_ (qv), in which he played a blind news vendor. He was 90 at the time and declared legally blind himself.
- Two children with Elizabeth: 1) son, Robert Shayne, Jr. born June 5, 1947 died August 19, 1983 of throat cancer. Was a child actor. 2) Daughter, 'Stephanie Shayne (II)' (qv) born March 11, 1950, still living. Actress since childhood, still working.
- Reunited with his one-time "Superman" co-star 'Phyllis Coates' (qv), who played Lois Lane, in his last legit stage production, "Never Too Late." His daughter, 'Stephanie Shayne (I)' (qv), played Kate, his on-stage daughter.
- Raised in the political arena of Washington, DC. His father was a publisher with major connections to the White House. As a very young child Shayne once sat on the lap of President 'William Howard Taft' (qv). When Taft asked him how he was, the young Shayne replied that he was uncomfortable sitting on Taft's lap because his belly was so big (Taft was renowned for his girth and was so fat he once got stuck in the bathtub at the White House).
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