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Robert Donner 1931 - 2006

Robert Donner of Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles County, CA was born on April 27, 1931 in New York, New York United States, and died at age 75 years old on June 8, 2006 at Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles, CA.

Robert Donner

Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles County, CA 91423

April 27, 1931

New York, New York, United States

June 8, 2006

Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California, United States

Male

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Robert Donner Robert Donner (1931 - 2006)

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Robert Donner's History: 1931 - 2006

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Introduction

Robert Donner - Chracter Actor - Biography Born April 27, 1931 in New York City, New York, USA Died June 8, 2006 in Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, USA (heart attack) Birth Name Robert E. Morris Robert Donner was born in New York City and grew up in New Jersey, Michigan and Texas. Robert joined the Navy after he graduated from high school and served almost 4 years. After he left the Navy he stayed on the West Coast and worked as a shipping clerk, salesman, bartender, commercial artist, gardener, and insurance investigator. Robert attended San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University, Northridge), at nights taking courses in Art History, Psychology and speech. During this time, Robert Donner lived in Studio City and became friends with actor Clint Eastwood who lived in his apartment building. Clint urged Robert to study drama, telling him he was humorous and had a good face. When Robert was not acting he was active in athletics, and was known as one of Hollywood's most enthusiastic golfers. He was a member of the former "Hollywood Hackers" and carried a seven handicap and was the leader of a group of entertainment industry professionals known as Don Porter's Thursday Golf Group as well as joining others at many of the Celebrity Golf Tournaments who raise money for various charities around the world. Robert also played in many tennis tournaments and was frequently called upon during "Celebrity Nights" in which he performed stand-up comedy and promised not to sing. His reputation in this area also led him to become known as one of Hollywood's "in demand" Corporate Speakers. Family (1) Spouse Jill Donner (28 December 1982 - 8 June 2006) (his death) Cissy Wellman (11 December 1965 - 10 December 1982) (divorced)
04/27

1931

Birthday

April 27, 1931

Birthdate

New York, New York United States

Birthplace

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Professional Career

Selected filmography Films 1959: Rio Bravo as (uncredited) 1963: The Nutty Professor as College Student (uncredited) 1964: The Disorderly Orderly as Interne (uncredited) 1965: Red Line 7000 as Leroy Agers (uncredited) 1966: Agent for H.A.R.M. as Morgue Attendant 1967: Catalina Caper as Fingers O'Toole 1967: El Dorado as Milt 1967: The Spirit Is Willing as Ebenezer Twitchell 1967: Cool Hand Luke as Boss Shorty 1968: The Private Navy of Sgt. O'Farrell as Marine Pvt. Ogg 1968: Skidoo as Another Switchboard Operator 1969: The Undefeated as Judd Mailer 1970: Mrs. Pollifax-Spy as Larrabee 1970: Zig Zag as Sgt. Mason Weber 1970: Chisum as Bradley Morton 1970: Rio Lobo as Whitey Carter 1971: Vanishing Point as Deputy Collins 1971: One More Train to Rob as Sheriff Adams 1971: Fools' Parade as Willis Hubbard 1971: Something Big as Angel Moon 1972: Pickup on 101 as Jesse (1st Farmer) 1973: High Plains Drifter as Preacher 1973: The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing as Dub 1973: Santee as J.C. 1975: Bite the Bullet as Reporter 1975: The Boy Who Talked to Badgers as Burton 1975: Take a Hard Ride as Skave 1976: The Last Hard Men as Lee Roy 1977: Damnation Alley as Man / Guard 1979: Five Days from Home as Karl Baldwin 1981: Under the Rainbow as The Assassin 1983: Hysterical as Ralph 1986: Allan Quatermain and the Lost City of Gold as Swarma 1998: Leslie Nielsen's Stupid Little Golf Video as Himself, Leslie Nielsen's Trusted Caddie 2006: Hoot as Kalo Television 1961–67: Rawhide – 4 episodes 1965: Combat! – episode: "Odyssey" as American GI 1965: I Spy – episode: "Dragon's Teeth" as Dr. Bustard 1966/67: Daniel Boone – episodes: "The Trap", "Take the Southbound Stage" 1967: Laredo – episode: "A Question of Guilt" as Patrick Clancy 1967: Garrison's Gorillas – episodes: "The Great Crime Wave", "The Great Theft 1968: I Spy – episode: "Home to Judgment" as Mailman 1968: Death Valley Days – episode: "Ten Day Millionaires" as Tom 1968: The Guns of Will Sonnett – episodes: "Guilt", "Look for the Hound Dog" 1968: Gunsmoke – episode: "A Noose for Dobie Price" as Gil Boylan 1968: Good Morning World – First Down and 200 Miles to Go" as Justice of the Peace 1968: The Guns of Will Sonnett – episode: as Lou Parkin 1968: The Virginian – episode: "Ride to Misadventure" as Matt Dooley 1968–73: Adam-12 – 6 episodes as T.J. 1969: Bonanza – episode: "Meena" as Owen 1969: The Big Valley – episode: "Town of No Exit" as Pete Haunch 1969: Ironside – episode: "A Bullet for Mark" as Gas Station Owner 1970: The High Chaparral – episode: "A Matter of Vengeance" as Wilby 1970: Bonanza – episode: "The Horse Traders" as Owen Potter 1970: The High Chaparral – episode: "The Reluctant Deputy" as Sam Pelletier 1971: Alias Smith and Jones – episode: "Never Trust an Honest Man" as Preacher 1971: Mod Squad – episodes: "Feet of Clay", "The Hot, Hot Car" 1971: Alias Smith and Jones – episode: "The Bounty Hunter" as Nate 1971: The Bold Ones: The Senator – episode: "George Washington Told a Lie" as Matlock 1973: Columbo – episode: "Any Old Port in a Storm" as The Drunk 1973: McMillan & Wife – episode: "Two Dollars on Trouble to Win" as Price 1973: Cannon – episode: "The Seventh Grave" as Chief 1973: Kung Fu – episode: "The Tide" as Amos Houlton 1973: Griff – episode: "Isolate and Destroy" as Roscoe 1973: Mannix – episode: "Climb a Deadly Mountain" as Rizo 1974/75: The Six Million Dollar Man – episodes: "Stranger in Broken Fork", "The White Lightning War" 1974: McCloud – episode: "The Concrete Jungle Caper" as Val 1975: S.W.A.T. – episode: "Time Bomb" as Sarge 1975: Gunsmoke – episode: "The Hiders" as Belnap 1975: Cannon – episode: "Perfect Fit for a Frame" as Sheriff 1975: Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color – episode: "The Boy Who Talked to Badgers: Parts 1 & 2" as Burton 1976: Sara – episode: "When Gentlemen Agree" as Harrington 1976: Captains and the Kings – miniseries – episode: "Chapter VII" as Wounded Texan 1976: Territorial Men – movie as Harrington as 1976: Young Pioneers' Christmas – movie as Mr. Peters 1976: Charlie's Angels – episode: "To Kill an Angel" as Korbin / Frank Evans 1976: The Quest – episode: "Incident at Drucker's Tavern" as Mr. Drucker 1976: City of Angels – episode: "The Bloodshot Eye" 1977: The Feather and Father Gang – episode: "Flight to Mexico" 1972–78: The Waltons – 19 episodes as Yancy Tucker 1978–82: Mork & Mindy – 22 episodes as Exidor 1978: How the West Was Won – episode: "Brothers" as Mr. Evans 1978: Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color – episode: "Trail of Danger: Parts 1 & 2" as The Sheep Boss 1979: The MacKenzies of Paradise Cove – episode: "Last of the Red Hot Luaus" as Insbrocker 1979: B.J. and the Bear – episode: "Lobo" 1980/81: The Incredible Hulk – episodes: "Sideshow", "The Phenom" 1981: Match Game – episode: "261" as himself 1983: Voyagers! – episode: "Buffalo Bill and Annie Play the Palace" as Buffalo Bill Cody 1983: Little House on the Prairie – episode: "The Older Brothers" as Bart Younger 1983: The Mississippi – episode: "Crisis of Identity" as Bates 1984: The A-Team – episode: "Breakout!" as Sheriff J.C. Bickford 1984: Simon & Simon – episode: "A Little Wine with Murder?" as Cody Dexter 1984: Oh Madeline – episode: "Ladies' Night Out" as Gambler 1984: Blue Thunder – episode: "Revenge in the Sky" as Neil Gerrard 1986/88: Matlock – episodes: "The Cop", "The Fisherman" 1986: Murder, She Wrote – episode: "If a Body Meet a Body" as Silas Pike 1987/89: MacGyver – episodes: "Soft Touch", "Cleo Rocks" 1987: Fame – episode: "That Was the Weekend That Was" as Exalted Muskrat 1987–88: Falcon Crest – 5 episodes as Tucker Fixx 1988: Webster – episode: "The Cuckoo's Nest" as Tiger 1989: Good Morning, Miss Bliss – episode: "The Mentor" as James Lyman 1990: MacGyver – episode: "Serenity, and MacGyver's Women" as Milt Bozer 1991/94: Columbo – episodes: "Caution: Murder Can Be Hazardous to Your Health", "Undercover" 1991: Murder, She Wrote – episode: "From the Horse's Mouth" as Sheriff Tyrone McKenna 1992: In the Heat of the Night – episode: "Family Reunion" as Roy Paxton 1995: Legend – 5 episodes as Mayor Chamberlain Brown 1998: Pacific Blue – episode: "Heat of the Moment" as Luther 1999/2000 Early Edition - 2 episodes "Time" and "Fate" as Lucius Snow
06/8

2006

Death

June 8, 2006

Death date

Heart Arythmia.

Cause of death

Sherman Oaks in Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, California United States
Death location

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Obituary

Send Flowers Share ROBERT DONNER OBITUARY DONNER, Robert, (75) Unexpectedly on June 8th. Healthy and vigorous until the last moments of his life, Bob leaves behind a multitude of family, friends, and colleagues who are really p.o.'d. He was a passionate man who loved his wife, Jill; the game of golf; and a 40-year career as a character actor. Proud of and known for countless roles in movies and television, Bob never stopped working. He was beloved as Exidor on "Mork and Mindy," as Yancy Tucker on "The Waltons" and as a favorite sheriff, bad guy or wild-eyed preacher. His feature credits include: "Cool Hand Luke," "Bite the Bullet," "Vanishing Point," "Under the Rainbow," and a number of John Wayne westerns ("El Dorado," "Undefeated," "Chisum"). In addition to Jill, he is survived by brothers Donn (Carolee) Morris and Gordon (Eleanor) Morris; a nephew, Donn, Jr.; niece, Kimberlee; great-niece, Kristofer; and sister-in-law Joan Kelley (Benn). A celebration of Bob's life will be held at a later date. In the meantime, raise a glass in his memory (preferably a very dry Beefeater martini, up with an olive). Published by Los Angeles Times on Jun. 13, 2006. He brought me years of entertainment. He will be greatly missed. Martha Friend May 18, 2021 Mr. Donner's character of Yancy Tucker always brought a very big smile to my face. I loved the fact that "Yancy" was always so devoted to his animals, as I have 7 cats and every one of them sleep with me at some point during the night. I will always think of Mr. Donner with a smile and be greatful that he brought such a wonderful, loving touch to the character of Yancy. God Bless Mr. Donner and his family. Dayzea & Kitties Dayzea Kitty June 23, 2006 RIP UNCLE BOBBY, WE LOVE AND MISS YOU. I'LL ALWAYS REMEMBER THE WAY YOU MADE ME LAUGH WHEN I WAS A LITTLE GIRL. I AM BLESSED WITH GREAT MEMORIES THAT INVLOVE YOU. THE WAY YOU MADE ME SMILE ON MY GRADUATION DAY, BECAUSE OF SOME OFF THE WALL JOKE YOU MADE ABOUT MY DRESS, AND THAT IT SHOWED TO MUCH. THESE MEMORIES WILL STAY WITH ME FOR AS LONG AS I LIVE, AND MORE. THIS IS NOT A "GOODBYE", ITS MORE LIKE AN "I'LL BE SEEING YA" WITH LOVE YOUR NIECE, KRISTOFER KRISTOFER HENRY June 22, 2006 Jill, My brother, Barry Fleming, loved your husband and when he called me several days ago and told me of Bob's death we were both deeply saddened. I met Bob several times when he brought many of his California friends to Charleston, WV, for a celebrity golf tournament held at my brother's golf course. I played golf with Bob, Leslie and Barry once in California while on a trip and we all had a great time together. Bob was always great to Barry and will forever be remembered as one of the kindest persons we will ever have the pleasure of knowing. Fondest regards. David and Barry Fleming David Fleming June 18, 2006 My sympathies to Robert Donner's family. His work will keep his talent alive for future generations to see his greatness. May he rest in peace. Felipe Magos, Jr. June 18, 2006 Goodnight, Yancy... Dixie Wright June 18, 2006 Requiescat In Pace! Robert Donner was one of my favorite characters in The Waltons. I always liked the fact he slept with his dogs and I can identify with that as my cat sleeps with me! Goodnight Robert! Donald Nelson June 14, 2006 Jillie - i will miss him calling me brandes. He always had a joke for me before you picked up the phone. I loved him and I love you. My thoughts are with you every day. Hoping he runs into my mom. Susan Brandes June 14, 2006 My heart goes out to the Jill & the Donner family. Bob was a lovely, handsome, and hysterically funny man. We met in '68 on the set of an awesomely awful Otto Preminger film. Bob was a switchboard operator. Me: a small town tart! We spent many days of the shoot drowning our sorrows in dry martini's. Bob was Beefeater. Me: Shmirnof. He knew everybody! And was loved by all. I will certainly raise a glass to this wonderful, wonderful man who will be sadly and sorely missed. Barrie Milton June 14, 2006 I too met Mr. Donner at a Walton's reunion and I thought he was a real hoot. I will certainly miss him. Jenni Wiesemann June 14, 2006 Sorry to hear of Robert's passing. My family enjoyed his acting, especially on the Walton's. Harriet Thompson June 14, 2006 The world has lost one of the finest character actors ever. I'll remember him best from the Waltons & Mork and Mindy but he was also great in many movies including my favorite Cool Hand Luke. R.I.P Mr. Donner, You will be missed. Charles Hunt June 14, 2006 Robert was a great actor with a sense of humor that never quit. I met him at a Walton fan gathering in 1999 and found him to be a very funny guy and a very nice guy as well. Yancy was one of my favorite Waltons characters. RIP,Robert. Patrick Lloyd June 14, 2006 Robert you will be missed dearly rest in peace. Jared Walker June 13, 2006 Say hello to my mom Mr. Donner! I'll raise a glass to you but I stink at golf. You will be missed by all and I enjoyed the 2 times I had the opportunity to meet you. Prayers and hugs go out to your family Cindy Adler June 13, 2006 Though now you rest,your work will continue as Yancy Tucker graces our screens and we wish the family well,I'm sure they are proud to have known you,as we feel like we have known you all these years through the Waltons and then some.Bless you Mr.Donner and your family as well. The Booth Family June 13, 2006 My favorite character from the Waltons... We'll miss you Robert. Thanks for giving us Yancy Tucker, Only you could have pulled it off so well Dan Hurd~ Dan Hurd June 13, 2006 Dearest Jill, Dad doesn't have e-mail (sound familiar?) but wanted me to tell you how greatly we feel your loss & how saddened we are. You know those Taurean men, time & space could not separate their friendship, despite everything. I will always treasure my memories of Donner (taught me to play pool at age 9!) & his immeasurable gift of friendship to my father. Lauren hopes the cats are ok. You are in our thoughts & prayers. The Virginia Connection, "Pedro", Merri Jo & The Marx Family Merri Jo Marx-Abernethy June 13, 2006 Who could ever forget the loveable chicken thief, Yancy? I had hoped to meet him at one of the Walton reunions. Robert was a superb actor and brought many happy moments to his audience. God bless you in your grief of his too soon passing. May we all celebrate his life. Catie Rogers June 13, 2006 May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow. Jean and Karen Michel June 12, 2006

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Robert Donner lived exactly as long as the average family member when died at the age of 75.

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5 Memories, Stories & Photos about Robert

Robert Donner with Peter Falk on Columbo.

Amanda S. Stevenson

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07/19/2022

Robert Donner with Peter Falk on Columbo.

He collected the meter quarters that solved the crime.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/19/2022

Robert Donner.

TV and Movie Actor.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Amanda S. Stevenson

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07/19/2022

ACTOR AND GOLFER.

Discovered by Clint Eastwood.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Robert donner as Zeke Rivers on Columbo.

Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/19/2022

Robert donner as Zeke Rivers on Columbo.

Delightful Character Actor.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Amanda S. Stevenson

17.8k+ favorites

07/19/2022

Robert Donner

Character Actor.

Date & Place: Not specified or unknown.

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Robert Donner's Family Tree & Friends

Robert Donner's Family Tree

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Robert Donner Apr 27, 1931 - Jun 8, 2006

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