Introduction
Robert Symonds (December 1, 1926 – August 23, 2007) was an American actor. He was the associate director of the Repertory Theater of Lincoln Center from 1965 through 1972.
Career
His stage credits with the Lincoln Center include productions of The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Cyrano de Bergerac, The Miser, Twelfth Night, and A Streetcar Named Desire. His motion picture credits include The Exorcist (as Dr. Taney), Gray Lady Down, The Ice Pirates, Crimewave, Still Frame, Rumpelstiltskin, Mandroid, Primary Colors and Catch Me If You Can.
On television, he had a recurring role on Dynasty and guest-starred on many series, including The Rockford Files, M*A*S*H, Benson, Cheers, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (as a Bajoran in the episode "Accession"), ER, Alias, and Cold Case (his last role in the episode "Static") and as Robert E. Lee in the 1982 miniseries The Blue and the Grey. In the early 1970s Robert created the role of psycho stalker Will Watts on the CBS soap opera Where the Heart Is.
Personal life
Symonds was born in Bristow, Oklahoma, the son of Nellie (née Barry) and Walter Stout Symonds. He was married to actress Priscilla Pointer from 1980 until his death and was the step-father of actress Amy Irving and her siblings, David and Katie. He was the father of Vicki Morrison, Barry Symonds, and Becca Wooldridge.
He died on the morning of August 23, 2007, aged 80, from complications of prostate cancer.
Filmography
- The Exorcist (1973) - Dr. Taney
- Linda Lovelace for President (1975) - Uncle Sam
- Gray Lady Down (1978) - Secretary of Navy
- Shame, Shame on the Bixby Boys (1978) - Pa Bixby
- ...And Justice for All (1979) - Judge Burns
- Superstition (1982) - Pike
- The Ice Pirates (1984) - Lanky Nibs
- Crimewave (1985) - Guard #1
- Rumpelstiltskin (1987) - Victor
- CHUD II: Bud the CHUD (1989) - Proctor
- Mandroid (1993) - Karl Zimmer
- Primary Colors (1998) - Bart Nilson
- Inferno (1999) - Henry Howard
- Catch Me If You Can (2002) - Mr. Rosen