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Cummings, Robert, 1908-1990

 Person

Dates

  • Existence: 1908 - 1990

Biographical History

Robert Cummings (1908-1990) was an American motion picture and television star.

Born Charles Clarence Robert Orville Cummings on June 9, 1908, Robert (or Bob) Cummings grew up in Joplin, Missouri with parents Dr. Charles Clarence Cummings and Ruth Annabelle Kraft. His godfather was Orville Wright, an influence that created a lifelong love for aviation. Cummings served for two years as a flight instructor during World War II. He briefly studied at the Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and then at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. To launch his career, he used various enterprising techniques to obtain roles. On Broadway, he got roles by introducing himself as an Englishman named Blade Stanhope Conway. In a similar manner, he began his Hollywood career as a Texan named Bryce Hutchins. Soon after he started using his real name once again.

In the 1940s and 1950s, Cummings established a successful career in both film and television. While he was largely known for light comedies, he also proved his dramatic talents in movies like "Saboteur" (1942) and "Dial M For Murder" (1954) and won an Emmy for his role in a TV production of "12 Angry Men" (1954). He was best known as a playboy photographer in his popular sitcom, "The Bob Cummings Show" (also known as "Love That Bob," 1955-59). He was a firm believer in health foods and vitamins and published a book on healthy living entitled, "Stay Young and Vital" (1960). He was married five times and fathered seven children. Cummings died on December 2, 1990.

Citation:
The Accusing finger [MP] 1936:credits (cast of characters, Robert Cummings)

Bob clashes with Ken [MP] 1959:credits (Bob Cummings)

Haliwell's Filmgoer's companion, 1983(Robert Cummings; b. 1908)

Katz, E. Film encyc., 1979(Cummings, Robert (Bob); b. Clarence Robert Orville Cummings on June 10, 1908 in Joplin, Mo.; AKA Blade Stanhope Conway; AKA Brice Hutchens)

Wikipedia, July 19, 2006:(Robert Cummings; 1908-1990; movie actor)

IMDB.com, Dec. 20, 2010(Robert Cummings; Charles Clarence Cummings; Blade Stanhope Conway; Bob Cummings; Bruce Hutchens; d. Dec. 2, 1990 in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, Calif.)

TCM, via WWW, May 22, 2018 (Hollywood and television career; "Saboteur"; "Dial M For Murder"; Emmy for "12 Angry Men"; "The Bob Cummings Show")

Wikipedia, via WWW, May 22, 2018 (Robert Cummings; Joplin, Missouri; parents; Orville Wright and flying; WWII service; Carnegie Institute of Technology and American Academy of Dramatic Arts; Blade Stanhope Conway; Bryce Hutchins; Stay Young and Vital; health food and vitamins; marriages and children; death date)