Robert Alda (born Alfonso Giuseppe Giovanni Roberto D'Abruzzo;[citation needed] February 26, 1914 – May 3, 1986) was an Italian-American theatrical and film actor, a singer, and a dancer. He was the father of actors Alan and Antony Alda. 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).
Career
He began his performing career as a singer and dancer in vaudeville after winning a talent contest, and moved on to burlesque.[1]
In the mid-1950s, Alda starred as espionage agent Colonel Bill Morgan in the syndicated TV series Secret Files USA, the episodes of which were based on stories from American intelligence services.[3] He was host of the TV game show Can Do in 1956.[4]
Alda made two guest appearances with his son Alan on M*A*S*H, in the episodes "The Consultant" (January 1975) and "Lend a Hand" (February 1980). The latter episode also featured Antony Alda, his younger son by his second wife.
Alda's first wife, and mother of actor Alan Alda, Joan Browne, was a homemaker and former beauty pageant winner. They divorced in 1946.[5]
Death
Alda died on May 3, 1986, aged 72, after a long illness following a stroke.[6] He is buried in the Garden of Ascension lot 9101 Forest Lawn Cemetery, Glendale, California.[7]
Window Card Poster from 1950 original Broadway production of Guys and Dolls
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