Robert Hastings (born April 18, 1925) is an American film, radio, and television character actor. He has also provided voices for animated cartoons,
Hastings was born in Brooklyn, New York, a son of Charles and Hazel Hastings, Sr. His father was a salesman. Hastings started in radio on "Coast-to-Coast on a Bus" (
NBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices in Burbank,California...
). After serving in
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he acted the role of
Archie AndrewsArchie Andrews may refer to one of two fictional characters:*Archie Andrews , U.S. comic book character*Archie Andrews , British ventriloquist's puppet...
in a series based on the Archie comic book series on the
Mutual Broadcasting SystemThe Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. Of the four national networks of American radio's classic era, Mutual had for decades the largest number of affiliates but the least certain financial position. In the golden age of U.S...
.
Robert Hastings (born April 18, 1925) is an American film, radio, and television character actor. He has also provided voices for animated cartoons,
Early life and career
Hastings was born in Brooklyn, New York, a son of Charles and Hazel Hastings, Sr. His father was a salesman. Hastings started in radio on "Coast-to-Coast on a Bus" (
NBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices in Burbank,California...
). After serving in
World War IIWorld War II, or the Second World War , was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including all great powers, organized into two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, he acted the role of
Archie AndrewsArchie Andrews may refer to one of two fictional characters:*Archie Andrews , U.S. comic book character*Archie Andrews , British ventriloquist's puppet...
in a series based on the Archie comic book series on the
Mutual Broadcasting SystemThe Mutual Broadcasting System was an American radio network, in operation from 1934 to 1999. Of the four national networks of American radio's classic era, Mutual had for decades the largest number of affiliates but the least certain financial position. In the golden age of U.S...
. Hastings moved to television in 1949, performing in early science-fiction series, including
Atom SquadAtom Squad was a live science-fiction 15-minute TV series broadcast by the NBC network, July 6, 1953 to January 22, 1954, Monday-Friday, 5:00 to 5:15 PM EST....
. His first recurring role was as a lieutenant on
Phil SilversPhil Silvers was an American entertainer and comedy actor. He is best known for starring in The Phil Silvers Show, a 1950s sitcom set on a U.S...
' show
Sergeant Bilko in the late 1950s.
1960s-1970s
Most of his career has been spent in television, including an episode on
Green AcresGreen Acres is an American television series starring Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor as a couple who move from New York City to a farm in the country...
as a sheriff. Also Hastings is remembered for roles including Captain Binghamton's yes-man Lieutenant Elroy Carpenter on
McHale's NavyMcHale's Navy is an American television sitcom series which ran for 138 half-hour episodes from October 11, to August 31, on the ABC network...
, and Captain Ramsey on
General HospitalGeneral Hospital is an American daytime television drama and is currently credited by the Guiness Book of World Records as being the second longest-running soap opera in production and the second longest running drama in television in production. It premiered on the ABC television network on April...
. He was briefly the host of the game show
Dealer's ChoiceDealer's Choice was an American game show that aired from January 21, 1974 to December 12, 1975 in syndication. Bob Hastings was the host for only the first few weeks and was later replaced by Jack Clark. They were assisted by hostess Jane Nelson and by announcer Jim Thompson...
, and had a recurring role as bar owner Tommy Kelcy on
All in the FamilyAll in the Family is an American situation comedy that was originally broadcast on the CBS television network from January 12, 1971 to April 8, 1979. In September 1979, the show was revamped, and given a new title, Archie Bunker's Place...
.
After
McHale's Navy, Hastings was a regular on the Universal Studios lot, where Universal paid actors during downtime to be on the grounds and talk to tourists. According to an interview on Time Travel Radio, he got along so well with the people that he became one of the few regulars on the tour.
Hastings played Cousin Phantom of the Opera in the TV movie
The Munsters' RevengeThe Munsters' Revenge was a 1981 telefilm produced by Universal Studios. This motion picture reunited castmembers Fred Gwynne, Yvonne De Carlo, and Al Lewis. Marilyn Munster was played by newcomer Jo McDonnell and Eddie Munster was played by child actor K. C. Martel. This television movie was...
. Hastings was in a 1971 movie starring
Don KnottsJesse Donald "Don" Knotts was an American comedic actor best known for his portrayal of Barney Fife on the 1960s television sitcom The Andy Griffith Show, a role which earned him five Emmy Awards...
called
How to Frame a FiggHow to Frame a Figg is a 1971 Universal comedy about a bungling bookkeeper's assistant, Hollis Alexander Figg in the Dalton city hall, who finds himself framed for embezzlement...
.
Voice over work
Hastings has also done voice work for animation and commercials, including Beany on
Beany and CecilBeany and Cecil was an animated cartoon series created by Bob Clampett, who had previously worked for Warner Bros.. Originally a puppet show entitled Time for Beany, it aired as an animated series for one season in 1962, and then the 26 episodes were shown as repeats for the next five years...
, The Raven on the
Munsters series, Superboy in the
Superman/Aquaman cartoons of the 1960s, D.D. on Hanna-Barbera's
Clue ClubClue Club is a 30-minute Saturday morning animated series produced by Hanna-Barbera Productions from August 14, 1976 to September 3, 1977 on CBS....
, and the voice of
Commissioner Jim GordonJames Worthington "Jim" Gordon is a fictional character, an ally of Batman that appears in comic books published by DC Comics. The character first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and was created by Bill Finger and Bob Kane...
in the popular
Batman: The Animated SeriesBatman: The Animated Series is an American animated series adaptation of the comic book series starring the DC Comics superhero, Batman. The series is noted for being the first to take place in the DC Animated Universe. It was produced by Warner Bros. Animation.The visual style of the series is...
and its various spinoffs in the
DC Animated UniverseThe DC Animated Universe is a fan term that refers to a series of popular animated television series and related spin-offs produced by Warner Bros. Animation which share the same continuity. Most of these series are adapted from DC Comics properties...
.
Personal life
Hastings is the brother of longtime
As the World TurnsAs the World Turns is an American television soap opera that airs each weekday on CBS.Set in the fictional town of Oakdale, Illinois, the show debuted on Monday, April 2, 1956 at 1:30pm EST. Prior to April 2, 1956 all serials were fifteen minutes in length...
star
Don HastingsDonald Francis Hastings is an American actor, singer, and writer best known for his decades-long portrayal of Dr. Robert "Bob" Hughes" on the soap opera As the World Turns...
. He has been married to wife Joan Rice for over 50 years and has four children, 10 grandchildren, and 3 great-grandchildren. He continues to tour the country as a participant in various
Old-Time RadioOld-Time Radio and the Golden Age of Radio refer to a period of radio programming in the United States lasting from the proliferation of radio broadcasting in the early 1920s until television's replacement of radio as the dominant home entertainment medium in the 1950s...
Conventions, reading scripts for such shows as
Archie AndrewsArchie Andrews may refer to one of two fictional characters:*Archie Andrews , U.S. comic book character*Archie Andrews , British ventriloquist's puppet...
and
The BickersonsThe Bickersons was a radio comedy sketch series that began in 1946 on NBC, moving the following year to CBS where it continued until 1951...
. He is scheduled to appear at the 2009 Cincinnati
Old-Time RadioOld-Time Radio and the Golden Age of Radio refer to a period of radio programming in the United States lasting from the proliferation of radio broadcasting in the early 1920s until television's replacement of radio as the dominant home entertainment medium in the 1950s...
Convention and the 2009
Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia ConventionThe Mid-Atlantic Nostalgia Convention is held annually in Aberdeen, Maryland. The founders of the non-profit event, define nostalgia as "anything you long for since the days of your youth that is no longer available."...
in Aberdeen, Maryland. Hastings will be performing on stage for attendees.