Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Robert Taylor



Robert Taylor was born Spangler Arlington Brugh on August 5, 1911 in Filley, Nebraska.

He passed away at the age of 57 on June 8, 1969 in Santa Monica, California from lung cancer. His funeral was attented by many hollywood celebrities and the eulogy was performed by long time friend and then Governor of California, Ronald Reagan.

In 1934, he signed with MGM. Although his first movie, was Handy Andy in 1934, when MGM loaned him to Fox. He got his big break when MGM once again loaned him out this time to Universal when he was cast as the leading man opposite Irene Dunne in Magnificent Obsession (1935).




He was groomed by MGM to become "The Heartthrob of the Nation." He was cast to play romantic roles opposite the most famous leading ladies of that time like Janet Gaynor, Eleanor Powell, Jean Harlow, Loretta Young, Greta Garbo and Joan Crawford. He became one of the most popular box-office stars.

In 1936 he met Barbara Stanwyck, beginning a long and solid relationship. On January 1939, Photoplay magazine published an article titled "Hollywood's Unmarried Husbands and Wives" condemning the relationships between several couples including Taylor and Stanwyck. At Louis B. Mayer's urging and encouragement, Taylor and Stanwyck married on May 14, 1939 to avoid more public scandal. They would divorce on February 21, 1951. He appeared in three movies with Barbara Stanwyck, This is My Affair (1937), His Brother's Wife (1936) and The Night Walker (1964).




He married a second time to Ursula Thiess on May 24, 1954 and they would remain married until his death. Together they had two children.

He holds Hollywood record for longest contract with one studio (MGM) 24 years from early 1934 to late 1958

His films include, in addition to the ones already mentioned, Above and Beyond, Camille, Waterloo Bridge, Billy the Kid, Ivanhoe, Personal Property, Private Number and Three Comrades.

Robert Taylor was one of the most handsome actors to grace the silver screen and he had talent to go with his good looks.

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