Physique: Average/Chubby Build
Height: 5’ 10½" (1.79 m)
Robert Prosky (born Robert Joseph Porzuczek, December 13, 1930 – December 8, 2008; aged 77) was an American actor. He became a well-known supporting actor in the 1980s with his roles in Thief, Christine, The Natural, and Broadcast News. Prosky’s other notable movies include Gremlins 2: The New Batch, Hoffa, Mrs. Doubtfire, Last Action Hero, Miracle on 34th Street, Dead Man Walking and Mad City. His most notable TV role was of Sgt. Stan Jablonski on the TV police drama Hill Street Blues.
A craggy-faced, heavyset character actor, Prosky was the first guy I like with a beard. Sounds silly to say now, but he really rocked that beard in Mrs. Doubtfire that I couldn’t help but like him. Don’t get me wrong, I’d fuck the shit out of him without the beard. It just goes to show what some facial fuzz can do for a man. He was best suited to playing salt-of-the-earth characters, sometimes with a mischievous or slightly sinister edge that allow him to work that beard of his.
A native of Philadelphia, Prosky studied at the American Theatre Wing, later graduating from Temple University. He performed at Old Academy Players, a small theater in the East Falls section of Philadelphia, adjacent to Manayunk. He also served in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. Prosky spent 23 seasons as a resident actor with the Arena Stage Theater in Washington, DC before making his film debut as an initially ingratiating gangster in Michael Mann's Thief. He came to prominence as the endearing Sgt. Jablonski on Hill Street Blues. Prosky also became a familiar TV face in a succession of TV movies, pilots, and guest spots.
Prosky died in 2008 from complications of heart surgery. He was survived by his wife of forty-eight years, Ida Prosky, and three sons, Stefan Prosky, John Prosky and Andrew Prosky, the latter two being actors as well.
RECOMMENDATIONS:
Dead Man Walking (1995)
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993)
Hill Street Blues (TV Series 1984–1987)
Broadcast News (1987)
Thief (1981)