Robert Lansing

Born Robert Brown, actor Robert Lansing borrowed his stage name from the capital city of Michigan. Lansing first appeared on Broadway in Stalag 17 (1951); throughout his film career he periodically returned to the New York stage, making his last such appearance in 1991. He made his film bow in 1959 with The 4-D Man, delivering one of the finest performances ever seen in a medium-budget science fiction film. His first TV-series stint was as detective Steve Carella in 87th Precinct (1961). In 1964, he was cast as Brigadier General Frank Savage in 12 O'Clock High. At the beginning of the series' second year, Lansing was written out of the program with startling finality, dying in an air crash in the second season's opening episode. Turning up none the worse for wear in the fall of 1966, Lansing starred in the short-lived espionage series The Man Who Never Was, essaying the dual role of secret agent Peter Murphy and millionaire Mark Wainwright. He then busied himself with film and stage work, returning to TV as Lt. Jack Curtis in Automan (1983) and as The Control in The Equalizer (1985-89). His last regular TV assignment was as Captain Paul Blaisdell in Kung Fu: The Legend Continues (1992-1994). In the series' last episode of 1994, Captain Blaisdell was forced to retire; mortally ill with cancer, he died three weeks before the airing of his final episode, which was dedicated to his memory. At one time, Robert Lansing was married to General Hospital star Emily McLaughlin; and from 1991 to 1993, he was president of The Players, a theatrical fraternal organization.

~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide