Robert Wagner

Robert Wagner Headshot

Actor

Birth Date: February 10, 1930

Age: 94 years old

Birth Place: Detroit, Michigan

Spouses: Natalie Wood, Jill St. John

The epitome of the handsome and debonair Hollywood star, actor Robert Wagner - known to friends as "R.J." - played romantic heroes and upstanding young men in a string of mostly unmemorable 1950s and 1960s-era features, before finding lasting fame as one of television's smoothest leading men. Wagner brought old-school class to the ABC action drama "It Takes a Thief" (ABC, 1968-1970) and, more importantly, showed a knack for light comedy with his roles in "Switch" (CBS, 1975-1980) and "Hart to Hart" (ABC, 1979-1984). He also made headlines in his personal life; most notably for being one-half of one of Hollywood's most beloved couples after marrying the beautiful Natalie Wood not once, but twice. It was her mysterious death by drowning in November 1981 which sealed their legend and caused an outpouring of love and support for the actor. This goodwill carried over year after year as the veteran actor aged gracefully, settled into a happy marriage with actress Jill St. John, and was always welcomed warmly with numerous appearances on both the big and small screens; most memorably as Mike Myers's Number Two in the "Austin Powers" film franchise. Yet the stain of Wood's mysterious death never left Wagner's public image, as rumors that the couple fought on board the boat resurfaced periodically in the press. In early 2018, Wagner was unofficially termed a person of interest in Wood's death, amid reports that Wagner's official story about the night in question had shifted in police interviews.

Born Robert John Wagner Jr. on Feb. 10, 1930 in Detroit, MI, Wagner's father was a steel industry executive, leaving the family to relocate to Los Angeles when he was in grade school. He was expected to follow in his father's footsteps, but after a turn in drag (as Priscilla Alden) in a high school production of "The Courtship of Miles Standish," Wagner began to think about acting as his profession. A job at the Bel-Air Country Club, where he caddied to such stars as Clark Gable, gave him further inspiration, so he announced to his father than he intended to become an actor. Robert Wagner Sr. gave his son an ultimatum: he would have one year to find success in Hollywood or quit and get into the steel business. Fortunately for Wagner Jr., his first job came shortly after his father's declaration with a bit part in "The Happy Years" (1950). More small roles followed, but his appearance as a hospitalized paratrooper in "With a Song in My Heart" (1952), about American singer Jane Froman (Susan Hayward), led to a contract with 20th Century Fox. Supporting roles in notable films like John Ford's "What Price Glory" (1952) and the John Phillip Sousa biopic "Stars and Stripes Forever" (1953), for which he earned a Golden Globe nomination, eventually led to starring roles - though pictures like "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef" (1953) and "Prince Valiant" (1954) asked little more of him than to look handsome. It took the intervention of actor Spencer Tracy to pull him out of the teen idol doldrums. The much respected Tracy took the young man under his wing and asked that he be cast as his son Joseph, who is tormented by his brothers for being half Native-American, in the dramatic Western "Broken Lance" (1954). The opportunity led to other substantial parts for Wagner, including "A Kiss Before Dying" (1956), which had him playing against type as a psychotic killer, and "Between Heaven and Hell," for which he played a wealthy playboy who undergoes an emotional transformation during World War II.

Wagner underwent a transformation of his own in 1956 when he became involved with another up-and-coming talent, former child actress ("Miracle on 34th Street" (1947)), Natalie Wood. The attractive pair was splashed across numerous magazine covers, and their marriage in 1957 earned them even further press. But their personal lives and careers floundered. Despite having proven his talents, Wagner's status as a leading man faltered in the late '50s and early '60s, and after Wood's contract was suspended for refusing to appear in a film in Europe, the couple experienced significant financial difficulties. The pressures caused a strain on their marriage, and Wagner and Wood eventually divorced in 1962. They would later admit that they were simply too young to get married. Extremely distraught, Wagner fled to Europe, where he appeared as a soldier in the war epic, "The Longest Day" (1962). While there, he met and became involved with a fellow actor, Marion Marshall. The new couple was married in 1963, and a daughter, Katie, followed in 1964.

Wagner's film career slowed considerably during the 1960s. He enjoyed a few notable projects, including "The Pink Panther" (1963) - he was blinded for a month after an accident on the set involving industrial cleaning agents - and two films with Paul Newman - "Harper" (1966) and the racing drama "Winning" (1969) - but for the most part, he was tapped for his good looks and resonant voice in forgettable movies like "Don't Just Stand There!" (1968) and "The Biggest Bundle of Them All" (1969). In 1968, he took the supposed step down by signing on to his first television series with "It Takes a Thief." As a suave burglar turned spy, Wagner's looks and charm were a considerable asset. Although the show lasted just two seasons, it gave his star a considerable boost, earning him his second Golden Globe nomination and first Emmy nod.

From 1970, Wagner worked constantly and almost exclusively on television, guesting on series like "The Streets of San Francisco" (ABC, 1972-77) and the acclaimed World War II drama, "Colditz" (BBC, 1972-74). He also reunited romantically with Wood after a chance encounter in 1971. Though Wood was married and with a daughter at the time (future actress Natasha Gregson Wagner), the couple reignited their relationship, and, to the delight of true romance fans everywhere, remarried in 1972. Their only biological child together, daughter Courtney, was born in 1974. Finally happy together, Wagner and Wood appeared in several highly regarded television projects, most notably a production of "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof" (1976) with Laurence Olivier as Big Daddy. Wagner also made several theatrical features during this period, including the star-packed "The Towering Inferno" (1974) and "Midway" (1976). In addition to all his responsibilities, he found time to dabble in TV production, offering up to producer Aaron Spelling an idea he and Wood had conjured up; an idea which blossomed into the iconic jiggle show of them all: "Charlie's Angels" (ABC, 1976-1981).

In 1975, Wagner starred in his second series, "Switch," a drama co-starring his lifelong friend Eddie Albert, whom he had met on the set of "The Longest Day." The pair played detectives who specialized in elaborate cons to trap criminals. A relatively popular series, it lasted two seasons before ending its network run in 1978. The following year, Wagner signed on to play millionaire Jonathan Hart, who dabbled in detective work with his wife Jennifer (Stephanie Powers), in "Hart to Hart." Created by novelist Sidney Sheldon and produced by Aaron Spelling, the series was glossy, campy fun and a huge hit. Wagner earned numerous Golden Globe and Emmy nods for his tongue-in-cheek work.

On Nov. 29, 1981, Wagner endured a terrible tragedy when Wood drowned while the couple was sailing off the coast of Catalina Island. After much investigation, it was deemed an accidental death, with an intoxicated Wood supposedly falling into the water after attempting to leave their yacht, Splendor, and enter the boat's rubber dinghy. Weighted down with a thick down coat and legally inebriated, she had struggled to get into the dinghy, but was unable. Her body was found the next day, floating face down near the island; the dinghy washed up on shore not far away. Almost immediately, allegations of infidelity between Wood and their passenger, her "Brainstorm" (1983) co-star Christopher Walken, as well as allegations made in a tell-all biography by Wood's sister Lana Wood, led to Wagner disappearing from public view for several years. He was too devastated by his loss, as well as disgusted by the rampant speculation in the press regarding so-called sordid details of Wood's tragic death. When "Hart to Hart" ended its network run in 1983, Wagner was only too content to concentrate solely on raising his three daughters.

But Wagner's popularity did not allow him to stay away for too long. By 1985, he was appearing regularly in episodic series and TV movies, including the short-lived drama series, "Lime Street" (CBS, 1985), which was touched by tragedy when, only a few episodes in, Wagner's onscreen daughter, Samantha Smith, died in a plane crash, hastening the series' demise. He hosted "Saturday Night Live" (NBC, 1975- ) in 1989, and appeared in a string of popular "Hart to Hart" reunion TV movies between 1993-96. Wagner also took time from his newly busy schedule in 1990 to marry actress and long-time girlfriend, Jill St. John, with whom he appeared in many stage productions for charity. Still undeniably handsome as he reached his sixth decade, Wagner settled comfortably into the role of "old Hollywood pro," contributing numerous supporting turns in big budget films like "Wild Things" (1997), "Crazy in Alabama" (1999) and "Play It To The Bone" (1999). He even parodied his own smooth-as-silk image, starring as the diabolical but dense Number Two, henchman to Dr. Evil in "Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery" (1997), "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me" (1999), and briefly in "Austin Powers in Goldmember" (2002). In the latter film, Wagner shared the role with Rob Lowe, who played a younger version of Number Two and who offered a note-perfect imitation of Wagner's plummy voice and gentlemanly demeanor.

Wagner remained exceptionally busy for the next few years, appearing on countless television shows and providing his unique perspective on Hollywood for many show business documentaries. He also served as the host for the "Hour of Stars" (Fox Movie Channel, 2002- ), which showcased episodes from the TV anthology series "The 20th Century Fox Hour" (CBS, 1955-57), on which Wagner had once appeared. Long considered one of the most pleasant and friendly men in the entertainment business, Wagner showed an aggressive side in 2000, when he sued Aaron Spelling Productions for breach of contract over his participation in a failed revival of "Charlie's Angels" called "Angels 88." He filed suit again in 2003 for profits from the "Angels" theatrical features, but a California appeals court ruled against him in 2007. Back onscreen and staying contemporary for the kiddies, Wagner made memorable guest appearances on hit shows like "Las Vegas" (NBC, 2002-08), "Hope & Faith" (ABC, 2003-06) and "Boston Legal" (ABC, 2004-08). In 2011, the 81-year-old actor was brought back into the spotlight when the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department reopened Natalie Wood's drowning case, based on new information brought forward by various sources, including the Splendour captain, Dennis Davern, who alleged Wagner was in some way responsible for his wife's death. Investigators insisted Wagner was not a suspect. The actor released a statement that said, in part, that he and the Wagner family would cooperate with any new investigation, but hoped that certain people were not just cashing in on the 30th anniversary of Wood's death. The tumult died down, but recurred several years later in early 2018, when Wagner was unofficially noted as a person of interest in the police investigation of Wood's death.

Credits

Holy Conflict

Actor
Show
2020

The Switch

Actor
Lawyer
Movie
2020

The Boulevard

Host
Show
2018

Date My Dad

Actor
Reality
2017

What Happened to MondayStream

Actor
Movie
2017
59%

Kiss Kiss

Actor
Gibson
Movie
2017

Lend a Hand for Love

Narrator
Movie
2016

Thirty Nine

Actor
Father
Movie
2015

Bamboo

Actor
Show
2014

The Hungover Games

Actor
Liam
Movie
2014

NorthpoleStream

Actor
Santa
Movie
2014

Neon Girl in 1953

Actor
Officer Briggs
Movie
2014

The Queen Latifah Show

Guest
Talk
2013

Burt Bacharach's Best (My Music Presents)

Host
Show
2013

Cine Clásico

Actor
GI Paratrooper
Show
2013

Comedy of Errorz

Actor
Movie
2013

Home & Family

Guest
Talk
2012

Live! With Kelly and Michael

Guest
Talk
2012

Larry King NowStream

Guest
Talk
2012

LIVE with Kelly

Guest
Talk
2011

Happily DivorcedStream

Guest Star
Series
2011

Life's a Beach

Actor
Tom Wald
Movie
2011

The Talk

Guest
Talk
2010

Hot in ClevelandStream

Guest Star
Jim
Series
2010

The LeagueStream

Guest Star
Grandpa Duke
Series
2009
81%

Making the Boys

Self
Movie
2009

The Wild Stallion

Actor
Novak
Movie
2009

The Bonnie Hunt Show

Guest
Talk
2008

The Graham Norton ShowStream

Guest Star
Talk
2007

The Better Show

Guest
Show
2007

The Morning Show With Mike & Juliet

Guest
Show
2007

Man in the Chair

Actor
Taylor Moss
Movie
2007

A Dennis the Menace Christmas

Actor
Mr. George Wilson
Movie
2007

Netherbeast Incorporated

Actor
President James A. Garfield
Movie
2007

Hoot

Actor
Mayor
Movie
2006

Everyone's Hero

Voice
Mr. Robinson
Movie
2006

The Switch

Actor
Movie
2006

Category 7: The End of the WorldStream

Actor
Sen. Ryan Carr
Miniseries
2005

The Fallen Ones

Actor
Morton
Movie
2005

Boston LegalStream

Guest Star
Series
2004
86%

The Insider

Guest
Show
2004

Tavis Smiley

Guest
Talk
2004

El Padrino

Actor
Paul Fisch
Movie
2004

Bamboo

Actor
Movie
2004

The Retrievers

Actor
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2003

Hope & Faith

Guest Star
Show
2003

NCISStream

Guest Star
Anthony DiNozzo, Sr.
Series
2003

Las VegasStream

Guest Star
Series
2003

Two and a Half MenStream

Guest Star
Teddy Leopold
Series
2003
65%

On the Spot

Guest Star
Show
2003

Hollywood HomicideStream

Self
Movie
2003
30%

Mystery Woman

Actor
Jack Stenning
Movie
2003

Nancy & Frank: A Manhattan Love Story

Actor
Curtis Shermann
Movie
2002

The Calling

Actor
Amos Jenkins
Movie
2002

The Calling

Executive Producer
Movie
2002

Nancy-Frank: Una Historia de Amor en Manhattan

Actor
Curtis Sherman
Movie
2002

Austin Powers in GoldmemberStream

Actor
Number Two
Movie
2002
53%

Nancy y Frank: una Historia de Amor

Actor
Movie
2002

Live With Regis and Kelly

Guest
Show
2001

The Retrievers

Actor
Durham Haysworth
Movie
2001

Sol Goode

Actor
Sol's Dad
Movie
2001

Richard Widmark: Strength of Characters

Self
Show
2000

Rocket's Red Glare

Actor
Gus Baker
Movie
2000

Becoming Dick

Actor
Edward
Movie
2000

The Hustle

Actor
Felix Baumgartner
Movie
2000

The Early Show

Guest
Show
1999

FuturamaStream

Guest Voice
Himself
Series
1999

The Daily Show With Jon StewartStream

Guest
Talk
1999

Tiara Tango

Actor
Lyle Devereaux Green
Movie
1999

Fatal Error

Actor
Albert Teal
Movie
1999

Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged MeStream

Actor
Number Two
Movie
1999
53%

Crazy in Alabama

Actor
Harry Hall
Movie
1999

Play It to the Bone

Actor
Hank Goody
Movie
1999

No Vacancy

Actor
Mr. Tangerine
Movie
1999

Natalie Wood

Self
Show
1998

Wild ThingsStream

Actor
Tom Baxter
Movie
1998
64%

Something to Believe In

Actor
Brad
Movie
1998

The View

Guest
Talk
1997

Austin Powers: International Man of MysteryStream

Actor
Number Two
Movie
1997
73%

Overdrive

Actor
Freddie
Movie
1997

Hart to Hart: Harts in High Season

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1996

Hart to Hart: Till Death Do Us Hart

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1996

Hart to Hart: Secrets of the Hart

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1995

Hart to Hart: Two Harts in Three-Quarter Time

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1995

Hart to Hart: Two Harts in Three-Quarter Time

Executive Producer
Movie
1995

Extra

Guest
News
1994

Heaven and Hell: North and South, Book III

Actor
Cooper Main
Show
1994

Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1994

Hart to Hart: Home Is Where the Hart Is

Executive Producer
Movie
1994

Hart to Hart: Crimes of the Hart

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1994

Hart to Hart: Crimes of the Hart

Executive Producer
Movie
1994

Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1994

Hart to Hart: Old Friends Never Die

Executive Producer
Movie
1994

Parallel Lives

Actor
Sheriff
Movie
1994

Miscommunication: Hart to Hart

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1993

Dragon: The Bruce Lee StoryStream

Actor
Bill Krieger
Movie
1993
74%

Hart to Hart Returns

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1993

Hart to Hart Returns

Executive Producer
Movie
1993

Deep Trouble

Actor
Charles Madigan
Movie
1993

The Tonight Show With Jay Leno

Guest
Talk
1992

False Arrest

Actor
Ron Lukezic
Show
1991

Muerte Por Alquiler

Actor
Movie
1991

DeliriousStream

Actor
Jack Gates
Movie
1991
29%

Un Arma en Venta

Actor
Movie
1991

This Gun for Hire

Actor
Raven
Movie
1991

The Trials of Rosie O'NeillStream

Guest Star
Series
1990
78%

The SimpsonsStream

Guest Voice
Himself
Series
1989
85%

SeinfeldStream

Guest Star
Dr. Abbott
Series
1989
89%

Indiscreet

Actor
Philip Adams
Movie
1988

Mission danger à Bucarest

Actor
Movie
1988

Windmills of the Gods

Actor
Mike Slade
Movie
1988

Love Among Thieves

Actor
Mike Chambers
Movie
1987

There Must Be a Pony

Actor
Ben Nichols
Movie
1986

There Must Be a Pony

Executive Producer
Movie
1986

Lime Street

Actor
James Greyson Culver
Movie
1986

Lime Street

Actor
James Greyson Culver
Show
1985

Échec au roi

Actor
Movie
1984

To Catch a King

Actor
Joe Jackson
Movie
1983

I Am the Cheese

Actor
Dr. Brint
Movie
1983

Curse of the Pink Panther

Actor
Movie
1983

Curse of the Pink PantherStream

Actor
George
Movie
1983
29%

Trail of the Pink PantherStream

Actor
George Lytton
Movie
1982
23%

Hart to HartStream

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Series
1979

Hart to Hart

Actor
Jonathan Hart
Movie
1979

The Concorde: Airport '79

Actor
Dr. Kevin Harrison
Movie
1979

PearlStream

Actor
Capt. Cal Lankford
Miniseries
1978

The Critical List

Actor
Dr. Nick Sloan
Movie
1978

The Hardy Boys / Nancy Drew MysteriesStream

Guest Star
Series
1977

Death at Love House

Actor
Joel Gregory
Movie
1976

Midway

Actor
Lieutenant Commander Ernest L. Blake
Movie
1976

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

Actor
Brick
Movie
1976

Good Morning America

Guest
News
1975

Saturday Night LiveStream

Host
Series
1975

Switch

Actor
Pete T. Ryan
Show
1975

The Abduction of Saint Anne

Actor
Dave Hatcher
Movie
1975

Switch

Actor
Pete T. Ryan
Movie
1975

They've Kidnapped Anne Benedict

Actor
Dave Hatcher
Movie
1975

The Towering InfernoStream

Actor
Bigelow
Movie
1974
68%

The Affair

Actor
Marcus Simon
Movie
1973

Colditz

Actor
Show
1972

The Streets of San FranciscoStream

Guest Star
David J. Farr
Series
1972

The Streets of San Francisco

Actor
David J. Farr
Movie
1972

Crosscurrent

Actor
Howard McBride
Movie
1971

City Beneath the Sea

Actor
Brett
Movie
1971

Escape From Colditz

Actor
Flt. Lt. Phil Carrington
Movie
1971

Madame Sin

Actor
Anthony Lawrence
Movie
1971

Madame Sin

Executive Producer
Movie
1971

Killer by Night

Actor
Dr. Larry Ross
Movie
1971

The Man Who Killed a Ghost

Actor
Dave Corey
Movie
1971

The Cable Car Murder

Actor
Howard McBride
Movie
1971

Winning

Actor
Luther "Lou" Erding
Movie
1969

The Name of the Game

Actor
Series
1968

The Name of the Game

Guest Star
Series
1968

It Takes a Thief

Actor
Alexander Mundy
Series
1968

Don't Just Stand There

Actor
Lawrence Colby
Movie
1968

The Biggest Bundle of Them All

Actor
Harry Price
Movie
1968

How I Spent My Summer Vacation

Actor
Jack Washington
Movie
1967

Banning

Actor
Mike Banning
Movie
1967

Magnificent Thief

Actor
Alexander Mundy
Movie
1967

HarperStream

Actor
Allan Taggert
Movie
1966
95%

The Enemy on the Beach

Actor
Lieutenant Commander Nick Raino
Movie
1965

The Pink PantherStream

Actor
George Lytton
Movie
1963
89%

The Condemned of Altona

Actor
Werner von Gerlach
Movie
1963

The War Lover

Actor
1st Lt. Ed Bolland
Movie
1962

The Longest DayStream

Actor
U.S. Army Ranger
Movie
1962
87%

Sail a Crooked Ship

Actor
Gilbert Barrows
Movie
1962

All the Fine Young Cannibals

Actor
Chad Bixby
Movie
1960

Les Jeunes loups

Actor
Movie
1960

Le Temps de la peur

Actor
Movie
1959

Say One for Me

Actor
Tony Vincent
Movie
1959

Zorros del Espacio

Actor
Movie
1958

In Love and War

Actor
Frank "Frankie" O'Neill
Movie
1958

The HuntersStream

Actor
Lt. Ed Pell
Movie
1958

Stopover Tokyo

Actor
Mark Fannon
Movie
1957

The True Story of Jesse JamesStream

Actor
Jesse James
Movie
1957
88%

Between Heaven and HellStream

Actor
Sfc. Pvt. Sam Francis Gifford
Movie
1956

The Mountain

Actor
Christopher `'Chris'` Teller
Movie
1956

A Kiss Before Dying

Actor
Bud Corliss
Movie
1956

Gun in His Hand

Actor
Wade Connors
Movie
1956

Le Diable du Pacifique

Actor
Movie
1956

Hour of Stars

Actor
Show
1955

White Feather

Actor
Josh Tanner
Movie
1955

La Plume blanche

Actor
Movie
1955

Climax!Stream

Actor
Series
1954

Broken LanceStream

Actor
Joe Devereaux
Movie
1954
86%

Prince ValiantStream

Actor
Prince Valiant
Movie
1954

Bajo el Arrecife de las 12 Millas

Actor
Movie
1953

The Silver Whip

Actor
Jess Harker
Movie
1953

TitanicStream

Actor
Gifford Rogers.
Movie
1953
92%

Beneath the 12-Mile Reef

Actor
Tony Petrakis
Movie
1953

Tempête sous la mer

Actor
Movie
1953

Today

Guest
News
1952

Stars and Stripes Forever

Actor
Willie Little
Movie
1952

With a Song in My Heart

Actor
GI paratrooper
Movie
1952

What Price Glory?

Actor
Pvt. Lewisohn
Movie
1952

Let's Make It Legal

Actor
Jerry Denham
Movie
1951

The FrogmenStream

Actor
Lt. Franklin
Movie
1951

What's My Line?Stream

Guest
Game Show
1950

Halls of MontezumaStream

Actor
Coffman
Movie
1950
88%

News aboutRobert Wagner