Robert Donner - The Actor


     Robert Donner was born April 27, 1931 in New York. His early life was spent in
New Jersey, Michigan and Texas before he joined the Navy. He served for four years,
then settled in California. While working days he studied nights at California State
University. By coincidence, Clint Eastwood lived in the same apartment and persuaded
him to go into acting.
    His first role was in Rio Bravo, a 1959 Western starring John Wayne. This led to roles
in another five Wayne Westerns. While having acted in in more than twenty films, he is best
known for over one hundred television appearances. Most famous are his roles as 'Exidor'
in Mork and Mindy (1978-1982) and as 'Yancy Tucker' in The Waltons (1972-1979),
having also appeared in McGyver, Rawhide and Bonanza.
    Donner continued to act until 2000, and now spends his time participating in celebrity
golf and tennis events.