Robert Burton, a military offspring, was born in Frankfurt, Germany, a city steeped in history and culture. His parents, Robert Bentley Burton and Mary Klotz Burton, were instrumental in shaping his early life. Following his father's military assignment abroad, the family relocated to the United States, ultimately settling in the sun-kissed state of California. As a young man, Robert attended the prestigious Ryan Preparatory College in Fresno, California, where he pursued a path to becoming a Roman Catholic priest. However, his mother's involvement with the California First Theater company in Monterey, California, inspired him to explore his passion for acting. After completing high school, Robert continued his education at the University of Santa Clara, graduating with a degree in Economics in 1968. During this period, in 1966, he made his television debut in a commercial featuring the legendary baseball player Joe DiMaggio, at the iconic Presidio in San Francisco.
Later in life, Robert tied the knot with actress Karen Black in 1973. In 1974, he landed a significant role in the feature film "Trilogy of Terror," which has since become a cult classic. Initially, Karen declined the lead role, which was that of a college English teacher. However, after negotiations, it was agreed that Robert would have a substantial role in one of the film's three segments. In the movie, Robert portrayed a college student obsessed with his English teacher, a role that would ultimately prove to be a memorable one. Unfortunately, Robert and Karen divorced before the film's release in March 1975, bringing an end to their marriage.
