Robert Gunner, an American actor of considerable stature, both physically and professionally, is best known for his iconic role as Lieutenant John Landon in the 1968 science fiction film, Planet of the Apes.
Born in North Plainfield, New Jersey, Gunner stood tall at six feet one inch, with a robust build weighing in at 200 pounds. His path to show business was paved by his military service in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War, where he found himself participating in a weekly televised program broadcast from the Brooklyn Navy Yard.
Following his time in the military, Gunner honed his craft by studying with the renowned Sanford Meisner at the esteemed Neighbourhood Playhouse in New York. This training laid the foundation for his successful career as a professional model, which saw him embody the iconic roles of the 'Marlboro Man' in television commercials and magazine advertisements, as well as the 'Quiet Man' in Ford video commercials.
Prior to his breakout role in Planet of the Apes, Gunner had made a brief appearance in the 1967 film Caprice, playing a detective in a smaller but no less memorable role.
