Robert Middleton, born Samuel G. Messer, was a renowned character actor, renowned for his versatility in portraying a wide range of villainous roles, including those of the most vicious and contemptible nature, yet, despite his on-screen persona, he was a jovial and affable individual who delighted in playing practical jokes on his loved ones.
Robert's academic pursuits took him to the University of Cincinnati and the Carnegie Institute of Technology, where he studied music, and it was during this time that he discovered his deep, melodious voice, which would later become a defining characteristic of his radio announcing career.
This early experience in radio broadcasting sparked Middleton's interest in acting, and he soon found himself making his Broadway debut in the early 1950s, appearing in the production of "Ondine".
Middleton's success on the stage led to a steady stream of film and television roles, cementing his reputation as a master of the evil and sinister. He played a sadistic killer in "The Desperate Hours" (1955),a grim and determined knight who engaged in a memorable jousting sequence with Danny Kaye in "The Court Jester" (1955),and a sinister politician in "The Lincoln Conspiracy" (1977).
Throughout his career, Middleton frequently portrayed brutish mountain daddies, corrupt town bosses, and lynch mob leaders, but he also demonstrated his ability to convey humor, as seen in his recurring role as Jackie Gleason's boss in "The Honeymooners" (1955) sketches.
Robert Middleton passed away at the age of 66 due to congestive heart failure in Hollywood, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile character actor.
