Robert Sterling

Biography

Robert Sterling, born William Sterling Hart (November 13, 1917 – May 30, 2006) was an American film and television actor. The son of baseball player and umpire Bill Hart, he was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and worked as a clothing salesman before pursuing an acting career. After signing with Columbia Pictures in 1939, he changed his name to Robert Sterling to avoid confusion with silent western star William S. Hart. In 1941, Sterling went to MGM. He worked steadily as a supporting player for several years. After serving in World War II as an Army Air Force flight instructor, he returned to Hollywood, but by the end of the decade, his film career had faltered. He did, however, play the non-singing role of Steve Baker, opposite Ava Gardner as Julie, in the hit MGM 1951 film version of Show Boat. Sterling later revived his acting career on the small screen with numerous appearances on Television.

Known For

Mr. Smith Goes to Washington

as Senate Reporter (uncredited)

The Twilight Zone

as Douglas Winter

Murder, She Wrote

as Ben Shipley

Only Angels Have Wings

as Bit Role

Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea

as Captain Lee Crane

Simon & Simon

Show Boat

as Steven Baker

Blood Car

as Couple in horror

The Alfred Hitchcock Hour

as Ray Roscoe

The Man They Could Not Hang

as First Reporter (uncredited)