Mandy Moore
American singer and actress
Robert Urich was a prolific American actor who starred in over 15 TV series during his 30-year career. He gained fame for his roles in shows like S.W.A.T., Vega$, and Spenser: For Hire, and also appeared in several feature films. Despite being diagnosed with a rare cancer in 1996, Urich continued acting and working to raise money for cancer research until his passing in 2002 at the age of 55.
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About the Robert Urich
Robert Michael Urichwas an American film, television, and stage actor and television producer. Over the course of his 30-year career, he starred in a record 15 television series.
Urich began his career in television in the early 1970s. After guest stints and roles in short-lived television series, he won a co-starring role in the action/crime drama series S.W.A.T. in 1975. In 1978, he landed the lead role of Dan Tanna in the crime drama series Vega$, which aired on ABC from 1978 to June 1981 and earned him two Golden Globe Award nominations. In addition to his work in television, Urich also co starred in several feature films, including Magnum Forceand Turk 182 (1985). From 1985 to 1988, he portrayed the title role in the detective television series Spenser: For Hire, based on Robert B. Parker’s series of mystery novels. In 1988, he began hosting the documentary series National Geographic Explorer. He won a CableACE Award for his work on the series. He was also awarded a Golden Boot Award for his work in Western television series and films.
In 1993, he won an Emmy for narrating a nature documentary. He revealed on The Late Show with David Letterman that he never knew about his nomination and win. It was sent by FedEx to his home.
In 1996, Urich starred in The Lazarus Man. It was canceled shortly after he announced that he had been diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare cancer, in July that year. He sought treatment for his illness while continuing his career and also worked to raise money for cancer research. He was declared cancer free in 1998 and returned to television in the UPN series Love Boat: The Next Wave. In 2000, he made his Broadway debut as Billy Flynn in the musical Chicago. His last role was in the NBC sitcom Emeril in 2001, but in the autumn of that year his cancer returned and he died in April 2002 at age 55.
Frequently Asked Questions
Over the course of his 30-year career, Robert Urich starred in a record 15 television series.
Robert Urich is best known for his lead role as Dan Tanna in the crime drama series Vega$, which aired on ABC from 1978 to 1981.
In 1996, Robert Urich was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma, a rare form of cancer.
Despite his cancer diagnosis in 1996, Robert Urich continued his acting career and worked to raise money for cancer research. He was declared cancer-free in 1998.
Robert Urich’s last role was in the NBC sitcom Emeril in 2001, but his cancer returned later that year and he passed away in April 2002 at the age of 55.
Robert Urich received two Golden Globe Award nominations for his lead role in the TV series Vega$, and he won an Emmy for narrating a nature documentary.
Urich revealed on The Late Show with David Letterman that he never knew about his Emmy nomination and win, as the award was sent by FedEx to his home.
8 Quotes by Robert Urich
- 1.
I’ve cheated myself: there are other things I could have done to fill out the bouquet of my career.
Robert Urichactor (1946-2002)
- 2.
A healthy outside starts from the inside.
Robert Urichactor (1946-2002)
- 3.
I know it sounds hokey but I think, ultimately, on television you can’t hide who you are.
Robert Urichactor (1946-2002)
- 4.
There was an inquiry just last week about the new Bette Midler show, and I just didn’t want to do that.
Robert Urichactor (1946-2002)
- 5.
I’m not ready for another series. I have fun doing other kinds of things.
Robert Urichactor (1946-2002)
- 6.
While there’s time left, I want to do different kinds of things.
Robert Urichactor (1946-2002)
- 7.
Series work is just grueling.
Robert Urichactor (1946-2002)
- 8.
Charge forward with hope and get the best medical advice you can. Talk to your friends, neighbors, family, and together you attack it. We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we react to it.
Robert Urichactor (1946-2002)