Robert Preston Overview:

Legendary actor, Robert Preston, was born Robert Preston Meservey on Jun 8, 1918 in Newton Highlands, MA. Preston died at the age of 68 on Mar 21, 1987 in Montecito, CA and was cremated and his ashes scattered at sea.

MINI BIO:

Handsome, dark, often mustachioed, solidly-built American actor, much confused with Preston Foster in his earlier days, when he was with Paramount for 12 useful years without quite becoming a big star, getting the girl in B features, and losing her in As. He always looked about 35, and still did when he returned to films in triumph in the sixties after phenomenal musical success as star of Broadway's The Music Man. Married to actress Catherine Craig (Kay Feltus 1918-) from 1940. Died from lung cancer. Oscar nominee for Victor/Victoria.

(Source: available at Amazon Quinlan's Film Stars).

HONORS and AWARDS:

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Although Preston was nominated for one Oscar, he never won a competitive Academy Award.

Academy Awards

YearAwardFilm nameRoleResult
1982Best Supporting ActorVictor/Victoria (1982)ToddyNominated
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BlogHub Articles:

Robert Mitchum, Barbara Bel Geddes, and star in “Blood on the Moon”

By Stephen Reginald on Oct 7, 2025 From Classic Movie Man

Robert Mitchum, Barbara Bel Geddes, and star in “Blood on the Moon” A classic “noir Western,” Blood on the Moon (1948) is an American Western noir directed by Robert Wise and starring , Barbara Bel Geddes, and . The supporting c... Read full article


Veronica Lake, , and Alan Ladd in “This Gun for Hire”

By Stephen Reginald on Jul 16, 2025 From Classic Movie Man

Veronica Lake, , and Alan Ladd in “This Gun for Hire” Release date: May 13, 1942Director: Frank TuttleStory by: Graham Greene Adapted from: A Gun for SaleVeronica Lake and Alan LaddThis Gun For Hire, based on the novel by Graham Greene, was released in 1942, long ... Read full article


The Music Man (1962): 76 Trombones and

By 4 Star Film Fan on Jan 6, 2021 From 4 Star Films

In my youth, always struck me as a Hollywood superstar because he so lithely and unequivocally commands the center of this grand production. There is no movie without him, and he pretty much captures the imagination of the audience. As I’ve grown older, logged more movies, it al... Read full article


the Epic Oscar Snub of in "Victor Victoria"

By FlickChick on Feb 25, 2016 From A Person in the Dark

Entertainment-wise, there are just some things I can't see to get over. For example, Lucy and Desi's divorce. Growing up with Lucy and Ricky, I mean Desi, they seemed a lock to be in love forever. Ricky said "I Love Lucy," right? And we all knew Ricky and Desi were one. Until his death I ke... Read full article


Catherine Mary Stewart Talks with the Caf? About Her Cult Film Classics, Dernzies, and a Kiss from

By Rick29 on Jan 27, 2014 From Classic Film & TV Cafe

Since her film debut in 1980, Catherine Mary Stewart has thrived in film, television, and on stage. She starred in three bona fide cult classics from the 1980s: Night of the Comet, The Last Starfighter, and Weekend at Bernie's. She has guest starred in television series such as White Collar, Knight ... Read full article


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Robert Preston Quotes:

James Cloud: Well come on Boyce, Did I kill Kid Amador or not?
Earl Boyce: Why?... Can't you remember?
James Cloud: It escapes me.


Marcellus Washburn: I heard you was in steam automobiles.
Harold Hill: I was.
Marcellus Washburn: What happened?
Harold Hill: Somebody actually *invented* one-!


Pvt. Aloysius K. 'Smacksie' Randall: The dumber those guys get, the more stripes you get.
Pvt. Joe Doyle: You oughta look like a zebra.


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Best Supporting Actor Oscar 1982





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Robert Preston Facts
Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume Two, 1986-1990, pages 708-709. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1999.

The name of his character in the movie, Mame, Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside is taken from the names of four Civil War generals - Pierre Goustave Toutant Beauregard, Thomas Jonathan "Stonewall" Jackson, and George Pickett (Confederate), and Ambrose Burnside (Union).

Cousin of Emmerson Denney, Producer/Personal Manager.

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