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Robert Wolders

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Robert Wolders
Wolders in Laredo, October 1966
Born(1936-09-28)28 September 1936
Rotterdam, Netherlands
Died12 July 2018(2018-07-12) (aged 81)
Malibu, California, U.S.
Years active1965–1975
Spouse
​
​
(m. 1975; died 1979)​
Partner(s)Audrey Hepburn (1980–1993; her death)
Leslie Caron (1994-1995)
Shirlee Fonda (1995–2018; his death)

Robert Wolders (28 September 1936 – 12 July 2018)[1] was a Dutch television actor known for his role in the US television series Laredo and appearing in series such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Bewitched and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He was married to Merle Oberon, and was the longtime partner of Audrey Hepburn.

Career

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Wolders came to the USA in the early sixties to study psychodrama at Rochester University. At the advice of one of his professors he took up acting. After finishing university, he enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, expecting to return to Rochester University afterwards. Instead, he was offered an acting job by Universal.[2][3][4][5][6]

Typecast as a "Latin Lover" because of his good looks and exotic accent, Wolders started out appearing in TV series like Flipper and The John Forsythe Show. He signed a contract with Universal Pictures[7] that led to several film roles as well as landing the role of Erik Hunter in the second season of the TV series Laredo. He also had guest roles in other shows, including Daniel Boone, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Name of the Game, The F.B.I., Bewitched, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Wolders stopped acting shortly after marrying Merle Oberon in 1975.

Personal life

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Wolders and partner Audrey Hepburn talking with President Ronald Reagan in May 1981

Wolders met actress Merle Oberon while filming Interval in 1973. Oberon was married at the time, but after filming with Wolders she divorced her husband of sixteen years, Bruno Pagliai, and married Wolders in 1975. Wolders was 25 years younger than Oberon. They remained married until her death in 1979.[8]

In 1980, Wolders became the companion of Audrey Hepburn until her death in 1993.[9] From 1994 to 1995, he and actress-dancer Leslie Caron were a couple.[10]

In 1995, Wolders began a relationship with Henry Fonda's widow, Shirlee Fonda.[11][12][13]

Wolders died on 12 July 2018, at the age of 81.[7]

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
1965 Juliet of the Spirits Corpse at Susy's party Uncredited
1965 Flipper Captain Johnson Episode: "Flipper and the Spy"
1966 Run for Your Life Marcel Lambert Episode: "In Search of April"
1966 The John Forsythe Show Mishka Episode: "If I Were a Prince"
1966 Beau Geste Fouchet
1966–1967 Laredo Erik Hunter 26 episodes
1967 Tobruk Corporal Bruckner
1967 Daniel Boone Almaviva Episode: "The Beaumarchais"
1967 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. Andreas Petros Episode: "The Man from THRUSH Affair"
1968 The Name of the Game Dubrek Episode: "The White Birch"
1969 The F.B.I. Eric Linler Episode: "The Doll Courier"
1970 Dan August Gabe Redfern Episode: "Murder by Proxy"
1970 Kemek[14] Sebastian
1970 Bewitched Clark Episode: "The Corsican Cousins"
1971 Raid on Rommel German Pilot Uncredited
1973 Interval Chris
1974 Banacek Tommy Forrest Episode: "The Vanishing Chalice"
1974 The Mary Tyler Moore Show Paul Van Dillen Episode: "Not Just Another Pretty Face"
1974 McMillan & Wife Ilia Astrov Episode: "The Game of Survival"
1975 The Legendary Curse of the Hope Diamond[15] Hendrik TV movie, (final film role)

References

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  1. ^ Nickerson, Linda Ann (28 September 2008). "September 28: Today's Notable Birthdays". Yahoo!. Archived from the original on 29 July 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  2. ^ Parke, Henry C. (26 February 2012). "Henry's Western Round-up: LAREDO'S ROBERT WOLDERS REMEMBERS". Henry's Western Round-up. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  3. ^ de Waard, Peter (13 August 2018). "Robert Wolders (1938-2018): B-acteur die roem verwierf door relaties met Hollywood-diva's". de Volkskrant (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  4. ^ Barnes, Mike (15 July 2018). "Robert Wolders, Actor and Longtime Audrey Hepburn Companion, Dies at 81". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  5. ^ "ROBERT WOLDERS - BIO, FEITEN, GEZINSLEVEN VAN NEDERLANDSE ACTEUR - FILM- EN THEATERPERSOONLIJKHEDEN". nl.laurenzuniga.com (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  6. ^ Roodnat, Joyce (2 August 2018). "Partner van filmsterren zonder weerga". NRC (in Dutch). Retrieved 13 May 2024.
  7. ^ a b Bartlett, Rhett (15 July 2018). "Robert Wolders, Actor and Longtime Audrey Hepburn Companion, Dies at 81". The Hollywood Reporter.
  8. ^ Charles, John. "Merle Oberon: Biography". TCM.com. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  9. ^ Podolsky, J.D. (31 October 1994). "Life with Audrey". People. Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  10. ^ Fink, Mitchell (23 October 1995). "Fond Farewell". People. Archived from the original on 17 April 2014. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  11. ^ Fink, Mitchell (6 November 1995). "Double Blowout". People. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  12. ^ Archerd, Army (26 March 2002). "Ambassadors to hail Hepburn, UN statue". Variety. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  13. ^ Wawrychuk, Todd (12 June 2008). "An Academy Centennial Tribute to James Stewart". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  14. ^ "Kemek (1970)". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2015. Archived from the original on 10 June 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
  15. ^ "Legendary Curse of the Hope Diamond, The (1975)". TCM.com. Retrieved 15 November 2013.
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