Robert Donner's Main TV Roles Show Character(s) Mork & Mindy Exidor The Young Pioneers Mr. Peters The Family Holvak Jimmy John Code R Bo Plummer

Main Movie Roles

BIOGRAPHY:

Robert Donner (April 27, 1931 – June 8, 2006) was an American television and film actor.

Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, Michigan, and Texas. After Donner graduated from high school he spent 4 years in the United States Navy. After he left the Navy he stayed on the West Coast and worked as a shipping clerk, salesman, bartender, commercial artist, gardener, and insurance investigator.

Donner attended San Fernando Valley State College (now California State University, Northridge), at nights taking courses in Art History, Psychology and speech. During this time, Donner lived in Studio City and became friends with actor 'Clint Eastwood' who lived in his apartment building. Eastwood urged Donner to study drama, telling him he was humorous and had a good face.

Donner's first role was an uncredited part in the 1959 'John Wayne' Western ~ Rio Bravo; he also appeared in the sequels (which formed a loose trilogy), El Dorado and Rio Lobo. He also appeared in Chisum, The Undefeated, and The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance. His best-known television roles were as the ex-convict/informant "T.J." on Adam-12 and as "Exidor" on Mork & Mindy.

When Donner was not acting he was active in athletics, and was known as one of Hollywood's most enthusiastic golfers. He was a member of the former "Hollywood Hackers" and carried a seven handicap and was the leader of a group of entertainment industry professionals known as Don Porter's Thursday Golf Group as well as joining others at many of the Celebrity Golf Tournaments who raise money for various charities around the world.

Donner also played in many tennis tournaments and was frequently called upon during "Celebrity Nights" in which he performed stand-up comedy and promised not to sing. His reputation in this area also led him to become known as one of Hollywood's "in demand" Corporate Speakers.

Donner married producer/writer Jill Sherman Donner in 1982. Donner died (June 8, 2006) of a cardiac arrhythmia, and is survived by his wife Jill and two brothers.


TRIVIA:

• Married to producer/writer 'Jill Donner' (qv), aka Jill Sherman Donner.