Robert Foulk, a talented American character actor, made a lasting impact on the film and television industry during the 1950s and 1960s. Born on May 5, 1908, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Miller Foulk, a railroad agent, and Alice Casselberry, Foulk's early life was marked by a passion for the performing arts.
Foulk's academic pursuits led him to the University of Pennsylvania, where he initially studied architecture. However, his true calling lay in the world of theatre, and by the age of 23, he had made his Broadway debut in the 1931 production of "As Husbands Go." He reprised the role two years later and went on to work behind the scenes, helping to cast road companies of Broadway hits and assisting press agents.
Foulk's association with legendary director-producer-actor George Abbott proved to be a pivotal moment in his career. He worked with Abbott on a string of Broadway hits, including "Boy Meets Girl," "Brother Rat," and "Room Service," where he understudied the role of Eddie Albert.
An encounter with Bette Davis led to Foulk's hiring by Warner Bros. as a dialog director, and he soon found himself working on a number of films, including "The Sea Hawk" (1940) and "The Maltese Falcon" (1941). In 1939, Foulk made the move to Hollywood, where he continued to work as a dialog director on various projects.
Foulk's military service began in 1942, when he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Forces. He was assigned to the First Motion Picture Unit in Culver City, California, where he worked on training films. Discharged in 1946, Foulk returned to the film industry, working as a dialog director for Cecil B. DeMille on "Unconquered" (1947).
Foulk's film debut in "Road House" (1948) marked the beginning of a long and prolific career in Hollywood. He quickly became a familiar face on the big screen, playing a wide range of roles, from police officers and Western sheriffs to thugs and comedic characters. His ability to convey a sense of everyman likability and his knack for playing characters of limited intelligence made him a sought-after actor.
In addition to his film work, Foulk had a successful television career, with recurring roles on popular series such as "Lassie" (1954),"Bonanza" (1959),"The Rifleman" (1958),"Father Knows Best" (1954),and "Tombstone Territory" (1957).
Despite his success in Hollywood, Foulk remained committed to his avocation as an architect. He designed houses, including one for playwright Sam Spewack, and continued to work in local theatre in and around Los Angeles.
Foulk's personal life was marked by two marriages. His first marriage, to actress Alice Frost, was brief and ended in 1933. In 1947, he married actress Barbara Slater, with whom he had a daughter, June Landis Foulk, born on July 20, 1948.
Robert Foulk passed away on February 25, 1989, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and versatile actor who made a lasting impact on the world of entertainment.
