Bob Livingston's paternal lineage was rooted in the esteemed profession of newspaper editing, with his father serving as a respected editor in Quincy, Illinois. As a young journalist, Livingston himself carved out a reputation as a reporter for the Los Angeles Daily News, where he penned a captivating article about the Pasadena Playhouse, thereby igniting a spark within him that would eventually lead to a lifelong passion for acting. During his mid-twenties, he began landing bit parts at Universal and Fox studios, gradually transitioning to more substantial romantic roles with MGM. However, it was his breakout performance as a masked hero in the 1936 serial, The Vigilantes Are Coming, that marked the beginning of his ascent to stardom.
This auspicious start led to a plethora of cowboy roles, including the lead in the popular "Three Mesquiteer" series, in which he made a record-breaking 29 appearances, surpassing his peers. Livingston's versatility as an actor also saw him don the iconic mantle of Zorro in The Bold Caballero (1936),collaborate with Al St. John in the "Lone Rider" Series (1941-43),and eventually conclude his career with a succession of character parts in films featuring Gene Autry and Roy Rogers.