Robert Trout Prescott was born on May 17, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan, to John Sherwin Prescott Jr., a management professional who worked at various large city newspapers, and Robin Balch Prescott, a doctor of speech and audiology who taught and conducted groundbreaking research in the field of cued speech.
Growing up, Prescott changed schools frequently from kindergarten to twelfth grade. He later attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he earned a degree in English. After completing his degree, he moved to New York City and pursued his passion for acting at the Bill Esper Studio, studying under the guidance of Joanne Baron. He continued his training at the Joanne Baron Studio.
In 1984, Prescott was cast in the film "Joy of Sex," directed by Martha Coolidge, which marked his first journey to Los Angeles. He spent the next decade in Los Angeles, appearing in films, television pilots, and guest spots, as well as being a founding member of the JamCenter and Whitefire Theatre.
However, Prescott grew dissatisfied with his life in Los Angeles and decided to return to New York City, taking a step back from the entertainment industry. He went on to teach and coach basketball at Martin Luther King High School in Manhattan, tended bar in the Lower East Side, and worked on construction projects at Ground Zero in the aftermath of 9/11.
Over time, Prescott resumed his acting career, taking on roles in television episodes shot in New York City, including "The Sopranos," "Damages," "Blue Bloods," "Trinity," "Deadline," "Third Watch," "New York Undercover," "C.P.W.," and "Law & Order." He also appeared in numerous commercials and acted in regional and New York City theater productions.
In addition to his television and stage work, Prescott has appeared in several New York City area films, including "Gun Hill Road," "The Bourne Legacy," "Cold Comes the Night," "Burn After Reading," and "Michael Clayton," in which he attempted to explode George Clooney.
