In the early 80’s, Robert Hays seemed to have it all going for him.
He starred in the classic film AIRPLANE, was appearing on TV regularly, and was starring in feature films.
Yet, somehow, that success didn’t carry over into the following decades.
Like many actors, he began in TV, appearing in the 70’s in episodes of THE ROCKFORD FILES, MARCUS WELBY M.D., CANNON, LAVERNE AND SHIRLEY and WONDER WOMAN.
In 1979 he appeared opposite Donna Pescow in the sitcom ANGIE. Probably best known today for its theme song by Maureen McGovern, ANGIE ran for two seasons, and would air in reruns into the early 80’s.
Then came AIRPLANE. There really isn’t much I have to say about the film. It still stands as one of the funniest films ever made. Hays, as Ted Striker, was the perfect “everyman” sort of lead.
A few more films followed, the lead in TAKE THIS JOB AND SHOVE IT, SCANDALOUS, the TV movie THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF USHER, and then AIRPLANE II: THE SEQUEL. While not as successful as the original, it still was an entertaining film.
In 1983, he made the pre-Touchstone PG rated Disney film TRENCHCOAT with Margot Kidder, the TV version of MR. ROBERTS, the Stephen King film CAT’S EYE, and then in 1986 played the lead in the TV series of the John Carpenter film STARMAN. That lasted one season.
The beginning of the 90’s saw the start of the direct to video boom. It was probably good for actors, as there were many films to star in. But, it was bad for careers, as few of these lesser films were any good, and got much exposure outside of briefly appearing on the new release wall of Blockbuster.
Hays starred in plenty of these films, HOT CHOCOLATE with Bo Derek, FIFTY/FIFTY with Peter Weller and RAW JUSTICE with Pamela Anderson. There were a few studio films, like the HOMEWARD BOUND films. And, he was the voice of “Iron Man” in the IRON MAN and SPIDER MAN cartoon series.
But, he never had the mainstream success that he probably should have.
So, what ever happened to him?
Hays is still acting. His last major theatrical feature was a supporting role in the 2000 Robert Altman film DR. T AND THE WOMEN. He has recently starred in several independent films, but none that seem to have been released.
One message board listed a serious surfing accident in 2006, that he was able to recover from (I was unable to confirm this). But, there is very little about him.
There are however plenty of stories, especially on the IMDB, about people who worked with him, or met him, and what a nice guy he was. It is rare to read stories like this.
Maybe that is why his career didn't really take off. He was just too nice of a guy for Hollywood.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO: ROBERT HAYS
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9 comments:
I saw a taping of a pilot that Hays was the star of in the mid 90s. It was kinda funny but it never saw the light of day.
Don't forget the shortlived TV series Bette Midler did a few years back. It featured an actor playing her husband who had no chemistry with Bette. In a last ditch effort to spruce up the show they did a major rewrite and Robert Hays was suddenly Bette's husband. They had marvelous chemistry between them, but the show was already in the cancelled heap of that season.
OK-Here's something weird-for a short period of time, 1976-1980, the drama department from the community college of east San Diego county, Grossmont College, produced Robert Hays, David Leisure, Kathy Najimy, Gregg Barnes [Tony award winning costume designer] and several other WORKING actors featured on and off Broadway and in national tours-as well as award winning playwrights, etc... I'm trying to compile a complete list-will post here when I do...
Haha it's funny to come across this site. I'm Jake Hays, Robert Hays's son. Yeah the accident is true except it was a body surfing accident around Christmas and he broke his neck. The rehabilitation was painful and long but he made it through like a trooper. He'll be back soon enough, it just has to be the right time ;)
www.myspace.com/hays
I recall Robert Hays as super handsome, studly and very entertaining on TV and film. He seems like a great guy and a real class act. Hopefully, we will get to enjoy more of his work in future projects.
I stumbled across this site while looking up someone else with the last name of Hays. I actually knew and hung around with Bob during those Grossmont College days. There were a small bunch of us (most of them aspiring actors, but I was in the Navy - my cousin was one of the aspiring actors - and I just helped out with lighting) who hung out at the IHOP in El Cajon and also the Vaquero restaurant. We all drank a lot of coffee back in those days and worked on many, many scenes and comedy bits - sometimes much to the consternation of the other customers.
Bob was a great guy. We were both born in July of the same year and got along great. I was glad when I heard that he made it on TV in the Angie show. He was the most talented all of the Grossmont actors. I remember saying to my wife when I saw the premiere episode of Angie that I used to know an actor named Robert Hays who looked a lot like this actor on Angie. I wondered out loud if it was the same person. And, it was.
I wonder if Bob still has the VV bus? Glad to hear that he recovered from his serious accident. Again, he was a great guy - which is sometimes rare in a business full of over-inflated egos. I'm sorry that circumstances didn't allow us to keep in touch. We used to have many good laughs together.
Wayne Hickey
Eugene, Oregon
wjhickey@cts.com
If he suffered a serious surfing accident he must have recovered....He was a guest celebrity for a celebrity golf tournament here in Bellingham, WA. The proceeds benefited the Childrens Burn Recovery Program-Phoenix House. He is still very handsome and recognizable and seemed quite nice.
I just stumbled across my high school yearbook and realized that I graduated with Robert. As a matter of fact, he's the first person I ever tasted alcohol with. He was a great guy then and I'm glad to hear that he's a great guy still. He deserves all the best.
I've known Bob for 44 yrs. We met back in the good ole Grossmont College theatre dept days. There was a group of us all hanging out and hoping to make our mark someday (including our other very talented pal, David Leisure!)
Bob went on to get training and awards for his work at The Old Globe, then was able to break through into LA acting scene. We were so happy to hear of his success. He was, and still is, the most wonderfully kind and grounded person.
I remember when Bob and David decided to head to LA, around 1971. They said "come on Suzie, we're heading to LA" (I had just married and was just getting my stride into music fulltime, great paying music gigs with "steak and ale" chains in San Diego. So I stayed to "safely" make muaic, which I did for 20 years. No regrets really, BUT I sometimes wonder what if I had hopped in that ole VW van with my buddies and headed to LA in 1971? I would have been right there during the early and magical days of the Troubador etc. Ah well, we follow our paths "as intended" eh?
But I digress.
...Anyway, I've stayed in touch with Bob and David, as well as our College teacher, Clark Mires, though the years.
We were all so relieved to hear Bob had recovered beautifully from that very serious accident in Hawaii. He'd have to be great shape to recover so well.
I still believe there are many great roles ahead for Bob. I would love to see him do a dramatic role in a period piece with a brilliant director who understood Bob's full talent. That director would have a gold mine on his hands and the privilege to work with a good- hearted, talented, intelligent, hard-working individual. Amen.
(ps .. GREAT to read Bob's son- Jake's comment! Jake is a super guitar player I hear! In case you're reading this. HI JAKE! , My son Mike is a wonderful music1an now, too in the group The Smart Brothers. Did your dad warn you that once I start talking or typing I can't stop?? haa! ) Bye! :)
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