Robert Webber

Biography

Robert Webber was a versatile character actor whose expansive career spanned over four decades in Hollywood. Renowned for his ability to take on a wide array of roles without being confined to one specific type, Webber occasionally stepped into leading roles, most notably in the film *Hysteria* (1965). His early beginnings were rooted in small stage productions and a handful of Broadway shows, complemented by a period of service in the army. He gained significant recognition for his portrayal of Juror 12 in Sidney Lumet's iconic film *12 Angry Men* (1957).

Webber was particularly memorable for his roles in various war films, including his performance as the general alongside Lee Marvin in *The Dirty Dozen* (1967) and as Admiral Frank J. Fletcher in *Midway* (1976). His filmography is peppered with notable titles such as *The Great White Hope* (1970), *Revenge of the Pink Panther* (1978), and *10* (1979), where he played the lyricist partner of composer Dudley Moore. Other significant works include *Private Benjamin* (1980), *Wild Geese II* (1985), and *Nuts* (1987), where he shared the screen with Richard Dreyfuss and Barbra Streisand. Webber passed away from Lou Gehrig's disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) in Malibu, California, in 1989, shortly after wrapping up the TV production *Something Is Out There* (1988). He was often noted for bearing a resemblance to fellow character actor Kevin McCarthy.