May 15, 2003
DO YOU KNOW WHAT IT'S LIKE TO FALL IN THE MUD AND GET KICKED IN THE HEAD BY AN IRON BOOT? OF COURSE NOT. NOBODY DOES.
The roll's been called up yonder and actor Robert Stack's name was at the top. The venerable actor died at age 84 today.
Although best known for his work on "The Untouchables" TV series, Stack rejuvenated his career by playing the tough-as-nails Capt. Rex Kramer in the 1980 comedy "Airplane!"
He also was worth 16 points in the Reaper's Delight dead pool.
Here are a few links about Stack and his career:
Lifetime Chat With Robert Stack
This online chat with Stack offers some charming banter, including his answer when someone asks whether he has any grandchildren. His reply: "No, unfortunately, my darling daughter's marriage didn't work, and I don't have any little weenies around the house."
Internet Movie Database: Robert Stack
The amount of work he did during his life is amazing, although he probably regrets his last major role as The Gooch in the stoner flick "Killer Bud." "Killer Bud" has the distinction of containing two cast members from noteworthy Fox sitcoms. It’s also from the writing team that brought us "Saving Silverman."
The Untouchables
Based on the 1947 novel by Eliot Ness and Oscar Fraley, The Untouchables was the first dramatic series created at Desilu Productions, the studio owned by Desi Arnaz and Lucille Ball. With Stack playing Ness in the lead role, the show ran on ABC from 1959-63. A side not: critics complained that it depicted "excessive and senseless violence."