Richard Rober

Richard Steven Rauber (May 14, 1906 – May 26, 1952), stage name Richard Rober, was an American stage and film actor. From the mid-1930s to the mid-1940s he featured in numerous theatre productions, including being part of the original cast of Born Yesterday in Chicago, and the long-running Oklahoma!. In 1947 he moved to Hollywood and appeared in dozens of B-movies and film noir-type films, including Call Northside 777 (1948), Sierra (1950), and The Well (1951). He died in an automobile accident in 1952 at the age of 46.

Richard Rober
Born
Richard Steven Rauber

(1906-05-14)May 14, 1906
Rochester, New York, U.S.
DiedMay 26, 1952(1952-05-26) (aged 46)
Santa Monica, California, U.S.
OccupationStage and screen actor
Years active1936-1952

Early life and family

Richard Steven Rauber was born in Rochester, New York, on May 14, 1906.[1] He was the son of Fred S. Rauber, an attorney.[2]

Career

Rober began his career as a stage actor in the mid-1930s under his real name, Richard Rauber. Penniless and looking for work after his graduation from the University of Rochester, he landed a small part in a play by the Lyceum Players starring Louis Calhern.[3] He went on to act with nearly every repertory theatre company on the East Coast.[3] He was part of the original Chicago company of Born Yesterday.[2][4] He also performed in the long-running Oklahoma!.[5]

In 1947,[1] Rober embarked on a career in Hollywood, appearing in his first film role in Call Northside 777 (1948). He appeared in many B-movies—including Sierra (1950)—and film noir drama films such as The File on Thelma Jordon (1950) and The Well (1951). In July 1951 it was reported that he had appeared in 26 films in his 3 1/2 years in Hollywood.[3]

While Rober mostly played supporting roles, his career began to go on the ascendancy before his death in 1952. He had a starring role in The Well (1951), and had traveled to Austria to play the lead in the MGM production The Devil Makes Three (1952).[2] The week before his death, he played the lead in Corny Johnson, a television film produced by Bing Crosby Enterprises.[2]

Personal life

Rober was married twice.[6] His second marriage, at age 40, was to Mary Hay Barthelmess, age 23, daughter of actors Richard Barthelmess and Mary Hay, in New York in January 1946.[6][7] They later divorced.

Death

Rober died after crashing his car in the San Fernando Valley on May 26, 1952.[2] He had been driving with a passenger, actress Norma Britton. The car swerved off the highway in heavy fog and plummeted over a 75 ft (23 m) embankment.[2][8] Rescuers took the pair to Santa Monica Hospital, where Rober died a few hours later. Britton survived with rib injuries.[2]

Rober was eulogized in Rochester and buried in the Holy Sepulchre Cemetery there.[1][2]

Filmography
YearTitleRoleNotes
1936Sheik to SheikAli Bin Whoopsie, the Mad SheikShort (credited as Richard Rauber)
1948Call Northside 777Sgt. Larson in Records DepartmentUncredited
April ShowersAl Wilson
Embraceable YouSig Ketch
LarcenyMax
Smart Girls Don't TalkLt. McReady
1949Illegal EntryDutch Lempo
Any Number Can PlayLew 'Angie' Debretti
Task ForceJack Southern
I Married a CommunistJim Travers
Port of New YorkJim Flannery
1950The File on Thelma JordonTony Laredo
BackfireSolly Blayne
SierraBig Matt Rango
DeportedBernardo Gervaso
Dial 1119Police Capt. Henry KeiverAlso known as The Violent Hour in the UK
Watch the BirdieMr. Hugh Shanway
1951Father's Little DividendPolice Sergeant
Passage WestMikeAlso known as High Venture in the UK
The Tall TargetLt. Coulter
The WellSheriff Ben Kellogg
Man in the SaddleFay Dutcher
1952Outlaw WomenWoody Callaway
Kid Monk BaroniFather Callahan
O. Henry's Full HouseChief of Detectives(segment "The Clarion Call")
The Rose Bowl StoryCoach James Hadley
The SavageCapt. Arnold Vaugant
The Devil Makes ThreeColonel James Terry
1957Jet PilotFBI Agent George RiversDelayed release, final film role

Stage credits
Year Title Role Notes
1936 Murder in the Old Red Barn William Corder
1938 Richard II Lord Ross
The Man from Cairo Janos
1941-2 Banjo Eyes Harry the Bartender
1942-3 Star and Garter Narrator, District Attorney, Doctor
1943-8 Oklahoma!
1944 Ramshackle Inn Dr. Russell
1946 Born Yesterday

Sources: [5][9][10]

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References
  1. Wilson 2016, p. 634.
  2. "Funeral of Richard Rauber, Actor, Arranged Here Monday". Democrat and Chronicle. May 30, 1952. p. 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Fogelberg, Burt (July 20, 1951). "Veteran Paramount Actor Doesn't Like The Long Hair". Rapid City Journal. p. 3 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Blum 1951, p. 242.
  5. "Richard Rober". Internet Broadway Database. 2020. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  6. Associated Press (January 21, 1946). "Richard Rober Weds". Calgary Herald. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Hopper, Hedda (January 20, 1946). "Barthelmess Wedding Set". Los Angeles Times. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "ACTOR DIES IN CRASH; Richard Rober Killed in Car Plunge -- Actress Injured". The New York Times. May 27, 1952. Retrieved February 18, 2020.
  9. Dietz 2010, p. 302.
  10. Mantle 1938, pp. 368, 444.

Sources
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