'Spenser' star Robert Urich dies from cancer at age 55

[tlspiegel -Closed]

Robert Urich landed his first major role, thanks to some help from Burt Reynolds. He starred as Reynolds' younger brother in a stage production of "The Rainmaker."

Associated Press
April 16, 2002 06:35:00

LOS ANGELES - Television tough guy Robert Urich, an Emmy-winning actor best known for his starring roles in sleuth series such as "Vega$" and "Spenser: For Hire," died Tuesday of cancer. He was 55.

Urich died at a hospital in Thousand Oaks surrounded by family members and friends, publicist Cindy Guagenti said.

Urich announced in 1996 that he was suffering from synovial cell sarcoma, a rare cancer that attacks the body's joints. He underwent chemotherapy, radiation treatments and two operations in the mid-1990s to combat the cancer.

He earned his first television role in the 1973 comedy series "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice." He also appeared in the TV series "S.W.A.T" before being cast as Peter Campbell in "Soap."

One of Urich's most recognizable roles came as private detective Dan Tanna in "Vega$," which ran on ABC from 1978 to 1981. His knack for solving crimes led to the starring role in another ABC detective series "Spenser: For Hire," which was based on Robert Parker's novels. That series aired from 1985 to 1988.

More recently, Urich appeared as a wanderer suffering from amnesia in "The Lazarus Man," as a cruise ship captain on "Love Boat: The Next Wave" and a wisecracking talent agent on the brief NBC sitcom "Emeril."

Urich sued Castle Rock Television, which produced "Lazarus Man," for nearly $1.5 million two years ago, claiming the show was canceled by the production company because he had cancer.

In July 1996, Urich told Castle Rock that he had cancer and would have to undergo treatment, but his lawsuit said he was able to perform under the agreement both parties signed. The breach of contract suit sought the amount, about $73,000 per episode, he would have received for the second season of "Lazarus Man."

Born in Toronto, Ohio, Urich won a football scholarship at Florida State University. He later earned a master's degree in broadcast research and management from Michigan State University.

Urich briefly worked in Chicago as a radio sales agent and a television meteorologist. Burt Reynolds helped Urich land his first major role, co-starring as his younger brother in a stage production of "The Rainmaker."

Urich appeared in several television miniseries and cable specials. He won an Emmy in 1992 for his narration of the cable documentary "U-Boats: Terror on Our Shores." That same year, he also won a Cable ACE award as host of the National Geographic series "On Assignment."

Other television credits include: "Crossroads," "Lonesome Dove," "Vital Signs" and "It Had to Be You."

Among his film credits are starring roles in "Turk 182!" with Timothy Hutton and "Ice Pirates" with Anjelica Houston.

After his bout with cancer, Urich became highly active in cancer research, with he and his wife establishing the Heather and Robert Urich Fund for Sarcoma Research to accelerate the pace of research into sarcoma. Earlier this year, Urich donated the proceeds from his appearance on the game show "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" to a fund at the University of Michigan, where he was treated for cancer.

"Charge forward with hope and get the best medical advice you can," Urich urged an audience during a public speaking engagement last year in Wisconsin. "Talk to your friends, neighbors, family, and together you attack it. We can't always control what happens to us, but we can always control how we react to it."

He is survived by his wife; three children, Allison, Ryan and Emily; two brothers; a sister; and his mother.

A memorial service was scheduled for Friday in Los Angeles.

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[mayfly]

oh that is so sad.

[miriama59]

I didn't hear this! Thanks for telling us. I used to watch Spenser all the time.

[freesurfer]

Another good man is gone! This does sadden me, I liked him very much!

[pooncat]

I heard this on the radio on my way back from town...bummer, I really liked him.

[eldo]

Thanks Toby Lee for the news. I'm saddened that he died at only 55 years old. He was on Regis' morning show a while back and looked very healthy, so I assumed he had licked his cancer. He seemed like a nice man and I enjoyed his work though the years.

[LocaChica]

I read about it earlier this morning. I thought he had beaten it, too.

[JVIGH]

another life lost to cancer, very sad. He was a good actor he was just on TV not long in Emerial the TV show on NBC but that was cancelled.

[Mouse7088]

Goodness, I didn't hear this either. I guess if I didn't come to DOD I would be a total twit to have a conversation with because I wouldn't have heard a lot of "current events" <-- mean no disrespect.
This is so sad. I don't watch a lot of TV, but I have seen Spenser for Hire and Vega$.

[NaomiMarie]

Hadn't heard that yet

[tlspiegel -Closed]

I was pretty much amazed because I also thought he'd beaten it. So sad. I really liked him.

[3tbear]

It's so sad, a great talent, and to leave this world at such a young age.

[snooze14]

Hear it first on DOD.... Thanks Toby Lee for informing me. I did not know of his passing. How sad.

[mama2calli]

I saw the news on Larry King last night, they were showing an old interview with him...even bald, he was still a sexy guy... I remember being a young teen and watching Vegas and just drooling over him... Kath

[plstraub]

Such a sad thing, losing to many lately.