Robert O. Cornthwaite was one of the most recognizable faces on early television and through the 80's. Born April 28th 1917, Robert O. died on July 20, 2006 at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.
Robert O. Cornthwaite is known for his roles in The Thing from Another World (which was remade by John Carpenter as "The Thing"), the original War of the Worlds film (which is one of the most expensive dvds to try and obtain), Whatever Happened to Baby Jane, and many other A List films as well as even more B Horror movies. Robert O moved to Hollywood after a falling out with my Great Grandfather and quickly gained success in the film, television and Stage Production industries.
Fans of the Adam West Batman television show, may remember Robert O from the two part episode "Walk the Straight and Narrow" and "Shoot a Crooked Arrow". In this 2 parter, Cornthwaite played Allan A. Dale who is one of the directors of the Wayne Foundation and a member of the Archer's Merry Men.
The cliff hanger for the episode which was the first episode of season 2:
DOTH THIS FOUL DEED SPELL FINIS FOR THE CAPED CRUSADERS?
WILLST THE DYNAMIC DUO ESCAPE TO FIGHT AGAIN THE VILLAINOUS SWINE WHO THREATEN HOME AND HEARTH?
TAKE HEART, CITIZENS. THE ANSWER TO THESE AND OTHER INQUIRIES TOMORROW!
SAME BAT-TIME! SAME BAT-CHANNEL...!
Wanting to see some of the movies my cousin played in, I tracked down a copy of the dvd "The Thing From Another World", which was pretty good for a B movie of the 1950's. I also made an attempt at tracking down the original War of the Worlds film on dvd but alas it was far to expensive (try $60 on dvd), but was able to find it on vhs for about $9. Below is a list of each of the films and television series he's played in which can also be found on IMDb.
The Naked Monster
Dr. Carrington
1996 The Pretender (TV series)
Mr. Hollis
– Flyer (1996) … Mr. Hollis
1995 Chicago Hope (TV series)
Harry Brunner
– Wild Cards (1995) … Harry Brunner
1995 White Dwarf (TV movie)
King Joist of the Dark Side
1992-1994 Picket Fences (TV series)
Howard Buss
– Howard's End (1994) … Howard Buss
– Frosted Flakes (1994) … Howard Buss
– My Left Shoe (1994) … Howard Buss
– Terms of Estrangement (1994) … Howard Buss
– Divine Recall (1994) … Howard Buss
See all 11 episodes »
1994 Dead Man's Revenge (TV movie)
Storekeeper
1992-1993 Cheers (TV series)
Hives
– Rebecca Gaines, Rebecca Loses (1993) … Hives
– Ill-Gotten Gaines (1992) … Hives
1993 Matinee
Dr. Flankon (uncredited)
1991 Frame Up
Earl Cott
1990 Equal Justice (TV series)
Abe Wooly
– Curses (1990) … Abe Wooly
1989 The Ed Begley Jr. Show (TV movie)
Judge Withers
1989 Time Trackers
Dr. Alistair Craig
1988-1989 Beauty and the Beast (TV series)
Morrison / Old Man
– Labyrinths (1989) … Old Man
– Down to a Sunless Sea (1988) … Morrison
1988 Perfect Strangers (TV series)
Bobo Sr.
– High Society (1988) … Bobo Sr.
1988 Dynasty (TV series)
Judge Edward P. Langdon
– Colorado Roulette (1988) … Judge Edward P. Langdon
– The Proposal (1988) … Judge Edward P. Langdon
– The Trial (1988) … Judge Edward P. Langdon
1987 Who's That Girl
Minister
1987 Cagney & Lacey (TV series)
Judge Timothy O'Grady
– Favors (1987) … Judge Timothy O'Grady
1985 Kate & Allie (TV series)
Dr. Edward Adams
– Picture of an Affair (1985) … Dr. Edward Adams
1984 Murder, She Wrote (TV series)
Coroner
– It's a Dog's Life (1984) … Coroner
1983 Deal of the Century
Huddleston
1983 Doctor Detroit
Professor Blount
1982 Father Murphy (TV series)
Warren Hays
– The Spy (1982) … Warren Hays
1982 The Day the Bubble Burst (TV movie)
1979 Beggarman, Thief (TV movie)
1979 Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (TV series)
Warwick
– Unchained Woman (1979) … Warwick
1979 Quincy M.E. (TV series)
Dr. Evans
– Hot Ice (1979) … Dr. Evans
1979 Love's Savage Fury (TV movie)
Dr. Tighe
1977 Laverne & Shirley (TV series)
Dr. Futoran
– Guinea Pigs (1977) … Dr. Futoran
1976 Futureworld
Mr. Reed
1976 Barbary Coast (TV series)
Reverend Wilcox
– Mary Had More Than a Little (1976) … Reverend Wilcox
1975 Ellery Queen (TV series)
Stephen Osterwald
– The Adventure of the Blunt Instrument (1975) … Stephen Osterwald (uncredited)
1974 Kolchak: The Night Stalker (TV series)
Dr. Hartfield
– The Energy Eater (1974) … Dr. Hartfield
1974 Lincoln (TV series)
Draper
– Crossing Fox River (1974) … Draper
1974 Kung Fu (TV series)
Bank Teller
– The Passion of Chen Yi (1974) … Bank Teller
1973 The Six Million Dollar Man (TV movie)
Dr. Ashburn
1973 The Devil's Daughter (TV movie)
Pastor Dixon
1972 The Longest Night (TV movie)
Frank Cavanaugh
1972 Journey Through Rosebud
Hearing officer
1972 Killer by Night (TV movie)
Dr. Bradville
1971 Two on a Bench (TV movie)
Mr. Hayes
1971 The Peace Killers
Ben
1971 Mayberry R.F.D. (TV series)
Minister / Reverend Keith
– Goober, the Elder (1971) … Minister
– The Kid from Hong Kong (1971) … Reverend Keith
1957-1971 Gunsmoke (TV series)
Clerk / Lou Staley
– Cleavus (1971) … Clerk
– Mavis McCloud (1957) … Lou Staley
1966-1971 The F.B.I. (TV series)
Adam Rogers / Creighton Atwood / Dr. Woolsey / …
– Center of Peril (1971) … Creighton Atwood
– The Flaw (1968) … Fielder
– The Price of Death (1966) … Dr. Woolsey
– The Defector: Part 1 (1966) … Adam Rogers
1970 The Young Lawyers (TV series)
Judge Green
– A Busload of Bishops (1970) … Judge Green
1969-1970 The Name of the Game (TV series)
Andrew Black / Phil Ott
– Little Bear Died Running (1970) … Phil Ott
– Breakout to a Fast Buck (1969) … Andrew Black
1970 Men at Law (TV series)
Judge
– Survivors Will Be Prosecuted (1970) … Judge
1970 Bonanza (TV series)
Blake
– What Are Pardners For? (1970) … Blake
1970 Colossus: The Forbin Project
First Scientist
1968-1970 Daniel Boone (TV series)
Governor Carleton / Sir Ives / Sir Ives Wallace
– The Landlords (1970) … Sir Ives
– The Traitor (1969) … Governor Carleton
– The Return of the Sidewinder (1968) … Sir Ives Wallace
1969 Land of the Giants (TV series)
Machine
– A Place Called Earth (1969) … Machine (voice) (uncredited)
1969 The High Chaparral (TV series)
Belding
– No Irish Need Apply (1969) … Belding
1968 Ironside (TV series)
Judson Trumbull
– Sergeant Mike (1968) … Judson Trumbull
1968 Lancer (TV series)
Homer Ord
– The Last Train for Charlie Poe (1968) … Homer Ord
1968 The Legend of Lylah Clare
Studio Photo Archivist (uncredited)
1967-1968 Garrison's Gorillas (TV series)
Bank Manager / Col. Brenheim
– The Big Lie (1968) … Col. Brenheim
– Banker's Hours (1967) … Bank Manager
1967 Dragnet 1967 (TV series)
Dr. Edgar Sundstrom
– The Pyramid Swindle (1967) … Dr. Edgar Sundstrom
1967 Gomer Pyle: USMC (TV series)
Markham
– The Prize Boat (1967) … Markham
1967 The Monkees (TV series)
Nyetovitch
– The Card Carrying Red Shoes (1967) … Nyetovitch
1967 Waterhole #3
Clerk (George)
1967 Insight (TV series)
– Madam (1967)
1967 Ride to Hangman's Tree
T.L. Harper
1966-1967 The Big Valley (TV series)
Luther Kirby / Marv Bayless
– The Lady from Mesa (1967) … Marv Bayless
– A Time to Kill (1966) … Luther Kirby
1967 Jericho (TV series)
– Jackal of Diamonds (1967)
1966 Iron Horse (TV series)
Dowell
– Big Deal (1966) … Dowell
1963-1966 The Virginian (TV series)
Judge / Reverend
– Ride to Delphi (1966) … Judge
– It Takes a Big Man (1963) … Reverend
1966 Batman (TV series)
Allan A. Dale
– Walk the Straight and Narrow (1966) … Allan A. Dale
– Shoot a Crooked Arrow (1966) … Allan A. Dale
1965-1966 Laredo (TV series)
Filmore Wills / Wilson Jones
– A Taste of Money (1966) … Filmore Wills
– Pride of the Rangers (1965) … Wilson Jones
1966 Gidget (TV series)
Brian Mack
– Don't Defrost the Alligator (1966) … Brian Mack
1965-1966 Dr. Kildare (TV series)
Dr. Max Gunther / Dr. Sisler
– The Taste of Crow (1966) … Dr. Max Gunther
– Behold the Great Man (1965) … Dr. Sisler
1966 The Farmer's Daughter (TV series)
– Lo, the Smart Indian (1966)
1966 The Ghost and Mr. Chicken
Lawyer Springer
1965 Death Valley Days (TV series)
Reverend Mr. Farr
– Canary Harris vs. the Almighty (1965) … Reverend Mr. Farr
1965 Get Smart (TV series)
Professor Windish
– Our Man in Leotards (1965) … Professor Windish
– Satan Place (1965) … Professor Windish
– KAOS in CONTROL (1965) … Professor Windish
1964-1965 Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea (TV series)
Gen. Reed Michaels / Zeigler
– The Deadliest Game (1965) … Gen. Reed Michaels
– Turn Back the Clock (1964) … Zeigler
1965 Burke's Law (TV series)
Dr. Waldo Bannister
– The Prisoners of Mr. Sin (1965) … Dr. Waldo Bannister
1965 The Munsters (TV series)
Mr. Parker
– Happy 100th Anniversary (1965) … Mr. Parker
1965 The Fugitive (TV series)
Pickett
– Conspiracy of Silence (1965) … Pickett
1965 Combat! (TV series)
Captain Priller
– The Steeple (1965) … Captain Priller
1965 Tom, Dick and Mary (TV series)
Tate
– Penicillin or Chicken Soup (1965) … Tate
1965 Diamond Jim: Skulduggery in Samantha (TV movie)
Enwright
1964 Mr. Novak (TV series)
Mr. Gentry
– 'A' Is for Anxiety (1964) … Mr. Gentry
1957-1964 Perry Mason (TV series)
Anders / Bill Worth / Carl Bruner / …
– The Case of a Place Called Midnight (1964) … Duval
– The Case of the Ancient Romeo (1962) … Carl Bruner
– The Case of the Wandering Widow (1960) … Bill Worth
– The Case of Paul Drake's Dilemma (1959) … Anders
– The Case of the Nervous Accomplice (1957) … Herbert Dean
1964 Channing (TV series)
Eric Northway
– A Bang and a Whimper (1964) … Eric Northway
1964 Destry (TV series)
Anthony Payne
– Stormy Is a Lady (1964) … Anthony Payne
1959-1964 Rawhide (TV series)
Laughton Wallace / Martin Gedwell / Ronald Smith
– Incident at Zebulon (1964) … Laughton Wallace
– The Long Count (1962) … Martin Gedwell
– Incident of the 13th Man (1959) … Ronald Smith
1962-1964 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV series)
Mr. Bleeker / The District Attorney
– Three Wives Too Many (1964) … Mr. Bleeker
– Day of Reckoning (1962) … The District Attorney
1961-1963 Wagon Train (TV series)
Byron Lowe / Dr. Wilson / Reverend
– The Fenton Canaby Story (1963) … Byron Lowe
– The Orly French Story (1962) … Dr. Wilson
– The Mark Miner Story (1961) … Reverend
1963 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV series)
– Seven Miles of Bad Road (1963)
1963 Kraft Mystery Theater (TV series)
Raynor
– Shadow of a Man (1963) … Raynor
1963 77 Sunset Strip (TV series)
Marvin Carmichael
– The Checkmate Caper (1963) … Marvin Carmichael
1963 The Andy Griffith Show (TV series)
Mr. Somerset
– Dogs, Dogs, Dogs (1963) … Mr. Somerset
1962-1963 Twilight Zone (TV series)
Director / Hanford
– No Time Like the Past (1963) … Hanford
– Showdown with Rance McGrew (1962) … Director
1963 Laramie (TV series)
Heron
– Naked Steel (1963) … Heron
1962 Hazel (TV series)
Mr. Perkins
– Hazel's Tax Deduction (1962) … Mr. Perkins
1962 What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
Dr. Shelby
1962 This Is the Life (TV series)
Charlot
– Laugh, Clown (1962) … Charlot
1962 The Wide Country (TV series)
Rev. Raymond Hill
– Journey Down a Dusty Road (1962) … Rev. Raymond Hill
1960-1962 Tales of Wells Fargo (TV series)
Anthony Boaz / Dodd
– Remember the Yazoo (1962) … Anthony Boaz
– The Journey (1960) … Dodd
1962 Adventures in Paradise (TV series)
Uncle Derwent
– The Secret Place (1962) … Uncle Derwent
1961 Surfside 6 (TV series)
Jason Street
– Pattern for a Frame (1961) … Jason Street
1955-1961 G.E. True Theater (TV series)
Dr. Nicholson / Frank Munson
– Money and the Minister (1961) … Frank Munson
– The Blond Dog (1955) … Dr. Nicholson
1961 Thriller (TV series)
Mr. Phillips / Mr. Spengler
– The Grim Reaper (1961) … Mr. Phillips
– The Devil's Ticket (1961) … Mr. Spengler
1961 The Untouchables (TV series)
Inspector Jim Goodrich / Mr. Wendell
– The Seventh Vote (1961) … Inspector Jim Goodrich
– Testimony of Evil (1961) … Mr. Wendell
1961 Lawman (TV series)
Edward Coughill
– The Grubstake (1961) … Edward Coughill
1961 The Roaring 20's (TV series)
Counselor
– The Red Carpet (1961) … Counselor
1961 All Hands on Deck
Naval Inspector (uncredited)
1961 Reptilicus
Man (voice) (uncredited)
1961 Hong Kong (TV series)
Fless
– The Hunted (1961) … Fless
1957-1961 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (TV series)
Senator Tom Benton / Tom Benson
– Texas John Slaughter: A Holster Full of Law (1961) … Tom Benson (uncredited)
– The Saga of Andy Burnett: Andy's First Chore (1957) … Senator Tom Benton
1960-1961 Maverick (TV series)
Honest John Crippen / Wembly
– Family Pride (1961) … Honest John Crippen
– Last Wire from Stop Gap (1960) … Wembly
1960 Coronado 9 (TV series)
Joseph Brand
– Stroll in the Park (1960) … Joseph Brand
1960 The Detectives (TV series)
Judd Winters
– The Retirement of Maria Muir (1960) … Judd Winters
1960 The Rifleman (TV series)
Major Damler
– The Deserter (1960) … Major Damler
1960 Johnny Midnight (TV series)
Kessler
– Mother's Boy (1960) … Kessler
1958-1959 Rescue 8 (TV series)
Professor Oliver Lawrence / Robert Stark
– The Birdman (1959) … Professor Oliver Lawrence
– Heat Wave (1959) … Robert Stark
– The Trap (1959)
– Danger! 20,000 Volts (1958)
1959 Men Into Space (TV series)
Reporter
– Moon Probe (1959) … Reporter
1959 Day of the Outlaw
Tommy Preston, Wyoming Hotel Owner
1959 Ten Seconds to Hell
Franz Loeffler
1957-1959 Zane Grey Theater (TV series)
John Scobie / Sheridan Wade
– Mission to Marathon (1959) … John Scobie
– Dangerous Orders (1957) … Sheridan Wade
1959 The Third Man (TV series)
Sacha
– The Indispensible Man (1959) … Sacha
1959 Yancy Derringer (TV series)
Mathew Brady
– Collector's Item (1959) … Mathew Brady
1959 The D.A.'s Man (TV series)
Christo
– The Witness (1959) … Christo
1959 Behind Closed Doors (TV series)
Andrews
– Crypto 40 (1959) … Andrews
1959 Man with a Camera (TV series)
Lt. Fields
– The Big Squeeze (1959) … Lt. Fields
1959 Destination Space (TV movie)
Senator Royce
1958 Trackdown (TV series)
Jerome Ballard / Jim Martin
– The Schoolteacher (1958) … Jim Martin
– Right of Way (1958) … Jerome Ballard
1957-1958 The Californians (TV series)
Brother Evans / Charles Girard / Dr. Henry Jameson
– A Girl Named Sam (1958) … Brother Evans
– The Man from Paris (1958) … Charles Girard
– Man from Boston (1957) … Dr. Henry Jameson
1958 The Thin Man (TV series)
Hartwick
– Robot Client (1958) … Hartwick
1958 The Power of the Resurrection
Caiaphas
1957 Suspicion (TV series)
Fitzgerald
– Doomsday (1957) … Fitzgerald
1957 Casey Jones (TV series)
Colonel Bullock
– Spurline to Danger (1957) … Colonel Bullock
1957 Hell on Devil's Island
Gov. Renault
1957 The Spirit of St. Louis
Harry Knight, Lindbergh Student (uncredited)
1957 Telephone Time (TV series)
– Bullet Lou Kirn (1957)
1956-1957 The Adventures of Jim Bowie (TV series)
John James Audubon
– Bayou Tontine (1957) … John James Audubon
– The Beggar of New Orleans (1957) … John James Audubon
– An Adventure with Audubon (1956) … John James Audubon
1957 Crossroads (TV series)
Sanki
– God of Kandikur (1957) … Sanki
1957 Wire Service (TV series)
– World of the Lonely (1957)
1957 State Trooper (TV series)
Gil Miller
– Rocking Chair Bandit (1957) … Gil Miller
1956 Broken Arrow (TV series)
Lieutenant Haskell
– Return from the Shadows (1956) … Lieutenant Haskell
1956 The Gale Storm Show: Oh, Susanna! (TV series)
Higgins
– Susanna Strikes Back (1956) … Higgins
1956 The Joseph Cotten Show: On Trial (TV series)
Ranier
– The De Santre Story (1956) … Ranier
1956 Jane Wyman Presents The Fireside Theatre (TV series)
Chris
– No More Tears (1956) … Chris
1956 The Leather Saint
Dr. Lomas
1955-1956 Crusader (TV series)
Joe Brennan / Stefan
– The Visitors (1956) … Joe Brennan
– One Way Train (1955) … Stefan
1956 The Ford Television Theatre (TV series)
Judge George Bates
– The Silent Strangers (1956) … Judge George Bates
1956 Lassie (TV series)
District Attorney
– The Trial (1956) … District Attorney
1956 Dr. Christian (TV series)
Belford
– Locked Memory (1956) … Belford
1954-1955 Schlitz Playhouse (TV series)
Dr. Cabot / Durand
– A Gift of Life (1955) … Dr. Cabot
– Who's the Blonde? (1955) … Durand
– The Black Mate (1954)
1955 Studio 57 (TV series)
Professor Henry Brand
– Win a Cigar (1955) … Professor Henry Brand
– Rainy Night (1955)
1955 Lux Video Theatre (TV series)
Egan
– The Creaking Gate (1955) … Egan
1955 The Purple Mask
Napoleon Bonaparte
1955 Kiss Me Deadly
FBI Agent
1955 The Millionaire (TV series)
Quentin Harwood
– The Quentin Harwood Story (1955) … Quentin Harwood
1955 The Star and the Story (TV series)
Guide
– A Matter of Courage (1955) … Guide
1955 Stranger on Horseback
Arnold Hammer
1955 Four Star Playhouse (TV series)
Henry Kennard
– A Kiss for Mr. Lincoln (1955) … Henry Kennard
1954 The Public Defender (TV series)
– The Man Who Couldn't Remember (1954)
1954 Day of Triumph
Simon the Zealot
1954 The George Burns and Gracie Allen Show (TV series)
Professor Como
– Gracie Buys Old Movies to Sell to Television (1954) … Professor Como
1953-1954 Cavalcade of America (TV series)
Kazta / Nast / Young Mark Twain
– Smyrna Incident (1954) … Kazta
– Riders of the Pony Express (1953) … Young Mark Twain
– The Tiger's Tail (1953) … Nast
– Sunset at Appomattox (1953)
– The Tenderfoot (1953)
1953 You Are There (TV series)
Andrei Vishinsky
– The First Moscow Purge Trials (August 24, 1936) (1953) … Andrei Vishinsky
1953 The War of the Worlds
Dr. Pryor (as Bob Cornthwaite)
1953 The Studebaker Story (short)
Frederick S. Fish
1952 Monkey Business
Dr. Zoldeck
1952 Something to Live For
Young Man (uncredited)
1951 His Kind of Woman
Hernandez (uncredited)
1951 Mark of the Renegade
Innkeeper
1951 The Thing from Another World
Dr. Arthur Carrington
1950 Gambling House
Stefan (uncredited)
1950 Union Station
You can find out more about Robert O. Cornthwaite on IMDb and Wikipedia.