Robert Stack Net Worth

Robert Stack's Quotes

• If you're a star, you go through the front door carrying the roses, instead of through the back door carrying the garbage.
• As a matter of national survival, we need to do the best we can to sponsor the good guys and to do something active about bringing down the bad guys.
• I think there's a definite carry-over from Eliot Ness. Somebody once said, "You really think you're Eliot Ness." No, I don't think I'm Ness, but I sure as hell know I'm not Al Capone.
• It's not what you are in Hollywood - it's what people think you are.
• Well, I come from a military family. Whether it's the country or city, I never liked the bad guy. I never put my arms around John Gotti, Al Capone or Lucky Luciano. For me, very simply they were the bad guys. And when I did The Untouchables (1959), I told them going in, "If you try apologizing for any of these crumb bums, get someone else to play the part.".

Interesting Facts about Robert Stack

1. Served as a gunnery officer in the United States Navy for more than three years during World War II.
2. His maternal grandfather Modini was not really of Italian descent but had changed his surname to further his career as an opera singer.
3. His ancestors were among the first to settle in California.
4. He met the real-life Mrs. Eliot Ness when his biography was presented on This Is Your Life (1950) in 1960. He was clearly touched at her praise of his portrayal of her late husband.
5. Had been diagnosed with prostate cancer the year before his death.
6. World War II veteran who was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle Ribbon and Expert Pistol Ribbon.
7. Although he had nothing against comedy (he appeared in several comedies), Stack declared he would not take part in any satire or parody of Eliot Ness, the iconic character with whom he was most associated. However, Stack's voice role in Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996) came close.
8. As a child, his mother introduced him to movie stars like Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy so they could act as surrogate father figures to him. They often took him hunting and fishing.
9. Before he was cast as Eliot Ness on The Untouchables (1959), Van Johnson and Van Heflin were considered for the role.
10. In 1937, aged 18, he was the United States 20-gauge champion skeet marksman, and held the record for more than 350 consecutive hits.
11. Portrayed General Joseph W. Stilwell in 1941 (1979), John Paul Jones in John Paul Jones (1959), and Eliot Ness on The Untouchables (1959), three real-life figures from American history.
12. Initially thought the television series The Untouchables (1959) would not work and only took this just to prove his point. Instead, the series became a success, and lasted four years.
13. In October 1940, he escorted Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer actress Laraine Day to her 20th birthday party at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
14. Was friends with Ronald Reagan, and made monetary contributions to Reagan's presidential campaigns.
15. Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 524-526. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.
16. By late December 1955, it was announced that Stack was to star in Het salvo der dapperen (1956) but eventually the role was played by Robert Ryan.
17. Son of James Langford Stack and Betzi Stack. Father of Charles Stack and actress Elizabeth Stack. Ex-brother-in-law of Wanda Hendrix. Great-uncle of Taran Killam.
18. Received the John F. Kennedy National Award (1999).
19. Was an expert in the art of Skeet Shooting.
20. Inducted into the National Skeet Shooting Association Hall of Fame (1971).