Robert Preston
Latest News on Robert Preston:
Review: Theater UnCorked's THE LION IN WINTER Roars with Royal Intrigue (Dec 13, 2024)
Review: FUNNY GIRL at ASU Gammage (Oct 16, 2024)
Shuler Hensley to Direct THE MUSIC MAN at City Springs Theatre Company (Sep 5, 2024)
Review: Theater UnCorked's THE LION IN WINTER Roars with Royal Intrigue (Dec 13, 2024)
Review: FUNNY GIRL at ASU Gammage (Oct 16, 2024)
Shuler Hensley to Direct THE MUSIC MAN at City Springs Theatre Company (Sep 5, 2024)
BIO
Robert Preston Meservey (June 8, 1918 – March 21, 1987) was an American stage and film actor and singer. His best known role was Professor Harold Hill in the 1957 musical The Music Man for which he received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. He reprised the role in the 1962 film adaptation, for which he received a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy nomination.
Preston made his Broadway debut in The Male Animal in 1952. He won two Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Musical for The Music Man (1957) and I Do! I Do! (1967) and was Tony-nominated for Mack and Mabel (1975). Preston collaborated twice with filmmaker Blake Edwards, first in S.O.B. (1981) and again in Victor/Victoria (1982), the latter earning him a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.
STAGE CREDITS
Movies
Illegal Traffic
[ 1938 ] Charles Bent Martin
[ 1938 ] Charles Bent Martin
King of Alcatraz
[ 1938 ] Robert MacArthur
[ 1938 ] Robert MacArthur
Disbarred
[ 1939 ] Bradley Kent
[ 1939 ] Bradley Kent
Union Pacific
[ 1939 ] Dick Allen
[ 1939 ] Dick Allen
Beau Geste
[ 1939 ] Digby Geste
[ 1939 ] Digby Geste
Moon Over Burma
[ 1940 ] Chuck Lane
[ 1940 ] Chuck Lane
Typhoon
[ 1940 ] Johnny Potter
[ 1940 ] Johnny Potter
North West Mounted Police
[ 1940 ] Ronnie Logan
[ 1940 ] Ronnie Logan
Parachute Battalion
[ 1941 ] Donald Morse
[ 1941 ] Donald Morse
New York Town
[ 1941 ] Paul Bryson, Jr.
[ 1941 ] Paul Bryson, Jr.
Pacific Blackout
[ 1941 ] Robert Draper
[ 1941 ] Robert Draper
The Lady from Cheyenne
[ 1941 ] Steve Lewis
[ 1941 ] Steve Lewis
The Night of January 16th
[ 1941 ] Steve Van Ruyle
[ 1941 ] Steve Van Ruyle
Reap the Wild Wind
[ 1942 ] Dan Cutler
[ 1942 ] Dan Cutler
This Gun for Hire
[ 1942 ] Michael Crane
[ 1942 ] Michael Crane
Wake Island
[ 1942 ] Pvt. Joe Doyle
[ 1942 ] Pvt. Joe Doyle
Night Plane from Chungking
[ 1943 ] Captain Nick Stanton
[ 1943 ] Captain Nick Stanton
The Macomber Affair
[ 1947 ] Francis Macomber
[ 1947 ] Francis Macomber
Wild Harvest
[ 1947 ] Jim Davis
[ 1947 ] Jim Davis
Variety Girl
[ 1947 ] Robert Preston
[ 1947 ] Robert Preston
Whispering Smith
[ 1948 ] Murray Sinclair
[ 1948 ] Murray Sinclair
Big City
[ 1948 ] Rev. Philip Y. Andrews
[ 1948 ] Rev. Philip Y. Andrews
Blood on the Moon
[ 1948 ] Tate Riling
[ 1948 ] Tate Riling
Tulsa
[ 1949 ] Brad Brady
[ 1949 ] Brad Brady
The Lady Gambles
[ 1949 ] David Boothe
[ 1949 ] David Boothe
The Sundowners
[ 1950 ] James Cloud - aka Kid Wichita
[ 1950 ] James Cloud - aka Kid Wichita
When I Grow Up
[ 1951 ] Father Reed
[ 1951 ] Father Reed
My Outlaw Brother
[ 1951 ] Joe Waldner
[ 1951 ] Joe Waldner
Cloudburst
[ 1951 ] John Graham
[ 1951 ] John Graham
Best of the Badmen
[ 1951 ] Matthew Fowler
[ 1951 ] Matthew Fowler
Face to Face
[ 1952 ] Sheriff Jack PotterThe Bride Comes to Yellow Sky
[ 1952 ] Sheriff Jack PotterThe Bride Comes to Yellow Sky
The Last Frontier
[ 1955 ] Col. Frank Marston
[ 1955 ] Col. Frank Marston
The Dark at the Top of the Stairs
[ 1960 ] Rubin Flood
[ 1960 ] Rubin Flood
The Music Man
[ 1962 ] Harold Hill
[ 1962 ] Harold Hill
How the West Was Won
[ 1962 ] Roger Morgan
[ 1962 ] Roger Morgan
All the Way Home
[ 1963 ] Jay Follett
[ 1963 ] Jay Follett
Island of Love
[ 1963 ] Steve Blair
[ 1963 ] Steve Blair
Junior Bonner
[ 1972 ] Ace Bonner
[ 1972 ] Ace Bonner
Child's Play
[ 1972 ] Joseph Dobbs
[ 1972 ] Joseph Dobbs
Mame
[ 1974 ] Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside
[ 1974 ] Beauregard Jackson Pickett Burnside
Semi-Tough
[ 1977 ] Big Ed Bookman
[ 1977 ] Big Ed Bookman
S.O.B.
[ 1981 ] Dr. Irving Finegarten
[ 1981 ] Dr. Irving Finegarten
Victor/Victoria
[ 1982 ] Carole "Toddy" Todd
[ 1982 ] Carole "Toddy" Todd
The Last Starfighter
[ 1984 ] Centauri
[ 1984 ] Centauri
TV Shows
The Chisholms
Hadley Chisholm
Hadley Chisholm
Awards and Nominations
Tony Awards - 1975 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Robert Preston, Mack and Mabel
winner
Tony Awards - 1967 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Robert Preston, Do! I Do!
winner
Tony Awards - 1958 - Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical
Robert Preston, The Music Man
Videos
VIDEO: Asolo Repertory to Present New Ahrens & Flaherty Musical KNOXVILLE
by Alan Henry - Feb 6, 2019
BWW Flashback: Harvey Schmidt Reminisces on His Legendary Career in the Theatre
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 1, 2018
TV: Try to Remember... Broadway Legends Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt Recall Career Highlights
by Nicole Rosky - Dec 5, 2017
News
Review: Theater UnCorked's THE LION IN WINTER Roars with Royal Intrigue
Theater UnCorked has opened its sixth season with a sharp, searing production of “The Lion in Winter” that lays out a powerful story of a royal family struggling both with succession planning and with each other. It may be an unconventional offering given this season’s predictable plethora of holiday productions, but the drama – which inspired the Fox-TV series “Empire” – is definitely a gift for discerning theatergoers.
Theater UnCorked has opened its sixth season with a sharp, searing production of “The Lion in Winter” that lays out a powerful story of a royal family struggling both with succession planning and with each other. It may be an unconventional offering given this season’s predictable plethora of holiday productions, but the drama – which inspired the Fox-TV series “Empire” – is definitely a gift for discerning theatergoers.
Review: FUNNY GIRL at ASU Gammage
The national tour of FUNNY GIRL features a knock-out performance by the show's leading lady, Hannah Shankman, and culminates with an audience-pleasing big finish.
The national tour of FUNNY GIRL features a knock-out performance by the show's leading lady, Hannah Shankman, and culminates with an audience-pleasing big finish.
Shuler Hensley to Direct THE MUSIC MAN at City Springs Theatre Company
City Springs Theatre Company will present THE MUSIC MAN in September. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
City Springs Theatre Company will present THE MUSIC MAN in September. Learn more and see how to purchase tickets.
Billy Harrigan Tighe to Star in THE MUSIC MAN at City Springs Theatre Company
City Springs Theatre Company will open its 2024-2025 season with THE MUSIC MAN starring Billy Harrigan Tighe. Learn how to purchase tickets.
City Springs Theatre Company will open its 2024-2025 season with THE MUSIC MAN starring Billy Harrigan Tighe. Learn how to purchase tickets.
Wake Up With BroadwayWorld July 10, 2024
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 10, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Rise and shine, BroadwayWorld! It is July 10, 2024 and it's time to catch up on all of the theatrical happenings you may have missed in the last 24 hours.
Ariana DeBose Will Return to Host the 77th Annual Tony Awards
BroadwayWorld has just learned that Academy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Ariana DeBose returns to host THE 77TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS for the third time. We have all of the details here!
BroadwayWorld has just learned that Academy Award winner and Tony Award nominee Ariana DeBose returns to host THE 77TH ANNUAL TONY AWARDS for the third time. We have all of the details here!
Review: GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE TO LOVE AND MURDER at White Theatre At The JCC
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is a very funny idea and the 2014 Tony winner for best new Musical. It is currently playing at the White Theatre inside the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park through March 24.
“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” is a very funny idea and the 2014 Tony winner for best new Musical. It is currently playing at the White Theatre inside the Jewish Community Center in Overland Park through March 24.
Where Else Have the Tony Awards Been Held?
This time, the reader question was: Where has the Tony Awards ceremony been presented in the past?
This time, the reader question was: Where has the Tony Awards ceremony been presented in the past?
Have There Been Many Two-Person Broadway Musicals Before GUTENBERG?
This time, the reader question was: Have there been many Broadway musicals starring only two actors, before Gutenberg! The Musical!?
This time, the reader question was: Have there been many Broadway musicals starring only two actors, before Gutenberg! The Musical!?
Broadway Lyricist and Librettist Tom Jones Has Passed Away
Tom Jones, best known for his work as the librettist and lyricist of The Fantasticks, has passed away. He was 95.
Tom Jones, best known for his work as the librettist and lyricist of The Fantasticks, has passed away. He was 95.
Patrick Duffy, Tristan Gemmill & More to Star in TWELVE ANGRY MEN UK Tour
Get all the details about the upcoming TWELVE ANGRY MEN UK Tour featuring TV stars Patrick Duffy and Tristan Gemmill. Don't miss the opportunity to see this incredible cast in action!
Get all the details about the upcoming TWELVE ANGRY MEN UK Tour featuring TV stars Patrick Duffy and Tristan Gemmill. Don't miss the opportunity to see this incredible cast in action!
Review: THE MUSIC MAN at Moorestown Theater Company
What did our critic think of THE MUSIC MAN at Moorestown Theater Company?
What did our critic think of THE MUSIC MAN at Moorestown Theater Company?
All Roads Theatre Company Will Open With MACK & MABEL in 2024
ALL ROADS THEATRE COMPANY (ARTCO) announces its emergence into the Southern California Arts Scene with the bold announcement of a fully staged and choreographed “In Concert” presentation of Jerry Herman’s and Michael Stewart’s beloved but seldom-produced musical, MACK & MABEL, for three performances, February 16, 17 and 18, 2024 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.
ALL ROADS THEATRE COMPANY (ARTCO) announces its emergence into the Southern California Arts Scene with the bold announcement of a fully staged and choreographed “In Concert” presentation of Jerry Herman’s and Michael Stewart’s beloved but seldom-produced musical, MACK & MABEL, for three performances, February 16, 17 and 18, 2024 at the El Portal Theatre in North Hollywood.
Pasadena Playhouse To Receive 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award
The Tony Awards Administration Committee has announced that based on the recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association, Pasadena Playhouse, in Pasadena, California, will be the recipient of the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The honor is accompanied by a grant of $25,000, made possible by City National Bank's generous support.
The Tony Awards Administration Committee has announced that based on the recommendation by the American Theatre Critics Association, Pasadena Playhouse, in Pasadena, California, will be the recipient of the 2023 Regional Theatre Tony Award. The honor is accompanied by a grant of $25,000, made possible by City National Bank's generous support.
Interview: Broadway Producer Julian Schlossberg
Producer Julian Schlossberg's autobiography, TRY NOT TO HOLD IT AGAINST ME, is a chronicle of singular moments and stars of Broadway.
Producer Julian Schlossberg's autobiography, TRY NOT TO HOLD IT AGAINST ME, is a chronicle of singular moments and stars of Broadway.
Broadway Streaming Guide: February 2023 - How to Hear the KIMBERLY AKIMBO Cast Recording & More
This February, Broadway fans will be treated with several new albums, concerts, and television shows to binge. Check out what's coming to streaming this month, including new classic movie musicals like The Music Man, to new Broadway cast recordings from Kimberly Akimbo and KPOP!
This February, Broadway fans will be treated with several new albums, concerts, and television shows to binge. Check out what's coming to streaming this month, including new classic movie musicals like The Music Man, to new Broadway cast recordings from Kimberly Akimbo and KPOP!
Cast & Creative Teams Confirmed for Shaw Festival 2023 Season, Featuring PRINCE CASPIAN World Premiere & More
Artistic Director Tim Carroll has unveiled the Shaw Festival's 2023 casting and creative teams for the Festival Theatre, Royal George Theatre, Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, BMO Stage, as well as the newly added Spiegeltent.
Artistic Director Tim Carroll has unveiled the Shaw Festival's 2023 casting and creative teams for the Festival Theatre, Royal George Theatre, Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre, BMO Stage, as well as the newly added Spiegeltent.
New Biography ROBERT PRESTON - FOREVER THE MUSIC MAN Out Now
Robert Preston - Forever The Music Man chronicles the life and career of the enigmatic Hollywood and Broadway actor, and original Music Man star, Robert Preston.
Robert Preston - Forever The Music Man chronicles the life and career of the enigmatic Hollywood and Broadway actor, and original Music Man star, Robert Preston.
Album Review: THE MUSIC MAN (THE 2022 BROADWAY CAST RECORDING) Is A New Kind Of MUSIC MAN For A New Generation… Kind Of
The additional track of the cut barbershop quartet song, IT’S YOU is a real bonus and so is the extra extended cut of Jackman and Shuler Hensley’s clowning fun on THE SADDER BUT WISER GIRL FOR ME.
The additional track of the cut barbershop quartet song, IT’S YOU is a real bonus and so is the extra extended cut of Jackman and Shuler Hensley’s clowning fun on THE SADDER BUT WISER GIRL FOR ME.
Charleston Light Opera Guild Announces Auditions For THE MUSIC MAN
The Music Man, a co-production with the Clay Center, will play at the Maier Performance Hall on October 28-30 and November 4-6, 2022.
The Music Man, a co-production with the Clay Center, will play at the Maier Performance Hall on October 28-30 and November 4-6, 2022.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How many Broadway shows has Robert Preston been in?
Robert Preston has appeared on Broadway in 18 shows.
How many West End shows has Robert Preston been in?
Robert Preston has not appeared in the West End.
What awards has Robert Preston been nominated for?
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Mack and Mabel, Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for Do! I Do! and Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical (Tony Awards) for The Music Man.
What awards has Robert Preston won?
Robert Preston won the Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical for Do I Do! and also for The Music Man.
Videos