Godspeed Robert Hogan

Robert Hogan, who had recurring roles on the television shows Peyton Place, The Manhunter, Alice, Operation Petticoat, and others, died on May 27 2021. The cause was complications from pneumonia. He had been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2013.

Robert Hogan was born on September 28 1933 in New York City. During the Korean War he served in the United States Army. Afterwards he began studying engineering at New York University, but an aptitude test he took during his first semester suggested he would be suited to a career in the arts. As a result, he decided to try acting. He enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Art. In 1961 he made his off-Broadway debut in Call Me by My Rightful Name.

That same year he made his television debut in the show True Story. In the Sixties he had recurring roles on the daytime soap operas The Young Marrieds and Bright Promises. He had a regular role on Peyton Place. He guest starred on Cheyenne, Hawaiian Eye, Bronco, 77 Sunset Strip, Fair Exchange, Hazel, The Donna Reed Show, The Twilight Zone, Arrest and Trial, The Fugitive, Gomer Pyle: U.S.M.C., Kraft Suspense Theatre, Dr. Kildare, Wendy and Me, 12 O' Clock High, Batman, Bonanza, I Dream of Jeannie, Land of the Giants, Hogan's Heroes, Dan August, and Days of Our Lives. He appeared in the movie Greenwich Village Society (1963).

In the Seventies Robert Hogan had recurring roles on The Don Rickles Show; The Manhunter; Alice; Richie Brockelman, Private Eye; and Secrets of Midland Heights. He appeared in the mini-series Once an Eagle. He guest starred on the shows Mannix, Night Gallery, Gunsmoke, The Bold Ones: The Doctors, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, McCloud, The F.B.I.; Mission: Impossible; The Delphi Bureau; Cannon; Here's Lucy; Chase; Owen Marshall, Counsellor at Law; Sierra, The Streets of San Francisco; Ellery Queen; Hawaii Five-O; Insight; Tales of the Unexpected; Rosetti and Ryan; The Fitzpatricks; The Six Million Dollar Man; Sword of Justice; Kaz; Turnabout; Mork & Mindy; Young Maverick; Stone; The Incredible Hulk; Barnaby Jones; and A New Kind of Family. He appeared in the movies Westworld (1973), The Memory of Us (1974), and The Lady in Red (1979).

In the Eighties he continued to appear on Alice. He had a recurring role on the daytime soap opera Another World. He guest starred on the shows House Calls; Harper Valley P.T.A.; T. J.Hooker; Quincy M.E.; Hill Street Blues; Laverne & Shirley; Newhart; Tucker's Witch; Reggie; Automan; Scarecrow & Mrs. King; St. Elsewhere; Airwolf; One Day at a Time; Hotel; Cover Up; Double Trouble; The Fall Guy; Knight Rider; Spenser for Hire; The Colbys; Magnum, P.I.; You Again?; The Wizard; and Murder, She Wrote. He appeared in the movies Prince Jack (1984) and Hamburger: The Motion Picture (1986). He appeared on Broadway in A Few Good Men.

In the Nineties Robert Hogan guest starred on the TV shows Against the Law, Law & Order, General Hospital, All My Children, One Life to Live, Remember WENN, Cosby, Now and Again, and Deadline. He appeared on Broadway in Hamlet. He appeared in the movies Species II (1998), Blue Christmas (1998), Advice from a Caterpillar (1999), Maze (2000), and Brooklyn Sonnet (2000).

In the Naughts Robert Hogan had recurring roles on the TV shows The Wire and Law & Order. He guest starred on Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Third Watch, and Ed. He appeared in the movies The Sleepy Time Gal (2001), Sweet Land (2005), Day Zero (2007), Universal Signs (2008), and Welcome to Academia (2009). In the Teens he guest starred on the TV show Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Happyish, and Maturity. He appeared in the movies Trust, Greed, Bullets & Bourbon (2013), A Good Marriage (2014), and Youth in Oregon (2016)

Robert Hogan was a friend of television writer Bernard Fein. Bernard Fein named the lead character on a show he co-created, Hogan's Heroes, after him.

I have to suspect that the average viewer might not recognize Robert Hogan's name, but they would certainly recognize his face. He was very prolific, appearing in well over 100 shows throughout his long career. What is more, he had recurring roles on several shows. If Robert Hogan was so prolific, it was perhaps because he was so very versatile. On Peyton Place he was one of the title town's ministers. He played military officers multiple times, most notably Lt. Commander Haller on Operation Petticoat. He was a judge on Law & Order. Throughout his career he played lawyers, medical doctors, law enforcement officers, and even con men. He was Sheriff Paul Tate on The Manhunter and retired shipwright Louis Sobotka on The Wire. Robert Hogan was convincing in every role he played and always gave a good performance.