Robert Taylor

Robert Taylor’s journey through Hollywood is a story of transformation, resilience, and enduring talent. Born Spangler Arlington Brugh in Nebraska, Taylor’s striking good looks initially earned him romantic leads and the nickname “The Face.” But behind the charm was a dedicated actor determined to be taken seriously—and he succeeded.

Taylor’s career began in the 1930s after a talent scout spotted him in a college theater production. Signed by MGM, he quickly became a leading man, starring in classics like Camille alongside Greta Garbo and Lady of the Tropics with Hedy Lamarr. Though admired for his appearance, Taylor longed for more challenging roles. He found them in film noir dramas and, eventually, in the rugged world of Westerns.

His Western debut came in 1939’s Stand Up and Fight, but it was post-WWII that Taylor truly reinvented himself. With a matured screen presence and a weathered look, he delivered powerful performances in Devil’s Doorway, Westward the Women, and The Hangman. These roles showcased his range—from a Shoshone war hero confronting racism to a hardened lawman with a reputation for never bringing prisoners back alive.

Taylor’s off-screen life was just as compelling. A Navy pilot during WWII, he directed and narrated military training films. He was married to screen legend Barbara Stanwyck and later to actress Ursula Thiess, with whom he had two children. Despite his fame, Taylor remained grounded, often retreating to the outdoors for hunting and fishing.

In the 1960s, Taylor continued to shine in Westerns like Cattle King and Return of the Gunfighter, and he became the host of Death Valley Days, succeeding his friend Ronald Reagan. Sadly, Taylor’s life was cut short by lung cancer in 1969 at age 57. He was posthumously inducted into the Cowboy Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a man who redefined himself and left a lasting mark on American cinema.