Robert Sterling
Known for Acting
Robert Sterling, born William Sterling Hart (November 13, 1917 – May 30, 2006) was an American film and television actor. The son of baseball player and umpire Bill Hart, he was born in New Castle, Pennsylvania. He attended the University of Pittsburgh and worked as a clothing salesman before pursuing an acting career. After signing with Columbia Pictures in 1939, he changed his name to Robert Sterling to avoid confusion with silent western star William S. Hart. In 1941, Sterling went to MGM. He worked steadily as a supporting player for several years. After serving in World War II as an Army Air Force flight instructor, he returned to Hollywood, but by the end of the decade, his film career had faltered. He did, however, play the non-singing role of Steve Baker, opposite Ava Gardner as Julie, in the hit MGM 1951 film version of Show Boat. Sterling later revived his acting career on the small screen with numerous appearances on Television.
Filmography
Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
1939
as Senate Reporter (uncredited)
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea
1961
as Captain Lee Crane
Night of 100 Stars
1982
as Self
Only Angels Have Wings
1939
as Bit Role
Show Boat
1951
as Steven Baker
Golden Boy
1939
as Elevator Boy
Beggarman, Thief
1979
as Colonel Day
Roughshod
1949
as Clay Phillips
Return to Peyton Place
1961
as Mike Rossi
The Sundowners
1950
as Tom Cloud
Johnny Eager
1941
as Jimmy Courtney
Good Girls Go to Paris
1939
as Student (uncredited)
The Man They Could Not Hang
1939
as First Reporter (uncredited)
Column South
1953
as Lee Whitlock
The Secret Heart
1946
as Chase N. Addams
The Penalty
1941
as Edward McCormick
The Amazing Mr. Williams
1939
as Elevator Boy (uncredited)
Blondie Brings Up Baby
1939
as Dithers' Employee (uncredited)
Letters from Three Lovers
1973
as Bob
Ringside Maisie
1941
as Terry Dolan, aka Young O'Hara