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Robert Hanley

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Hanley in 2010

Robert Hanley (born June 17, 1947), also known as Broadway Bob.[1] and Bob Hanley, is an American actor, entertainer, comedian, singer, and writer.[2] Hanley has been cast in over 100 starring and co-starring roles in television variety, comedy and drama series including Crazy Like a Fox[3] with Jack Warden, and Pros & Cons[4] with James Earl Jones and Richard Crenna. Hanley hosted television game shows for the ABC and CBS networks,[5] and, as stand-up comedian Broadway Bob, appeared on The Merv Griffin Show. He headed Robert Hanley Actors Studio for eighteen years. Currently, as a singer/entertainer with his own seventeen-piece orchestra, he performs at civic and fundraising events. He is the founder of the nonprofit Entertainment Fellowship.

Career

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Hanley joined the U.S. Army in 1968 during the Vietnam era where he became an entertainment specialist, and wrote, directed, did stand-up comedy, and acted in numerous musical stage productions performed for the troops. Subsequently, Margaret "Skippy" Lynn,[6] director of special services in Washington D. C., nominated Hanley for a scholarship to United States International University’s School of Performing Arts in San Diego, California, where he appeared in plays and musical productions, and received his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. While there, he appeared locally in Actors' Equity Association theatre productions under notable directors including James Burrows. Afterward, he moved to Los Angeles where he quickly got television roles, beginning an over thirty-year career as an actor, entertainer, singer, stand-up comedian, writer,[7] director,[7] producer, and acting teacher.

Hanley started out in Hollywood doing hundreds of turns as warm-up host for network and syndicated television shows.[8] This led to being cast on television variety, musical and comedy series. He was a regular on NBC’s The Mac Davis Show [9] as well as guest star on The Carol Lawrence Show, Harry and the Hendersons,[10] Madame’s Place, The New Gidget, and Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman.

As the stand-up comedian known as Broadway Bob, he performed on The Merv Griffin Show, and at The Comedy Store and The Improv.[11] He served as network television game show host on ABC’s The Numbers Game, and CBS’s Fortune Hunters.

In television drama series, Hanley was cast in starring and supporting roles in The Practice,[12] Crazy Like a Fox[13] with Jack Warden, Pros & Cons[4] with James Earl Jones and Richard Crenna, Hill Street Blues,[14] Hunter, Fresno,[citation needed] Houston Knights, Riptide, Dragnet, Shell Game with Margot Kidder, The A-Team, and many others including the TV movie The Hit Man[15] as well as thirty appearances on Days of Our Lives[16] His feature film credits include Private Benjamin[17] starring Goldie Hawn, I Married a Centerfold,[15] L.A. Bounty,[12] and Sparkle.[18] Currently, as an entertainer with a strong comedy flare, Hanley fronts his own seventeen-piece orchestra, singing classics from the great American songbook. He has performed in the Los Angeles area for numerous major events including those at the Universal Hilton, Sheraton Universal, Four Seasons and Doubletree Hotels, CBS Studio Center, Warner Grand Theater, Pasadena Convention Center and The Canyon Club. In addition, Hanley headed Robert Hanley Actors Studio[19] and Robert Hanley Musical, Drama and Theatre Institute at Debbie Reynolds Studios in North Hollywood, California where he taught and directed actors for eighteen years.

Charitable work and other interests

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Throughout his career, Hanley has worked with nonprofit, religious and charity groups as a producer, host, celebrity guest and performer.[20]

Hanley was founder and CEO of the Entertainment Fellowship—a nonprofit organization of more than 4,000 actors, writers, directors, producers and others in the entertainment industry[21]—which addressed ethics, morals and faith.[11] Both the city and county of Los Angeles honored Hanley with their respective Humanitarian of the Year Awards.[22]

References

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  1. ^ "ENTERTAINER ROBERT HANLEY SET TO DAZZLE ST. FRANCIS' POSH 2013". February 4, 2013. Retrieved 2015-08-30.
  2. ^ Puglia, Joe (14 October 2012). "Unexpected magic opens a personal path". Forum. La Canada, California: Los Angeles Times. p. 41.
    • Cormaci, Carol (7 February 2013). "Entertainer Signs Up For 'Knight Club'". Forum. La Canada, California: Los Angeles Times.
    • Harmon, Joanie (March 2005). "Father Joe Brennan". San Pedro Magazine. San Pedro, California: San Pedro Magazine.
  3. ^ "TV.com". Retrieved 2015-08-30.
    • "TVGuide.com". Retrieved 2015-08-30.
    • Libby Slate (1997). "Encouraging Industry Ethics". Emmy Magazine. No. December.
  4. ^ a b "LATimes.com". Retrieved 2015-08-30.
    • "TVGuide.com". Retrieved 2015-08-30.
    • Silvia Anne Sheafer (June 18, 1997). "Spiritual Awakenings". The Foothill Leader.
  5. ^
  6. ^ "Margaret 'Skippy' Lynn". Retrieved 10 January 2016.
  7. ^ a b Tipton, Jennifer (1 July 1999). "Entertainment with a Christian Message". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California.
  8. ^ Geoff Williams (May 7, 1995). "Robert Hanley: Acting for God". Catholic Twin Circle.
  9. ^ "Mac Davis Show". Corsicana Daily Sun. Corsicana, Texas: Corsicana Daily Sun. 15 December 1974. p. 41. Retrieved 2015-12-12.
    • Geoff Williams (May 7, 1995). "Robert Hanley: Acting for God". Catholic Twin Circle.
  10. ^ "TVGuide.com". Retrieved 2015-08-30.
  11. ^ a b "Robert Hanley to Perform at St. Francis Fundraiser | Patch". Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  12. ^ a b "Robert Hanley List of Movies and TV Shows | TVGuide.com". Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  13. ^ For information regarding Robert Hanley in Crazy Like a Fox, see. "TV.com". Retrieved 2015-08-30.
    • "TVGuide.com". Retrieved 2015-08-30.
    • Libby Slate (1997). "Encouraging Industry Ethics". Emmy Magazine. No. December.
  14. ^ "Hill Street Blues | Watch Hill Street Blues Online | TV Show | Season 5, Episode 21".
  15. ^ a b "Robert Hanley | Biography and Filmography". Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  16. ^ Maureen Russell (1 November 1995). Days of Our Lives: A Complete History of the Long-Running Soap Opera. McFarland. p. 190. ISBN 978-0-7864-8651-9.
    • Silvia Anne Sheafer (June 18, 1997). "Spiritual Awakenings". The Foothill Leader.
  17. ^ See the following: "Private-Benjamin - Cast, Crew, Director and Awards - NYTimes.com". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times. 2015. Archived from the original on 9 July 2015. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  18. ^ "Lista svih filmova - Filmovita - Gledaj Online Filmove". Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  19. ^ Bond, Ed (31 October 1996). "Actor Plays His Part in Keeping Faith in Film". Los Angeles Times: Valley Edition. Los Angeles, California.
  20. ^ "St. Bede's Birthday Celebration to Feature Entertainer Robert Hanley". La Canada Flintridge Outlook. September 20, 2012.
  21. ^ Durich, Gordon; Dill, Kitty (18 June 1998). "Entertainment Fellowship Combines Faith with Show Business". The Acorn. Agoura Hills, California: The Acorn. p. 41.
  22. ^ Tipton, Jennifer (1 July 1999). "Entertainment with a Christian Message". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California.
    • Bond, Ed (31 October 1996). "Actor Plays His Part in Keeping Faith in Film". Los Angeles Times: Valley Edition. Los Angeles, California.
    • Moody, Lori (20 June 1995). "Answered Prayers: Showbiz Workers Share Their Faith". The Daily News. Los Angeles, California: The Daily News.
    • Haynes, Dion (30 May 1997). "Religious artists promote family values in entertainment industry". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois: Chicago Tribune.
    • Durich, Gordon; Dill, Kitty (18 June 1998). "Entertainment Fellowship Combines Faith with Show Business". The Acorn. Agoura Hills, California: The Acorn.
    • Silvia Anne Sheafer (June 18, 1997). "Spiritual Awakenings". The Foothill Leader.
    • "Robert Hanley to Perform at St. Francis Fundraiser | Patch". Retrieved 12 December 2015.
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