Robert Foxworth Bio
Robert Heath Foxworth (born November 1, 1941) is an American film, stage, and television actor whose career has stretched across more than five decades. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University, he first gained recognition on the Washington, D.C. stage scene before moving to screen work in film and television. Foxworth is best known to mainstream audiences for his long-running role as Chase Gioberti on the prime-time drama Falcon Crest, and he has also built a reputation through supporting turns in prestige television and voice work in animated features.
Beyond his on-screen presence, Foxworth has remained active in genre projects, including voice performances as the Autobot Ratchet in the Transformers films. His career illustrates a versatile performer comfortable in both lead and ensemble roles, with a grounded presence in character-driven dramas and large-scale genre productions alike.
Early Life and Background
Robert Heath Foxworth was born on November 1, 1941, in Houston, Texas, in the United States. Growing up in Texas during the post-war era provided him with early exposure to storytelling traditions, both through local theatre and the rising national popularity of film and television. These formative experiences helped shape his interest in acting and laid the groundwork for his later formal training.
Foxworth went on to attend Carnegie Mellon University, where he earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in acting. His time at Carnegie Mellon exposed him to rigorous stage training and classical performance techniques that would inform his approach throughout his career. The combination of his Texas roots and his Pittsburgh-based education gave him a broad artistic foundation that he would later draw upon in both regional theatre and national television productions.
Path to Acting
After completing his studies at Carnegie Mellon University, Foxworth moved into professional theatre, where he first gained attention as a stage actor at Washington, D.C.’s Arena Stage. The Arena Stage company was a respected hub for serious American drama, and his work there helped establish him as a serious craftsman. This early stage experience gave him the discipline and visibility needed to transition into screen work.
His first notable screen work came in 1969, the year that marked the beginning of his professional career in film and television. He soon landed roles in early 1970s productions, including the television series The Storefront Lawyers (1970–1971) and appearances in NBC anthology programs such as Love Story in 1973 and Quinn Martin’s Tales of the Unexpected in 1977. These early credits helped him build a steady résumé and introduced him to a wider television audience before his defining roles arrived later in the decade.
Robert Foxworth Career
Early Career (1969–1980)
Foxworth began his screen career in 1969, taking on early television roles that helped him hone his craft in front of the camera. During the early 1970s, he became a familiar face in anthology and procedural programming, including a guest appearance in the 1973 NBC romantic anthology series Love Story episode “All My Tomorrows.” His work during this period also included science-fiction programming, with a notable appearance in the 1977 NBC science fiction-horror anthology Quinn Martin’s Tales of the Unexpected, in the episode “The Mask of Adonis.”
One of his most significant early achievements came in 1974, when he was offered the starring role in Gene Roddenberry’s television movie The Questor Tapes. The project, created by the legendary Star Trek producer, positioned Foxworth as a leading man in science fiction and demonstrated his ability to anchor a high-concept drama. He also continued to pursue stage work during this period, balancing his theatre commitments with steadily growing screen credits.
Breakthrough (1981–1987)
Foxworth’s major breakthrough arrived in 1981, when he was cast as Chase Gioberti, the long-suffering nephew of Jane Wyman’s character, on the prime-time drama Falcon Crest. The series, which ran from 1981 to 1987, became one of the defining primetime soap operas of the 1980s, and Foxworth’s portrayal of Chase anchored the show’s emotional core. The role made him a household name and established him as a leading television actor of the era.
Interestingly, Foxworth was also offered the role of J. R. Ewing in Dallas, but he turned it down, and Larry Hagman was ultimately cast. Despite passing on what would become one of television’s most iconic roles, his commitment to Falcon Crest delivered its own long-running success. The decision reflected his preference for character-driven drama and his loyalty to the project that had already cast him in a central role.
Later Career and Continued Work (1988–2019)
Following the end of Falcon Crest in 1987, Foxworth continued to take on a wide range of television and film projects throughout the late 1980s and 1990s. He played the murderer, an Army colonel, in “Grand Deceptions,” a 1989 episode of the TV series Columbo, and he guest-starred in numerous popular series, including Hawaii Five-O, Murder, She Wrote, seaQuest DSV, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, The Outer Limits, Star Trek: Enterprise, Stargate SG-1, and Babylon 5. These guest appearances showcased his range and kept him visible across genres from mystery to science fiction.
In the early 2000s, Foxworth took on one of his most acclaimed later roles as Bernard Chenowith on the HBO drama Six Feet Under, appearing from 2001 to 2003. The role demonstrated his ability to handle complex, nuanced characters in prestige television. He also had a guest-starring role on the seventh season of The West Wing and made a guest appearance on Law & Order, further reinforcing his reputation as a reliable and compelling dramatic actor.
Notable Works and Milestones
Beyond his live-action television work, Foxworth built an impressive résumé in voice acting, most notably as the corrupt Professor Hamilton on Justice League Unlimited. He also voiced the Autobot Ratchet in the 2007 film Transformers and its sequels, bringing his distinctive voice to one of the most enduring science-fiction franchises in cinema. His career, which spans from 1969 to 2019, reflects a sustained commitment to the craft of acting across stage, screen, and voice.
Robert Foxworth Family
Foxworth was first married to Marilyn McCormick from 1964 to 1974, and together they had two children: a son named Bo Foxworth and a daughter named Kristyn Foxworth. His children from this first marriage have remained part of his family life, and he has continued to balance his professional commitments with his role as a father.
In 1993, Foxworth married actress Elizabeth Montgomery, best known for her work on the classic television series Bewitched. The two had lived together for twenty years before marrying, and their partnership lasted until Montgomery’s death in 1995. Foxworth has been married to the former Stacey Thomas since August 2, 1998, making her his longest-standing current family partner.
Personal Life
Foxworth’s personal life has been marked by long-term relationships and a commitment to family. His three marriages, to Marilyn McCormick, Elizabeth Montgomery, and Stacey Thomas, span more than five decades and reflect a private approach to his life outside of his public work as an actor. His partnership with Elizabeth Montgomery, in particular, drew interest from fans of classic television due to her iconic status as the star of Bewitched.
Throughout his career, Foxworth has maintained residences in the United States and has continued to engage with both stage and screen projects. His longevity in the entertainment industry, along with his willingness to take on varied roles across genres, speaks to a steady and grounded personal approach to his craft and his family life.