Robert Sampson (actor)

Robert LeRoy Sampson[1] (May 10, 1933 – January 18, 2020) was an American actor. He was known for playing the role of Father Mike Fitzgerald in the American sitcom television series Bridget Loves Bernie.[2]

Robert Sampson
Sampson in Bridget Loves Bernie (1972)
Born
Robert LeRoy Sampson

(1933-05-10)May 10, 1933
DiedJanuary 18, 2020(2020-01-18) (aged 86)
Resting placeOakwood Memorial Park Cemetery
OccupationActor
Years active1954–2020
Spouse
Maryanne Gackle
(m. 1972; div. 1976)
Children1

Life and career

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Sampson was born in Los Angeles, California, the son of Roy Sampson.[2][3] He began his screen career in 1954, appearing in the television series Meet Corliss Archer.[2] Sampson also guest-starred in numerous television programs including Gunsmoke, The Outer Limits, Star Trek: The Original Series, Mission: Impossible, Bonanza, Dr. Kildare, Wonder Woman, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Green Acres, Hawkins, The Jeffersons, and Police Story.[2][3] He also appeared in films such as Re-Animator (as Dean Halsey), City of the Living Dead, Mr. Ricco, The Dark Side of the Moon, Robot Jox, The Sky's the Limit, Look in Any Window and Mad Dog Coll.[2][4]

Later in his career, Sampson had a leading role in the film The Restless Ones.[3] He also co-starred in the CBS television series Bridget Loves Bernie, playing the role of Bridget Steinberg's brother[5] Father Mike Fitzgerald.[6] Sampson also played the recurring role of Sheriff Turk Tobias in the television soap opera Falcon Crest.[2]

Death

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Sampson died in January 2020 in Santa Barbara, California, at the age of 86 and was interred at Oakwood Memorial Park Cemetery.[1]

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Jack Season 6 Episode 14: "The Changing Heart"
1961 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Ralph Birdwell Season 6 Episode 16: "A Crime for Mothers"
1961 Rawhide Lieutenant Meadows Season 3 Episode 27: "Incident Before Black Pass"
1963 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour Sergeant Duncan Season 1 Episode 30: "Dear Uncle George"

References

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  1. ^ a b "Robert Sampson Obituary (1933-2020)". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. January 30, 2020. p. B5. Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  2. ^ a b c d e f Rubin, Steven (November 1, 2017). Twilight Zone Encyclopedia. Chicago Review Press. pp. 991–992. ISBN 9781613738917 – via Google Books.
  3. ^ a b c "Robert Sampson, Actor Visitor In Finley". Steele County Press. Finley, North Dakota. May 26, 1966. p. 12. Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  4. ^ "Sampson Gets Role". Los Angeles Times. Los Angeles, California. January 16, 1961. p. 81. Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  5. ^ "Actor Has No Punch". Fort Lauderdale News. Fort Lauderdale, Florida. April 12, 1974. p. 91. Retrieved November 26, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.  
  6. ^ Robinson, Mark (October 15, 2019). Sitcommentary: Television Comedies That Changed America. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers. p. 57. ISBN 9781538114209 – via Google Books.
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