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Robert Emhardt appeared as if crafted by some twisted deity to portray villains. Although stout, he had hooded, reptilian eyes and a slow, whining drawl. In reality, Robert Emhardt was a well-educated, cultured, and generous man, quite unlike the roles he often played.
Born Robert Christian Emhardt in Indianapolis, Indiana, his father, C.J. Emhardt, was a lawyer, judge, and former mayor of the city. Robert began his acting training at Butler University’s theater program. He then traveled to London, England, where he studied at The London Academy of Dramatic Art from 1937 to 1938 and performed in repertory with the British Broadcasting Corporation.
While in England, he met Silvia Sedeli, a well-known English actress who became his wife. The couple had four children. Later, Emhardt understudied Sydney Greenstreet on an American tour and stayed in the U.S., making his Broadway debut in 1942 with "The Pirate." He won the Critics' Circle Award for Best Supporting Actor in "Life with Mother" (1948-49) and appeared in eleven more Broadway productions until 1959. His film debut was in The Iron Mistress (1952), a fictionalized Jim Bowie biopic starring Alan Ladd. Other notable films included 3:10 to Yuma (1957), Underworld U.S.A. (1961), and The Stone Killer (1973) alongside Charles Bronson. His favorite and perhaps finest performance was as Shirley Knight's portly yet gracious, ultimately deranged father in The Group (1966).
Emhardt maintained a prolific career, appearing in 125 summer stock productions and 250 television programs, including Have Gun – Will Travel (1957), The Untouchables (1959), Perry Mason (1957), Bonanza (1959), and six episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955). He also had a recurring role on the soap opera Another World (1964).
He was deeply involved with St. Augustine's Episcopal Church in Santa Monica and was a strong supporter of The Boy Scouts of America. In his rare free moments, he followed sports and enjoyed ballet.
Robert Emhardt passed away from heart failure on December 26, 1994, in Ojai, California.
