Robert Taylor died on June 8, 1969–43 years ago today

Robert Taylor’s grave is at the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California, in an area not accessible to the public.

At 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 8, 1969 Robert Taylor passed away in the arms of his wife, Ursula Thiess Taylor. A lifelong smoker, he had incurable lung cancer. After nine months of intense suffering after an operation on his right lung in October 1968, he was at peace. Future President Ronald Reagan gave the eulogy at his funeral.

Mr. Taylor had faced his illness with the same composure and strength that characterized his entire life. As Ursula Taylor put it, “my husband is giving a performance–the greatest of his lifetime.” (The Pittsburgh Press, Dec. 8, 1968).

Lawrence Quirk, a writer, offered this epitaph: “An American to the core, he loved his land, kept the faith, and looked for the best, and though the ravages of lung cancer brought untold agonies to his final year of life, he faced the end with grace and courage.” (Lawrence J. Quirk, “The Films of Robert Taylor,” page 12)

1935

You are not forgotten, Mr.Taylor.

About giraffe44

I became a Robert Taylor fan at the age of 15 when his TV show, "The Detectives" premiered. My mother wanted to watch it because she remembered Mr. Taylor from the thirties. I took one look and that was it. I spent the rest of my high school career watching Robert Taylor movies on late night TV, buying photos of him, making scrapbooks and being a typical teenager. College, marriage and career intervened. I remember being sad when Mr. Taylor died. I mailed two huge scrapbooks to Ursula Thiess. I hope she got them. Time passed, retirement, moving to Florida. Then in 2012 my husband Fred pointed that there were two Robert Taylor movies that evening on Turner Classic Movies--"Ivanhoe" and "Quentin Durward." I watched both and it happened all over again. I started this blog both for fans and for people who didn't know about Robert Taylor. As the blog passes 200,000 views I'm delighted that so many people have come by and hope it will help preserve the legacy of this fine actor and equally good man.

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9 Responses to Robert Taylor died on June 8, 1969–43 years ago today

Marianne says:

September 11, 2012 at 12:10 pm

I am also a fan of Robert Taylor. RIP

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Jane Ellen Wayne says:

August 10, 2013 at 2:43 pm

I wrote Robert Taylor’s biography so his life’s story would be available in book stores all over the world. It was published in softcover and then in hardcover, a rarity. Since then several Taylor bios have come out.
I didn’t want him to be forgotten

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- giraffe44 says:
  
  August 10, 2013 at 3:03 pm
  
  I love your Taylor bio. You are the only biographer who actually met him. The others are good, too, but not as immediate. As long as his pictures are available, he won’t be forgotten.
  
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Paul Goehring says:

June 3, 2014 at 6:27 pm

He was the best there are no actors today that could compare with him,they could’nt shine his shoes.

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- giraffe44 says:
  
  June 4, 2014 at 3:25 am
  
  I agree completely. Thanks for writing.
  
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Ernest Hendrickson, MD says:

March 29, 2018 at 3:49 pm

Robert Taylor was a very great man. A man to model ones own life after. He lead a spotless life. A leader through and through. Though gone many years ago he is remembered and shall be. Few can claim this distinction. Farewell.

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- giraffe44 says:
  
  March 29, 2018 at 7:12 pm
  
  Dr. Hendrickson, I agree with you completely. There’s no one like Robert Taylor today. Thank you for writing. Judith
  
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gayleen gaylord says:

February 19, 2022 at 9:16 pm

i have been a lifelong fan. a wonderful and good man.

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- giraffe44 says:
  
  February 20, 2022 at 9:14 pm
  
  Yes he was. Gayleen. I’m glad so many people still appreciate him. Thanks for writing. Judith
  
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