Robert Taylor was born in Filley, Nebraska on August 5, 1911. The photo above is the main street of Filley in 1936. Mr. Taylor’s original name was Spangler Arlington Brugh. At some point the Spangler and Brugh families intermarried, causing the unusual first name. His parents were Spangler Andrew Brugh (1881-1933) and Ruth Adela Stanhope Brugh (1887-1974). Andrew was a grain merchant who became an osteopath in order to care for his ailing wife. He died in 1933, shortly after his son’s graduation from college. Ruth Brugh survived her son by five years. Robert Taylor always felt a strong connection with Nebraska and visited frequently.
Already reaching out to life.
Young Arlington, or Arly, was 6 months old when this picture was taken. Dressing baby boys like girls was very common at the time. With her health problems, Ruth was unable to care for her baby, necessitating a live-in Nanny. Arly was apparently a fragile child who survived a serious illness in 1912 and another in the flu epidemic of 1918. The family moved to Beatrice, Nebraska, in 1917.
A happy baby.
This picture is from 1912 and shows Arly at the age of 18 months. The Brugh family moved frequently in Beatrice, generally moving up to better premises. E.A. Kral in Robert Taylor’s Nebraska Years says: “Taylor’s father was by all accounts an excellent osteopath,very considerate of everyone and a wonderful neighbor.” Robert Taylor was also known for his good manners and faultless courtesy. Greta Garbo called him a “kind and well-bred” young man.
Two very similar faces.
Date unknown. From E.A. Kral: “Taylor’s mother was a quiet and sometimes reserved person, of a smaller build, 5’2″ tall, 120 pounds in weight, fragile appearing but underneath strong and occasionally demanding, and always concerned about her family.” In later years Ruth would recall that neither her husband nor her son,”liked me to work. that he liked to find me dressed up pretty and sitting down with a book in the parlor when he came home” (Gladys Hall)
Ruth encouraging literacy.
I don’t have an exact date for this picture but to me Arly looks to be around 4 or 5 years old. Ruth dressed him in sailor suits and Little Lord Fauntleroy outfits and kept him away from other children for fear that he would get dirty. As a boy Arly loved to read, mostly adventure stories for boys. The famous widow’s peak makes an appearance here, although not as prominently as it would later.
Family Portrait with Little Lord Fauntleroy.
This family portrait comes from 1914 when Arlington was three years old. Later he would go to school in outfits like this one and have to defend himself from other boys who called him a sissy. Robert Taylor commented much later that it was then he became a fast runner. Ruth, Arlington and Andrew are in the front row, other relatives in the back. One poignant comment by Robert Taylor looking back on his child is as follows: “I was almost always alone. I went to school. I was a good little boy, I am afraid. I liked school.”
Not a happy boy.
Also from 1914, 3 year old Arly with a suitcase. When he was quite young, Arlington accompanied his doctor father on his rounds through rural Nebraska, helping with surgery by laying out the instruments. Mr. Taylor once described the smell of his home as a combination of hot chocolate, hot cornbread and formaldehyde. He also tried to teach himself Latin. At one point Arly developed a serious stammer and was sent to live with friends on a farm. Allowed to dress like a regular boy and play with kids of his own age cured the stammer, which never came back.
Arly aboard Gypsy.
Wearing his boy scout uniform, Arly is seated on his pony Gypsy or Gyp at the age of 8. From Gladys Hall, Robert Taylor’s True Life Story, 1937. Quoting Robert Taylor: “One day when I was ten, I made up my mind to ride Gypsy to Filley. It was about 16 miles from Beatrice. My parents offered no objection. They always encouraged me to take the adventures that called on self reliance…..well, a few miles out of Beatrice, Gypsy balked. I fought her but she was stronger willed than I. I let her take her head then, and ramble on to a lonely farm house. There I phoned my mother. ‘Gee, I’m marooned here. Gyp won’t go any farther. We’ll have to come back.’ And then mother’s voice came over the wire saying, ‘You just cut yourself a switch, young man, and make her go. Never let a horse be your boss.,” Despite more difficulties, Arly and Gyp made it safely to Filley.
The two Spanglers–Arly and his father Andrew Brugh.
The original caption for this picture says: “No screen lover is this, but an all-round American boy at the age of 16. His father was Taylor’s favorite companion, but tragically he didn’t live to see his son famous. A likeness between father and son can be seen, but it was a likeness of character as well as physiognomy. ” Lydia Calvert, writing the history of the screen’s greatest lover since Valentino, tells of his life in Filley, Neb., where the photo was taken.
Mr. and Mrs. Brugh and their nearly grown son.
The Brugh family in 1929. Arly was 18. After High School he enrolled at Doane College in Crete, Nebraska to study music with his favorite teacher, Herbert Grey. Grey later transferred to Pomona College in California, and Arlington Brugh followed him, a decision that completely changed the direction of his life. At Pomona he became active in the dramatic society and played leading roles in a number of plays, including Camille.
In his senior year, Arly, also called Doc, starred in the play Journey’s End. There was a talent scout from MGM there and the rest is history. Actually there a number of versions of what happened next, but there is no question that young Doc and MGM did find one another.
Robert Taylor always loved music.
This is probably the High School String Quartet in the late 1920s. The members were Ora Dunn, Clyde Pfaff, Gerhart Wiebe and Arlington Brugh. Except for Arly, I don’t know who is who. Gerhard Wiebe was a very close friend who even lived with the Brugh family for a while in California. Robert Taylor’s love of music continued through his life and he sings and plays the piano in several pictures. Jack Benny and Robert Taylor once played a violin and cello duet on Benny’s radio show.
Arly in high school.
Arlington Brugh in high school in Beatrice Nebraska. He was quite a snappy dresser and fully aware of his attraction for the opposite sex. The young man loved movies and went to as many of them as possible. He was also attracted to the theater and acted in a number of high school plays. A neighbor named C.B Dempster reportedly said: “Some day that boy of yours will be a big movie star!”
Robert Taylor, looking glamorous, with his father, 1933.
Andrew and Arly in 1933, shortly before Andrew’s death. His father’s death hit Robert Taylor hard. The two had visited a few weeks earlier when Andrew Brugh first became ill. It was the last time they spoke. “I’m glad my last words to him were, “Whatever I do, I want to make good at it–for you and Mother'” (Gladys Hall) This was a vow Mr. Taylor kept, caring for his mother all his life and making provision for her in his will. After Andrew’s funeral, Bob Taylor took his mother with him to California, where he supported her and his grandmother, on $35 a week at first.
Ruth Brugh expresses her joy at visiting a movie set.
Ruth Brugh and Robert Taylor on the set of Magnificent Obsession, 1935. Ruth was supportive of her son’s career and became very proud of being “Robert Taylor’s mother.” She depended on Mr. Taylor financially for years although he drew the line at supporting her male friends. Ruth was a manipulative person and used her supposed poor health to keep Mr. Taylor with her on his wedding night when he married Barbara Stanwyck. He got very good at handling her and keeping her from having as much influence as she wanted.
Robert Taylor onstage in a community theater production.
1932-1933. Robert Taylor (second from left) in Green Fire at the Little Theater in Padua Hills, California. Mr. Taylor acted in off-campus productions to get experience. He took his work very seriously and never passed up an opportunity to improve.
Jacob A. Brugh (8/29/1853-2/23/1937)
Original caption: ” Jacob A. Brugh, grandfather of Arlington Brugh, better known as Robert Taylor, high ranking movie star, has been placed on the relief rolls as a $16 a month pensioner of Beatrice, Nebraska, it has been revealed. It is said dissension among his relatives caused it.” Life Magazine, always antagonistic towards Mr. Taylor, published a story about Jacob Brugh, implying that his wealthy grandson couldn’t take care of the old man. Robert Taylor had been unaware of the situation and remedied it as son as he was informed.
An irate magazine reader wrote the following:
(March 15, 1937) Sir: I wish to take as violent an exception as is possible to your photographs of Jacob A. Brugh and the letter accompanying them as published in LIFE for Feb. 22. I know the Brugh family and have known them for many years. They are entirely normal people, having all the civilized characteristics of other people of the middle class. They would cheerfully support the old gentleman but he won’t let them. He is in that state of advanced senility where he enjoys having the public think he is severely abused by his children and particularly by his grandson, now known as Robert Taylor, the Great Lover.
You are putting Arlington Brugh, or Robert Taylor, on an extremely hot spot. He either has to admit that he is a tightwad of the first order or that his grandfather is nuts and a contrary old rascal to boot.
You dealt with the case of Edward Maileham in an intelligent manner. You left no room for doubt that the ancient poet was a fine man, had accomplished something, was respected, loved by all who know him, but was, withal, senility-stricken and had to have his affairs administered by a guardian. The same thing is true for Jacob A. Brugh, except that he has lost his money and therefore needs no guardian. His sons have repeatedly offered him a good home.
The family at a horse show–Bob, Barbara, Dion.
In May of 1939 Robert Taylor and Barbara Stanwyck married. (I have written about that elsewhere on this blog). At the time of the marriage, Mr. Taylor acquired an instant family in the form of Dion Fay, Barbara’s adopted son. From Linda J. Alexander, Reluctant Witness: “[Mr. Taylor] was 27 when he married Barbara, and certainly old enough to have been a father. The fact that suddenly he now had a child living under his roof threw a wrench in his very structured, adult-centered environment. He had been raised to follow rules, never get dirty or argue, obey elders without question….make no waves whatsoever. In other words, don’t act like a child. Period. He figured that’s how Dion should act in his home.” Nonetheless, Robert Taylor made a huge effort to win over Dion, taking him fishing, to the races, the circus, shooting and the like. Dion, however, wasn’t outdoorsy and the two had very little in common. As an adult, Dion recalled his stepfather as a decent guy who tried and called him “Gentleman Bob.”
Ralph Couser, Ursula Thiess, Robert Taylor, Ivy Mooring at the Taylor wedding.
The Taylor-Stanwyck marriage ended in divorce in 1951. Robert Taylor played the man-about-town until he met the lovely German actress, Ursula Thiess. After a long and turbulent courtship, they married on a boat in Jackson Lake Wyoming on May 15, 1954. Once again Mr. Taylor acquired a family as Ursula had two children, Manuela and Michael. Ruth Brugh is said to have disapproved. Both children had great difficulty adjusting to America and their new stepfather. For two German speaking children to be tossed into an alien country and way of life was very difficult. Michael died of a drug overdose in 1969. Manuela, after some rough times, turned her life around and is today a successful educator and photographer.
This picture shows the Taylor family and photographer Dmitri Kessel in Wyoming in 1961 during a photo shoot for Life Magazine. Ursula Thiess gave up her film career to be a wife and mother. Her relationship with her husband is best described in a passage from her book. The Taylors were in Cairo while he was making The Glass Sphinx. From Ursula Thiess, But I Have Promises To Keep: “When I arrived at the Nile Hilton, not expecting Bob to be at the hotel yet, I signed in and was ushered to the 9th floor. Simultaneously with the opening of the elevator, the last door on the long corridor opened as well, presenting a freshly showered, bathrobed Bob. I stopped and looked at him as he stood there, still 100 feet away, with a big smile on his face, his legs spread apart, cowboy-fashion, and his arms stretched out for an embrace. As my heart started pounding and the pit of my stomach knotted with excitement, I ran toward my husband like a 17-year-old, carried on the wings of first love. I felt an emotion of total commitment.”
Tessa and Terry in Beatrice, Nebraska.
The adult Tessa and Terry are autographing books at the celebration of Robert Taylor’s 100th birthday in Beatrice, Nebraska in 2011. Terry was 14 and Tessa 9 when they lost their father. Both have fond memories of him and both have worked to keep the memory of their father’s legacy alive. I suspect that they are pleased with the revival of interest in Mr. Taylor in the last few years. Two very good biographies have appeared, Robert Taylor movies are available through Warner Archive and You Tube, he has been Turner Classic Movies’ star of the month twice. Linda Alexander’s book has led to a re-evaluation of Mr. Taylor and the controversial HUAC (House un-American Activities Committee) hearings in 1947.
Sources:
Alexander, Linda J. Reluctant Witness: Robert Taylor, Hollywood, and Communism. Tease Publishing, 2008.
Broman. Sven. Conversations with Greta Garbo, Viking, 1991
Hall, Gladys. Robert Taylor’s True Life Story. Dell Publishing Co., Inc. 1937
Kral, E.A. Robert Taylor’s Nebraska Years. 2009
Thiess, Ursula. “…but I have promises to keep.” My Life Before, With & After Robert Taylor. Xlibris Corp, 2007.
Tranberg, Charles. Robert Taylor: A Biography. Bear Manor Publishing, 2010.
Robert Taylor Actor 
Thank you for all the info and and interesting anecdotes about Robert Taylor. As a child in the 50s and to this day, I still think him quite the handsomest man on screen. His decent character was unusually refreshing in the shallowness of Hollywood, and the world of film in general. We need more like him.
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Thank you for your comment, Jackie. Mr. Taylor’s decency and honesty are a big part of why I like him (along with that gorgeous face, of course). I do wish we had people in show business like him but that seems unlikely in today’s culture.
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I have been in love with Robert Taylor since I was 14 years old. I am now an 81 year old woman still in love with a dead man. I had his promotion picture of him in hs naval uniform. I wish I still had it.
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We had similar experiences. I was 15 when I fell in love with him. I’m 69 now. If you describe the picture you had, I might have one on my computer and could send it to you. Thanks for writing.
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I’ve been in love with him since I was 12 (“Quo Vadis” & the movies that followed it & those that preceded it (on TV, VHS & DVD), plus “The Detectives” & “Death Valley Days.” I just turned 75. Love this blog. Was between chemo treatments 1 & 2 in August 2011 so missed the 100th birthday party in Beatrice. Wish someone could convince Terry & Tessa to do a short feature on their dad for TCM, like Jane & Peter Fonda did for Henry. RT is finally being recogznized as the fine, versatile actor he was, with the decency & integrity to actually be believable as a “knight in shining armor ” & the artistry to also be convincing as a few bad guys like Johnny Eager & the psycho Charlie Gilson in “The Last Hunt,” as well as many in-between roles where he is merely human but doing his best; e.g. “Bataan,” “Above & Beyond,” & “D-Day, the 6th of June.”
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“Quo Vadis” and “High Wall” are my 2 favorites.The characters, of course, are complete opposites but I like the vulnerable quality of Steve Kenet in “High Wall.” He’s also gorgeous when he’s disheveled. That was one of Charlie Gilson’s many attractions. “Above and Beyond” grew on me. I didn’t care for the subject matter at first but Mr. Taylor was so good he won me over. He should’ve been at least nominated for Oscars in “Bataan,” “Waterloo Bridge,” “Quo Vadis,” “The Last Hunt,” “Above and Beyond,” and probably others I can’t think of. Why not suggest to Tessa about making a film like the one the Fondas made? She’s on facebook and very nice. Oh, “Valley of the Kings” is another favorite. RT and Eleanor Parker were so good together.
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As I recall, RT (unfairly) did not get generally good reviews when “Quo Vadis” was first released, so no surprise that he wasn’t nominated for that one. “Above & Beyond” is a movie that I just seemed to miss for one reason or another when it was playing in theatres. During my senior year in college I had the good luck, because of a friend’s suggestion, to get the job of ordering the “Free Flicks” shown twice on Saturday nights on campus. I ordered 2 Doris Day movies for the friend who “got me the job,” 2 Frank Sinatra movies for another close friend, 2 Vivien Leigh films for Friend #2 & me, & of course some Robert Taylor movies for me – “Waterloo Bridge,” “Ivanhoe” & “Above & Beyond,” which at last I was going to have an opportunity to see. However, I had a Japanese student friend who frequently attended the “Free Flicks” & I cancelled the order for “Above & Beyond,” which, of course, was all about my country attacking hers with the most devastating weapon ever used. I always thought there should have been a “demonstration drop” in a desert somewhere for high-ranking Japanese officials & that the Nagasaki bomb should not have followed the Hiroshima bomb, but President Truman believed that using the bombs was the only way to end the war without a land invasion of Japan. I finally did see “Above & Beyond” on TV (numerous times) & have it on DVD. Despite the subject matter, there are some great Taylor-Parker love scenes – particularly the one at the cabin. Can’t figure out why “Valley of the Kings” has not been released on DVD.
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I believe that President Truman’s reasoning was that the same number of people would probably die with or without the bomb. The alternative was a full out invasion of Japan and the Japanese had pledged to fight until the last person was dead. We can’t judge at this distance but I, like everyone, I guess, wish Truman had not had to do it. But he did.
“Quo Vadis” was after the HUAC testimony and I think there were a number of people who had it in for Mr. Taylor. People keep saying QV would have been better with Gregory Peck. Peck was a fine actor but I don’t think he had the charisma to dominate the screen the way Mr. T did in QV. Mr. Taylor could fill up a huge screen with his personality. “Valley of the Kings” is available on an imported DVD but you have to have a region free player. I made an extra copy by mistake and you’re welcome to it if you want it. There is a hissing in some of the late scenes and I thought it was my recording. It turns out it was the lanterns they were using. They actually hissed. Duh! One of my favorite lines is “This is the first time a woman has ever come to my room to TALK.”
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When I saw quo vadis for the first time was 12 years and never been able to forget the representation of robert taylor marcus vinicius as no one has been able to overcome. I did love that movie and the book
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I love the movie and the book too. Thanks for writing.
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I’m French, I’m 22 years old today, I’ve just seen Quo Vadis and I’ve just melt for Robert Taylor. His adorable face, his magnificent blue eyes, his kindle gestures and manly body as a Roman soldier make me think about the beauty of our civilization and our people.
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I love Quo Vadis too. Mr. Taylor was extremely talented and perfect for the role of Marcus Vinicius. Merci for writing.
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Hello, friends !
I`m looking for the fans of WONDERFUL american actor ROBERT TAYLOR ! There`s no like him !!! !!!
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This is a good place to look for Robert Taylor fans. Check out the Fan Art section where there are drawings by Lina in Moscow. Thanks for writing.
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He used to come to Farnam, NE. To hunt pheasants and stayed in our old house that still sits there today
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That’s so interesting. What was he like?
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I have been a Robert Taylor fan all my life. I loved to know when I was a kid that he was a very good friend of one of my others favorite, Clark Gable.
But, I have never found a picture with him and another of his friends, John Wayne. Is there any somewhere?
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I have been a Robert Taylor fan all my life. I loved to know when I was a kid that he was a very good friend of another favorite of mine, Clark Gable.
But, I have never found a picture with him and another of his friends, John Wayne. Is there any somewhere?
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Excellent question. I don’t remember ever seeing them in a photo together. I’ve seen Mr. Taylor with Gary Cooper, another friend, but not with Mr. Wayne. Thanks for writing. Judith
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Excellent question. I’ve seen Mr. Taylor in photos with a lot of other actors, including Gary Cooper, but not with John Wayne. Thanks for writing. Judith
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Hi, this is so interesting to me. I am an amateur genealogist and was recently working on my beautiful daughter in law’s family tree. Through her maternal grandmother, I found a connection to the Brugh family. I was particularly intrigued with following the line to Nebraska because I knew my hubby’s great grandparents emigrated there from the Alsace Lorraine. Well, amazingly to me, I discovered that my DIL’s 4x great grandparents Spangler Brugh and Nancy Shick Brugh are buried in the same cemetery in Fremont, Nebraska as my son’s 2 X great grandparents. And they lived in the small town at the same time, so they very well could have known each other. Not so great a coincidence except for the fact that both of our families have always lived in Southern California. When I excitedly sent this info to my hubby’s second cousin, he did a little research on his own and discovered the connection to Robert Taylor. And that is when I realized that my daughter in law’s grandmother was Robert Taylor’s first cousin! She passed away in 2010 but her husband, my DIL’s grandfather is still going strong at 93. I saw him at Easter and he said yeah he met him several times and he was a good-looking guy. But then he very sweetly added, that his wife was gorgeous, too!
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How fascinating–especially finding a relative who had met Mr. Taylor. Tessa Taylor, Mr. Taylor’s daughter and your relative, has a facebook page and you could tell her about the connection if you like. Thanks so much for writing. Judith
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I have something to add, Robert Taylor was friends with my great grandfather Orvil Robertson out of Grant’s Pass Oregon. My ggrandfather was a river guide on the Rouge river and Mr. Taylor would bring his children and raft the river with Orvil as their guide. We just published Orvils biography. We have a few pictures of Mr. Taylor and his children.
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There is even a part where Orvil talks about getting a phone call from Robert from England while he was filming Ivanho
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Wow.
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Mr. Crawford, is there any chance of seeing those pictures? Also, is the book available on Amazon. What is the title and who is the author?
This is fascinating stuff. Thank you so much for writing. Judith
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the book is called “Rogue River Guide and His Gold” by Orval Robertson and James Magmer
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You can contact me at the email I provided
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Thank you. Judith
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Will do. Judith
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I’m an expert writer who loves to bring smiles to people’s face.
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Good luck to you, but I do my own writing. Judith
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What an amazing biography of Robert Taylor’s family history!!! I am sad to say the 1st time I seen him in a show was the series of Walter Longmire! I loved the way it ended but at the same time disappointed because the show was over. He was such a great character in it and was always so patient!! He had a good heart !! I do hope he will find another series to be in….I’m not ready for him to leave acting!!
Thank you for giving us a chance to watch something that was not full of words the kids shouldn’t hear!!!
God bless you all….
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Vicky, you’ve got your Robert Taylors confused. My site is about an American actor who died in 1969. The Australian Robert Taylor played Longmire. He did say, in an interview, that he hoped that he would be as successful as the American Robert Taylor. There’s no reason you can’t like both of them. Thanks for writing. Judith
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She is he Robert Taylor’s son?
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Robert Taylor’s son is named Terry. He is, among other things, a poet. Judith
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Wow this is a wonderful read on my grandfathers cousin life and story! What a wonderful man and family member i have
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Yes, you do. You’re lucky to have such a fine man in your family. Thanks for writing. Judith
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I retired 6 yrs ago. Started to watch Grit TV. I Love Western Movies🤠 My Favorite Actor is Robert Taylor. I Tell My Husband
“What a Good Looking Man”
All the Movies I’ve seen with
Robert Taylor, I Love Them All😍
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He was wonderful, wasn’t he, Mary? I love how many different kinds of roles he could play and make them all believable. Thanks for writing. Judith
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Love this bio of Robert Taylor. I am a distant relative of his, being Michael Brugh. My dad was probably a third cousin and fought in WWII also.
It is a thrill to read about his demeanor and his respect for his parents. We Brugh’s were brought up the same way, so it must be a family thing, ha ha!
Wish I could reach out to Tessa and Terry and say hi!
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I think Robert Taylor represented the Brugh family with grace and integrity. You’re right to be proud of him. Judith
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