Robert Taylor Actor

Debra Paget, actress. “(Taylor) was excited about playing the villain in the film (The Last Hunt). He played such a different and difficult part and he did it very well. He really was quite a fine actor, which some critics seemed to forget because he was so handsome.” Tranberg

Robert Taylor and Debra Paget in "The Last Hunt," 1955

Fess Parker, actor. “I enjoyed (working with Taylor) greatly. He was a legend and I grew up watching his films. He sort of did his own thing and I did mine. That’s not to say he was standoffish or anything like that. He was just reserved. But we would sit side by side on the western street between scenes, and he was pleasant but not forthcoming. We would shoot the breeze about his ranch and horses.” Tranberg

Joe Pasternak, producer. “(Taylor was) the nicest guy in the picture business….he stays out of trouble, does his job and does it well, and the crew loves him.” Tranberg

Robert Pirosh,director. “I was not good at handling the Robert Taylors of the business. If the actor is more powerful with the studio than the director, it’s serious trouble for the director. Then the director has to make tremendous compromises and go through all sorts of agony and develops ulcers. I knew that sooner or later I was going to drop out of directing. TCM article Valley of the Kings.

"Valley of he Kings," directed by Robert Pirosh, 1954

Lawrence J. Quirk, author. (Taylor) was a true gentleman and a finer artist than he would admit to himself or to others. He was well educated, socially tactful, kind and highly intelligent….An American to the core, he loved his land, kept the faith and looked for the best.” L.J. Quirk, The Films of Robert Taylor, 1975, page 11, 12.

Ralph, actor, stand-in for Taylor on The Detectives. “I’m often asked what was Bob like or what was it like to work with him. As huge as he was on screen, on the set his presence was equally imposing. An aura of self-assurance and kindness coupled with incredible stage presence and talent is one recollection….he went out of his way to relax any day player who showed signs of nervousness or stage fright brought on by working with him; extremely courteous to all around him. Unlike other big stars I worked with, Bob never lost his cool or showed any signs of anger.’ ralphm1999@wordpress.com

"The Detectives" 1959-1962

Paula Raymond, actress. “I’ve heard it (Devil’s Doorway) was one of Bob Taylor’s favorite pictures because for once he was able to play a different type of character. He was the charming leading man in most of his pictures. He was a nice guy. Easy to work with. Professional.” Tranberg

Nicholas Ray, director. “(in his youth, he) “first saw the favorite actor then, Paul Muni. My impression was that he was always playing in front of a mirror. Then came Camille and Robert Taylor, pale, handsome, remote. Two decades later I saw Taylor working for me like a true Method actor….I wanted Taylor to feel the injury, so that he could be aware of what part of his body the pain was in at all times when he moved.” Ray took Taylor to an osteopath to prepare. “After that, he needed no kind of aid to create his limping. It is only rarely that you find this kind of ambition and humbleness which Taylor stood for.” Tranberg

Ronald Reagan, actor, President of the United States. “Perhaps each one of us has his own different memory, but somehow they all add up to ‘nice man.’” Eulogy for Robert Taylor, June 11, 1969.

Robert Taylor was Ronald Reagan's best friend in Hollywood.