Robert Wagner

American actor, probably best known as "Jonathan Hart" on the long-running TV series "Hart to Hart." The show, built around the chemistry between Wagner and his co-star, Stephanie Powers, ran from 1979 to 1983 and became internationally popular.

The son of a Detroit steel executive, Wagner had plans to become a businessman like his father. The family’s move to Los Angeles, however, exposed him to the film industry, and soon he was dreaming of being an actor. He visited the big name studios on a regular basis and eventually was noticed by a talent scout. Wagner’s boyish handsomeness, his easy-going charm and his remarkable physique were responsible for getting him a part in "The Happy Years," 1950, as well as a contract with 20th Century Fox. He had no problem playing romantic roles and initially was known more for his charisma than his method. After his performance in "With a Song in My Heart," 1952, executives saw he could handle dramatic roles as well. In 1956, he portrayed a cold-blooded killer in "A Kiss Before Dying" and was so convincing in the role that studio heads were persuaded he could carry a feature film.

He continued to work steadily through the remainder of the 1950s and into the 1960s, but his movie career came to a standstill after he completed work on "The Pink Panther," 1964. Two years later he made a successful transition to the small screen with a leading role in "It Takes a Thief," which ran from 1968-70, and for the rest of his career, Wagner found his greatest success in television. Since their days together on "Hart to Hart," Wagner and Powers have toured together, performing A.R. Gurney’s "Love Letters" around the world.

In June 2000, Wagner filed a lawsuit against Aaron Spelling Productions, charging that he was cheated out of profits from the popular TV series, "Beverly Hills 90210." The profits were part of a settlement that resulted from the use of a pilot he had submitted to Spelling in the early 1970s.