What Was Robert Urich’s Net Worth?
Robert Urich, an American actor and producer, had a net worth of $4 million at the time of his death in 2002. He starred in 15 TV shows during his 30-year career, including “S.W.A.T.,” “Vega$,” and “Spenser: For Hire.” He also narrated over 100 episodes of “National Geographic Explorer.” Urich had more than 80 acting credits, including “Magnum Force” and “Endangered Species.” He served as a producer on several TV movies and starred in a Broadway production of “Chicago” in 2000. Sadly, Robert died of synovial cell sarcoma at the age of 55.
Early Life and Education
Robert Michael Urich was born on December 19, 1946, in Toronto, Ohio. He grew up in a Catholic household with several siblings and was an athlete in high school. Urich earned a football scholarship to Florida State University, where he played as a second-string safety on the team and joined the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He graduated in 1968 with a bachelor’s degree in Radio and Television Communications and later earned his master’s degree in Broadcast Research and Management from Michigan State University. Urich started his career as a salesman at WGN-TV in Chicago and briefly worked as a TV weatherman.
Robert Urich’s Acting Career
Robert Urich started his acting career after appearing in the play “The Rainmaker” with Burt Reynolds, who encouraged him to move to L.A. He made his TV debut in a 1972 episode of “The F.B.I.,” and in 1973, he appeared in his first film, “Magnum Force,” and starred as Bob Sanders on the ABC sitcom “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.”
In the ’70s, Robert also appeared in TV movies and guest-starred on various shows like “Gunsmoke,” “The Love Boat,” and “Charlie’s Angels.” From 1975 to 1976, he starred as Officer Jim Street on the ABC crime drama “S.W.A.T.,” then he played Peter ‘The Tennis Player’ on ABC’s “Soap” (1977) and Paul Thurston on the “Bewitched” spin-off “Tabitha” (1978–1981). From 1978 to 1981, Urich starred as Dan Tanna on the ABC crime drama “Vega$,” which earned him two Golden Globe nominations.
After the cancellation of “Vega$,” Robert signed a contract with Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM) and appeared in several films and TV movies. He starred as Robert Gavilan on NBC’s “Gavilan” from 1982 to 1983 and Spenser on ABC’s “Spenser: For Hire” from 1985 to 1988. In the ’90s, he appeared in the film “Jock: A True Tale of Friendship” (1994) and several TV movies.
Robert played various roles on TV shows like “American Dreamer,” “Crossroads,” “It Had to Be You,” “The Lazarus Man,” and “Love Boat: The Next Wave.” In 2000, Urich sued Castle Rock Entertainment, the production company behind “The Lazarus Man,” for breach of contract, alleging that they cancelled the series because of his cancer diagnosis. In the last few years of Robert’s life, he appeared in the film “Clover Bend” (2002) and the TV movies “Late Boomers,” “For Love of Olivia,” “The President’s Man: A Line in the Sand,” and “Night of the Wolf.” He also played Jerry McKenney on the 2001 NBC sitcom “Emeril,” and his final TV movie, “A Long Way Home,” aired in 2003.
Robert Urich’s Marriages and Family
Robert Urich was married twice during his lifetime. His first marriage was to actress Barbara Rucker from 1968 to 1974. After their divorce, he married actress Heather Menzies on November 25, 1975. Heather was best known for her role as Louisa von Trapp in 1965’s “The Sound of Music.” Robert and Heather adopted three children, son Ryan and daughters Allison and Emily. The couple remained together until Robert’s death in 2002. Heather later died of brain cancer in 2017.
Robert Urich’s Cancer Advocacy and Legacy
In 1996, Robert Urich was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma and became an advocate for cancer research. He founded the Robert and Heather Urich Fund for Sarcoma Research and donated his winnings from “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire” to the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center. He was declared cancer-free in 1998 and became the American Cancer Society’s national spokesperson. However, in 2001, lumps were found in his body and he was admitted to the hospital with breathing problems in 2002. He passed away at the age of 55. Urich’s legacy includes the Robert Urich Scholarship at Park City High School’s Eccles Performing Arts Centers.
Accolades and Awards
Robert Urich earned two Golden Globe nominations for “Vega$,” Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama in 1980 and Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama in 1981. He also received two Bravo Otto nominations for Best Male TV Star, winning in 1980, and a Golden Boot at the 1997 Golden Boot Awards.
In addition, Urich won a CableACE Award for Magazine Host for “National Geographic Explorer” in 1993, and he was also nominated in that category the following year. In 1995, he was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his contributions to the entertainment industry.
Tony Danza buys Urich’s Sherman Oaks farmhouse for $1.56 million
In 1986, actor Tony Danza purchased Robert Urich’s Sherman Oaks farmhouse for $1.56 million. Urich and his wife Heather had sold the property not long before to move to Massachusetts. The family chose to relocate to Boston because “Spenser: For Hire” was filmed there.
