Robert Karnes


Robert Anthony Karnes was an American film, stage and television actor.

Life and career

Karnes was born in Kentucky. He served in World War II, during which he toured the Pacific with the Maurice Evans Troupe's production of Hamlet. He began his screen career in 1946, appearing in the film The Bamboo Blonde in the uncredited role of a nightclub patron. His film career stalled when he was blacklisted because of his earlier political associations.
Karnes guest-starred in numerous television programs including Gunsmoke, Bonanza, Cheyenne, The Twilight Zone, The Waltons, The Rockford Files, M*A*S*H, The Streets of San Francisco, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, Emergency!, Perry Mason, The Andy Griffith Show, The Fugitive, The Untouchables, Mission: Impossible, and Ironside, among others. He also starred, co-starred and appeared in films such as Miracle on 34th Street, Trapped, Gentleman's Agreement, Three Husbands, According to Mrs. Hoyle, Half Human, Scudda Hoo! Scudda Hay!, Road House, When My Baby Smiles at Me, Hills of Oklahoma, Stagecoach to Fury, Inside the Walls of Folsom Prison, From Here to Eternity, and Fear No More. In 1959, he starred as Max Fields in the NBC crime drama television series The Lawless Years, starring along with James Gregory.
In 1953 Karnes played a lead role in the stage play John Loves Mary in San Francisco, California, leaving the cast to appear in the film From Here to Eternity. His final credit was from the television film Bogie.

Death

Karnes died on December 4, 1979 of heart failure, at his home in Sherman Oaks, California, at the age of 62.

Filmography

  • Road House - Mike
  • From Here to Eternity - Sergeant Turp Thornhill
  • Alfred Hitchcock Presents
  • * - Ed Mungo
  • * - Police Sergeant Henderson
  • * - Patrolman
  • * - Mr. Simon
  • * - Sergeant
  • Gunsmoke
  • * - Starret
  • Wagon Train - Luke
  • Sea Hunt
  • * - Captain Greg Evans
  • * - Helff
  • * - US Coast Guard Commander Flint
  • Rawhide
  • * - Mel Simmons
  • * - Sheriff
  • Bat Masterson
  • * - Landry
  • * - Marshal
  • Cheyenne - Matt Walsh
  • The Alfred Hitchcock Hour
  • * - Police Sergeant
  • * - Sergeant
  • * - Sergeant Bryant
  • The Andy Griffith Show - Jack
  • The Fugitive
  • * - Sheriff Ralls
  • * - Chief Chuck Abbott
  • The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
  • * - Colonel Hawks
  • * - Captain
  • * - Captain
  • Mannix - Walter Drake
  • Tora! Tora! Tora! - Major John H. Dillon, Knox's Aide
  • Columbo
  • * - Grover
  • * - Sergeant Vernon
  • The Virginian – Hendricks
  • Glass Houses
  • Executive Action - Man at Rifle Range
  • M*A*S*H
  • * - Colonel
  • * - General Fred Fox
  • Gable and Lombard - Gable's Director
  • The Domino Principle - Lefty
  • Billy Jack Goes to Washington - Bailey Associate
  • Charlie's Angels - Gordon Sanders
  • Benson - Mr. Keller