Robert Preston

Very few men have been able to accomplish that which Robert Preston has in the world of musical theater. Preston, once referred to by Richard Burton as "the best American actor--with a voice like golden thunder", has had a very strong impact on the American Musical (Barnes and Noble) Most famous for his role in one of the all time favorite musicals, The Music Man, Preston first participated in a number of films as well as television series throughout the 1940's and 1950's. It wasn't until his role in 1962 as con-artist Harold Hill in The Music Man that Preston was able to truly establish himself. From that point on Preston continued to prove himself as one of the top male musical performers of his time period, and arguably all time. The combination of Robert Preston's powerful voice along with his very appealing charisma allowed him to reach great success in a number of his performances, the best one being The Music Man.

Robert Preston Meservey was born on June 8th, 1918 in Newton Highlands, Massachusetts, and died March 21st, 18987 in Montecito California. He and his family then moved to Los Angeles where his parents worked as a record store clerk and garment worker (Encyclopaedia Brittanica). Preston became interested in music at a very early age. He was an extremely talented musician and able to play many different instruments by the age of fifteen. He then decided he was interested in theater and acting. In order to pursue his interest in theater Preston joined the Pasadena Playhouse where he learned a great deal about scores as well as acting. This also provided him the opportunity to work along side other great performers such as: Dana Andrews, George Reeves, Victor Mature, and Don DeFore. Shortly after being exposed Robert Preston Meservey signed a contract with a Paramount talent scout in which his last name of Meservey was dropped, and he was simply known as Robert Preston. Preston played numerous roles in minor films, many which were directed by Cecil B. DeMille, who became one of Preston's biggest fans. However, Preston's musical career was temporarily placed on hold while he served his country in WWII. After returning from war, Preston played a number of different supporting roles before being able reach his stardom.

Listing all of Preston's characters throughout his life span would be quite excessive. Nevertheless there are a number of highlights that sum up Preston's success in his musical and acting career. He first made his Broadway debut acting in 1938 playing the role of a sailor, Robert MacArthur, in The King of Alcatraz. Although this opened the door for many opportunities for Preston, it wasn't for nearly another twenty years before he was able to earn a large amount of recognition. It was twenty years after his debut on Broadway when Preston made his first appearance starring as the "The Music Man" in a stage performance. From this point on Robert Preston became a well known in homes across the country. Preston starred in a number of different performances of The Music Man, including the feature film in 1962. Another milestone of Preston's career was the musical I Do! I Do!, in which he costarred with Mary Martin. This musical is very significant in Preston's career because it consisted only of a cast of two, Martin and Preston, and only one setting. Never before had Broadway attempted to keep two characters on stage for the duration of a show. Preston's next high point in his career came in 1982 while performing in the film Victor/Victoria, which might be Preston's most famous work next to The Music Man. Not only is Preston's role in this film noteworthy because of his Oscar Nomination, but this was also Preston's last time playing a lead role in a motion picture. The final significant event in Robert Preston's career came in 1984 in the film The Last Starfight in which Preston played the role of a character named Centauri. Although this performance hails in comparison to some of Preston's other works, it was however his last performance on the big screen.

Preston's performance in The Music Man is indisputably his most exceptional work. The musical itself is well-liked for many different reasons, one of which is undeniably Preston's role as the main character, Professor Harold Hill. Preston's characterization of Hill is a perfect combination of confidence, charm, wittiness, and sensitivity, which is why many argue that Preston was born to play this role (Internet Movie Database). Preston