Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Robert Culp: 1930 - 2010



A man's man and one sexy beast, Robert Culp will forever be in my heart for his hilarious portrayal of FBI agent Bill Maxwell on the Greatest American Hero. He may have broke boundaries when he teamed up with Bill Cosby for the excellent progressive action series I Spy, but I'll always remember him as the frustrated and befuddled Maxwell, who always managed to get the word "scenario" into every episode.

In the world of TV movies, Robert is probably best known for A Cold Night's Death (1973) and Outrage (also 1973). Wow, Robert made 1973 completely awesome!

Here's a link to my review of The Calendar Girl Murders, which I wrote for Camp Blood.

Mr. Culp was one cool cat. I will miss him immensely.



6 comments:

le0pard13 said...

You and I both. I'm older so my memories tended toward his work in the 60's and 70's (THE OUTER LIMITS, the various guest appearances in various series, I SPY, etc.). But, Maxwell in the GREATEST AMERICAN HERO was why I watched that show later in life. You noted two fine TV movies he starred in, but don't forget the 1974 TV pic "Houston, We Have a Problem". It covered those on the ground during the ill-fated Apollo 13 mission. He was very good in it, too.

"Mr. Culp was one cool cat."

So very true, Amanda. Thanks for this.

Kerry said...

Every blurb I've been reading upon his sad death has only been referencing I Spy and every time I want to scream, "BUT WHAT ABOUT THE GREATEST AMERICAN HERO????"

I'm a child of the 80s. The Greatest American Hero is where my Robert Culp love lies.

Mitch said...

I have mentioned this on a few forums, and no one seems to be familiar with "A Name For Evil". It's a very strange ghost story that he did with Samantha Eggar around 75/76. It's a really slow film, but very atmospheric and trippy, and it shows Culp go "the full Monty"!!

W.B. Kelso said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
W.B. Kelso said...

Back in the day I always kind of hoped Culp and Gig Young would do a sequel to "Spectre". And then maybe team up with Leonard Nimoy and Susan Hampshire for "The Baffled Spectre."

Amanda By Night said...

Mitch, I have A Name for Evil and haven't seen it yet. I'm not sure I want to see that much of Mr. Culp! :)

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. He was so well loved, it's obvious. I'm glad he's going to be remembered...

btw WB: The Baffled Spectre = hilarious!