TJ
06-01-2006, 11:23 PM
http://www.dailycomet.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060531/APN/605310530
Robert Sterling, the handsome star of 1940s movies who appeared with
his wife Anne Jeffreys in the television series "Topper," died Tuesday
at his Brentwood home. He was 88.
He died of natural causes, said his son, Jeffrey Sterling, following a
decade-long battle with shingles. His wife and other close relatives
were at his bedside.
"He hung in there, never complained," his son said.
Although he appeared in dozens of movies, Robert Sterling was best
known for the 1953-1956 TV series "Topper," based on the Thorne Smith
novel, and the 1937 film starring Cary Grant and Constance Bennett.
Sterling and Jeffreys played George and Marion Kirby, a fun-loving
couple killed in an accident but returned as ghosts to haunt the new
occupant of their home, a banker named Cosmo Topper.
Robert Sterling was born William Hart in November 13, 1917 in New
Castle, Pa., the son of Chicago Cubs catcher William S. Hart. He
attended college in Pennsylvania and worked as a clothing salesman
before breaking into movies.
He proved a versatile player, especially in romantic roles, and
appeared in five films in 1941, including the romantic comedy
"Two-Faced Woman" with Greta Garbo and "The Penalty" with Lionel
Barrymore.
After "Topper," Sterling retired from acting to become a businessman
and worked in the early stages of computers.
Sterling was married to actress Ann Sothern from 1943 to 1949 and they
had a daughter, actress Tisha Sterling.
He married Anne Jeffreys in 1951 and they had three sons: Jeffrey, Dana
and Tyler. Sterling also is survived by six grandchildren.
Robert Sterling @ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827577/
Robert Sterling, the handsome star of 1940s movies who appeared with
his wife Anne Jeffreys in the television series "Topper," died Tuesday
at his Brentwood home. He was 88.
He died of natural causes, said his son, Jeffrey Sterling, following a
decade-long battle with shingles. His wife and other close relatives
were at his bedside.
"He hung in there, never complained," his son said.
Although he appeared in dozens of movies, Robert Sterling was best
known for the 1953-1956 TV series "Topper," based on the Thorne Smith
novel, and the 1937 film starring Cary Grant and Constance Bennett.
Sterling and Jeffreys played George and Marion Kirby, a fun-loving
couple killed in an accident but returned as ghosts to haunt the new
occupant of their home, a banker named Cosmo Topper.
Robert Sterling was born William Hart in November 13, 1917 in New
Castle, Pa., the son of Chicago Cubs catcher William S. Hart. He
attended college in Pennsylvania and worked as a clothing salesman
before breaking into movies.
He proved a versatile player, especially in romantic roles, and
appeared in five films in 1941, including the romantic comedy
"Two-Faced Woman" with Greta Garbo and "The Penalty" with Lionel
Barrymore.
After "Topper," Sterling retired from acting to become a businessman
and worked in the early stages of computers.
Sterling was married to actress Ann Sothern from 1943 to 1949 and they
had a daughter, actress Tisha Sterling.
He married Anne Jeffreys in 1951 and they had three sons: Jeffrey, Dana
and Tyler. Sterling also is survived by six grandchildren.
Robert Sterling @ http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0827577/