ROBERT WALKER BIOGRAPHY & FILMOGRAPHY:

Robert Walker was born on October 13th, 1918 in Salt Lake City, Utah with the birth name Robert Hudson Walker.  He was the youngest of four boys in the family.  His father, Horace Walker worked as a news editor for the local newspaper.  At a young age his parents divorced and this had a great effect on his behavior in school.  He was expelled numerous times and in order for his parents to control his behavioral problems and teach him self confidence they got him involved in acting.  He was cast in the lead in a school play at the San Diego Army and Navy Academy at Carlsbad-by-the-Sea, California. 

His aunt, Hortense Odlum offered to pay for him to attend the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City in 1937.  in 1939, he moved with his first wife to Hollywood, California in search of work in the film industry, however with no luck in their search, they soon returned back to New York.  He eventually found work in radio and his wife, Phylis stayed home raising two young sons.  However, she soon tried her luck again at the Hollywood scene and was discovered by producer, David O. Selznick whom hired her for Twentieth Century Fox.  The two soon began an affair. She remained married for a bit longer to Walker bringing him over to California where he was able to get work in the film industry as well thanks to Selznick.
 
Walker secured a contract with MGM and first debuted on the film drama, "Bataan" (1943).  Critics liked his look and boyish appearance and he was able to secure more roles on films such as, "Since You Went Away", "See Here, Private Hargrove" (both 1944) and "Her Highness and the Bellboy" (1945).    

Eventually, Walker's first marriage came to an end when it became public knowledge that his wife was having an ongoing affair with Selznick.  The divorce began to take a toll on Walker emotionally even though he did continue to work in Hollywood getting cast next on the film, "The Clock" ( 1945), "Till the Clouds Roll By" (1946) and "Songs of Love" (1947). 
 
Soon after, he had a nervous breakdown and in 1949 was admitted to the Menninger Clinic where he was treated for psychiatric disorder.  Even upon his release from the center, he never quite overcame his depression and addiction to alcohol, but did continue to work in the industry and try to move on with his life. 
  
His next film role was on, "Strangers on a Train" (1951) which was considered to be one of his best roles portraying a psychopathic Bruno Anthony.  It was this film that finely helped him put his emotional issues in the past and his career was now heading in the right direction.  His final film role was in, "My Son John" (1952).
 
Soon an unexpected tragedy took place when on August 28th, 1951, Walkers housekeeper found him in his home in a disillusioned state and when she called his doctor for help he was administered a sedative which in turn caused him to have an allergic reaction and he passed away in Los Angeles, California. He is interred at Washington Heights Memorial Park in Ogden, UT.
    
Robert Walker married three times throughout his life.  First to, Jennifer Jones on January 2nd, 1939 through June 20th, 1945 and the couple had two children together, Robert Walker Jr. and Michael Walker whom both became actors as well in their adult lives.  He then married Barbara Ford from July 8th, 1948 and they remained together until December 16th, 1948.  His final marriage was to Hann Landy from July 25th, 1950 through his death on August 28th.
 
 
Filmography

1952   My Son John 
1951   Strangers on a Train 
1951   Vengeance Valley 
1950   The Skipper Surprised His Wife 
1950   Please Believe Me 
1950   Military Academy with That Tenth Avenue Gang 
1949   Black Midnight 
1949   Law of the Barbary Coast 
1949   My Own True Love  
1949   Rhapsody of Negro Life
1948   Miraculous Journey
1948   One Touch of Venus
1948   Arthur Takes Over 
1947   Song of Love 
1947   The Sea of Grass 
1947   The Beginning or the End  
1946   Till the Clouds Roll By 
1946   Do You Love Me 
1946   Midnight Menace 
1945   The Sailor Takes a Wife 
1945   What Next, Corporal Hargrove?
1945   Her Highness and the Bellboy 
1945   The Clock
1944   Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo 
1944   Since You Went Away 
1944   See Here, Private Hargrove  
1943   Madame Curie 
1943   Bataan
1939   Dancing Co-Ed
1939   These Glamour Girls  
1939   Winter Carnival