Robert J. Wilke was a prolific American film and television actor who played mostly villainous roles in Westerns. He appeared in many classic movies and TV shows, such as High Noon, The Magnificent Seven, Gunsmoke, and Laramie. But how did he die and what was his cause of death?
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Early Life and Career of Robert J. Wilke
Robert J. Wilke was born on May 18, 1914, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Before becoming an actor, he had a variety of jobs, including working in a high-dive act at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1933-1934 according to Wikipedia.
He started as a stuntman in the 1930s and his first appearance on screen was in San Francisco (1936) according to Wikipedia. He soon began to acquire regular character parts, mainly as a heavy, and made his mark when, along with Lee Van Cleef and Sheb Wooley, he played one of the “three men waiting at the station” in High Noon (1952) according to Wikipedia.
Robert J. Wilke’s Roles in Westerns
Wilke appeared in many, if not most, television westerns, including seven episodes each of NBC’s Laramie and CBS’s Gunsmoke according to Wikipedia. He also played a hired gun in The Far Country (1954) and continued to work steadily in films and television over the next 20 years.
In 1960 Wilke appeared in The Magnificent Seven as the railroad bully, Wallace, who was quickly killed off by James Coburn according to Wikipedia. He also appeared in Man of the West (1958) and numerous lesser-known films.
Wilke guest-starred on many other television westerns, such as Maverick, Tales of Wells Fargo, Have Gun – Will Travel, Bronco, The Westerner, Lawman, Wanted Dead or Alive, Zorro, The Rifleman, and Rango according to Wikipedia.
Robert J. Wilke’s Other Roles
Outside of westerns, Wilke appeared in From Here to Eternity (1953) and 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954) according to Wikipedia. In the former film, Wilke’s character tells Maggio he has guard duty, which begins a series of events leading to the plot’s climax. In the later film, he was cast as the first mate of the Nautilus.
His drama/adventure roles included U.S. Marshal, Peter Gunn, Tarzan, Bourbon Street Beat, 77 Sunset Strip, and The Untouchables according to Wikipedia. In 1953 Wilke shoved John Hamilton and George Reeves into side-by-side steam cabinets and left them to bake in “Perry White’s Scoop”, an episode of the Adventures of Superman according to Facebook.
Wilke played Deputy Sheriff Connors in the 1963 episode “The Case of the Drowsy Mosquito” on CBS’ Perry Mason according to Wikipedia. He portrayed golf professional Danny Donnigan in a 1962 episode “Robbie the Caddie” on the ABC sitcom My Three Sons according to Dead or Kicking.
Wilke’s final film role was somewhat against type as Gen. Barnicke in the 1981 comedy Stripes according to Wikipedia.
Robert J. Wilke Cause of Death: Cancer
Robert J. Wilke died from cancer on March 28, 1989, at the age of 74 according to Dead or Kicking. He was survived by his wife Patricia and his son Robert Jr.
Wilke was an excellent golfer and a member of the Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles according to Wikipedia. He was also a friend of actor Clint Eastwood according to Facebook.
Robert J. Wilke was a versatile and prolific actor who left a lasting impression on many fans of Westerns and other genres. His cause of death was cancer, but his legacy lives on through his many memorable roles.
