Robert Fuller today: Net worth, children, wife

Deep “charcoal” voice, stunning blue eyes, loving gentleness, and determined strength – Robert Fuller had it all.

Known for his iconic roles in Emergency! and Laramie, the legendary actor captured hearts with his performances as the compassionate Dr. Kelly Brackett and the strong yet tender Jess Harper.

But what happened to one of the greatest American cowboys to ever grace our screens?

A nomadic childhood

Robert Fuller, born Leonard Leroy Lee on July 29, 1933, in Troy, New York, was raised during a time of economic hardship in the U.S.

The year 1933 marked the height of the Great Depression, which shaped the future of many Americans, including Fuller. When Robert was 10 years old, his parents divorced. Shortly after, his mother remarried Robert Simpson, a man who Fuller would later come to view as his real father.

Fuller’s early years were filled with a love for acting and dancing, thanks to his mother, Elizabeth, a dance instructor. While living in Troy, New York, the young boy also developed a lifelong passion for fishing and hunting, activities that has remain close to his heart throughout his life. But Fuller had a nomadic childhood, moving between various places and schools all the time.

After moving to Key West and the family’s dance school in Florida, Fuller began his journey into performance, already known by the nickname “Buddy.”

The real truth about his name

In 1950, at just 16 years old, Robert Fuller moved with his family to Hollywood, California. His first job was as a stuntman, where his natural talent quickly became evident. Over time, Fuller developed a reputation as an expert horseman, a skill that would prove invaluable in his many Western roles.

Back in the golden era of Hollywood, it almost seemed like a rule to adopt a stage name, and Robert Fuller was no exception.

He cycled through a few before finally settling on Robert A. Fuller. The “A” had no special meaning — it was simply a placeholder to avoid any overlap with other members of the Screen Actors Guild. But the last name? That came from a distant ancestor who had sailed on the Mayflower and set foot on Plymouth Rock. It was the name that felt just right for the man who would soon become a beloved Western icon.

While working as a stuntman, Robert Fuller soon realized that the job didn’t pay well enough to support himself. To make ends meet, he took on various other jobs, one of which was as a doorman at a theater.

Serving in the United States Army

In the early 1950s, Robert Fuller began landing small roles in various films, and his career was on the rise. However, his progress was temporarily interrupted when he was called to serve in the United States Army during the Korean War. He returned in 1955 and quickly resumed his pursuit of acting.

”I always wanted to be in show business and with the help of my best buddy, Chuck Courtney, who was an actor then, he helped get me my first starring role in a movie called Teenage Thunder. It was a break for me, and since Chuck had the pull at the time to get the director, Paul Helmick, use me for the bad guy and not another actor that he really wanted. It was the gateway to many other roles, which led to the Laramie series and so on and so forth,” Fuller told emergencyfans.com.

Robert Fuller rose to fame during an era when Westerns were a staple of American television, airing almost every night of the week. His presence on screen defined what it meant to be a TV hero of the ’60s and ’70s.

Reflecting on his love for the genre, Fuller once remarked, “I should have lived a hundred years ago, back in the days of the real Old West.”

Was Robert Fuller in Bonanza?

The deep connection to the rugged cowboy lifestyle, both on and off screen, helped solidify his iconic status in the Western TV show Laramie. But did you know that Fuller was actually considered for a role that would go on to launch Michael Landon’s career – Joseph “Little Joe” Cartwright on Bonanza.

Despite Fuller’s charm, Landon snagged the part, and the rest is history.

But here’s where it gets interesting: as fate would have it, Fuller landed a co-starring role on Laramie shortly after, where he was paired with his good friend John Smith.

Unlike many other shows of its time, Laramie stood out because its two lead characters actually worked on the ranch. They did everything from chopping wood and washing dishes to feeding chickens and repairing roofs, adding a sense of authenticity rarely seen on TV.

100,000 fans greeted him in Japan

So, Laramie was not just another Western — it became an international sensation, capturing hearts in over 70 countries, with Japan being the most surprising and enthusiastic fanbase. When Robert Fuller visited Japan in 1961, the country rolled out the red carpet for him like a true superstar.

A whopping 100,000 fans greeted him at Haneda Airport, a reception that was so grand, even The Beatles wouldn’t experience such a welcome when they arrived five years later. During his visit, Fuller had the unique honor of dining with Japan’s Prime Minister, Hayato Ikeda.

After Laramie ended, Robert Fuller transitioned to another Western series, Wagon Train. However, as the 1960s progressed, the Western genre began to fade in popularity, leading Fuller to branch out into other types of roles and projects.

More than just swinging his fists

Robert Fuller was capable of more than just swinging his fists, drawing his gun, and nuzzling his horse, and he proved it when he took on the role of Dr. Kelly Brackett on Emergency! in 1972.

In the iconic series, Robert Fuller portrays the head of the Emergency Room staff at the fictional Rampart General Hospital, starring alongside Julie London and Bobby Troup. His part would go on to generate more fan mail and praise than any of his previous roles.

Fuller was pleasantly surprised by the positive reception. His physical presence — those thick shoulders, massive hands, deep voice, and piercing blue eyes — had always been associated with cowboys, so it was unclear how his shift away from the saddle would be received.

”I was unsure of how people would accept it,” he admitted to The Province in 1973.

Robert Fuller in Emergency

But Fuller also understood the importance of reinventing himself, moving beyond the Western typecast.

”I needed a new image – needed it badly. Since I joined this show I’ve learned that I lost a lot of good roles because I was typecast as a cowboy.”

Though Fuller had grown used to being recognized on the streets —especially after a frenzied reception from thousands of fans in Japan — it was Emergency! that truly elevated his fame.

”Even Laramie – which was on for four years – was never so popular,” Fuller reflected. ”In those days, though, a show could stay on the air without having to be a champion in the ratings. Today, it would probably have been cancelled much sooner.”

Broke his leg on set

The series Emergency! aired for seven successful seasons from 1972 to 1979 and became one of the most enjoyable acting experiences of Robert Fuller’s career.

Unlike the grueling schedules of his earlier Western series, the role of Dr. Kelly Brackett came with a more balanced workload. Robert Fuller has often described his time on Western series as incredibly demanding.

”I’d start working at seven in the morning and crawl home, dead tired at eight or nine at night,” Fuller recalled. ”I’d barely even have a chance to grab some dinner before I had to fall into bed to be fresh for the next morning.”

The pace was grueling, and after an on-set accident that left him with a broken leg, Fuller realized he was done. ”It was a mess. I learned a costly lesson from that.”

That’s why Fuller found his role on Emergency! so refreshing. Most of the scenes were filmed at Universal Studios, giving Fuller a much-needed balance between work and family life.

Robert Fuller wife

In 1962, Robert Fuller married Patricia “Patty” Lee Lyon, a former Indiana beauty queen, just as Wagon Train was wrapping up.

Together, they had two children, Bob Jr. and Christine. Unfortunately, they divorced in 1984, and Patty passed away from cancer in 1994.

Since May 19, 2001, Fuller has been happily married to actress Jennifer Savidge, known for her role on St. Elsewhere.

What happened to Robert Fuller?

Robert Fuller has called many places home throughout his life, from New York and Chicago to Florida, Los Angeles, and even the Bahamas. In the early 1980s, he relocated his family to the picturesque island nation while working on the series Fishing Fever. The show, which featured Hollywood celebrities joining Fuller for fishing adventures, was a perfect fit for his love of the sport.

However, when Fuller returned to the U.S., acting opportunities became scarce. By the 1990s, he had largely retired from the industry, with his final acting credit appearing in 2001.

In recent decades, Fuller has embraced a new chapter, attending Western-themed events and cowboy festivals. His contributions to the genre were officially recognized on April 12, 2008, when he was inducted into the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum in Oklahoma City.

Last notable mention

The last notable mention of Robert Fuller was on November 9, 2014, when he and his close friend and fishing companion, actor James Best, attended the 100th birthday celebration of their longtime friend and fellow actor Norman Lloyd in Los Angeles, California.

This gathering highlighted the enduring friendships Fuller had maintained throughout his career. Sadly, just a few months later, James Best passed away, marking the end of a cherished camaraderie.

How old is Robert Fuller now?

Actor Robert Fuller, born on July 29, 1933, is currently 91 years old. With his next birthday approaching on July 29, 2025, Fuller continues to hold a special place in the hearts of his fans.

Robert Fuller net worth

Robert Fuller is a retired American actor with an estimated net worth of $2 million.

Robert Fuller lives on a Texas ranch

Robert Fuller and his wife, actress Jennifer Savidge, eventually left the hustle of Los Angeles for the tranquility of northern Texas, where they settled on a ranch to raise horses.

The move was inspired by Fuller’s longtime friend and neighbor, Alex Cord, who encouraged the couple to relocate to Cooke County.

Fuller and Cord’s friendship dated back to 1961 when Cord made his television debut on an episode of Laramie, marking the start of a lasting bond forged during their Western adventures.

Turned down a role Yellowstone

Robert Fuller officially retired from acting in 2004, marking the end of a remarkable 52-year career in Hollywood.

In a recent 2023 interview, he confirmed that he has no plans to return to the industry, firmly closing the door on any potential comebacks.

“Absolutely not,” Fuller stated. “Fifty-two years is enough for me. I’ve been asked to go back to work many times, including Yellowstone. I turned them down. Besides, I don’t like the picture business anymore. I don’t like the people in it. I won’t go back to California. Period.”

But the legendary actor expressed his excitement that all three of his classic shows—Laramie, Wagon Train, and Emergency — are still airing and drawing in both old and new fans.

He admitted that he never expected his work to have such lasting power.

“Not in a hundred million years,” Fuller said. “It is amazing. The neat thing about it, particularly for Laramie, is it’s a whole brand new audience of people who have never seen that show. They are now enjoying Laramie. It’s been incredible.”

Robert Fuller’s journey from the rugged Western hero to a beloved TV star is nothing short of inspiring. As fans, we continue to cherish the roles he made unforgettable, from Laramie to Emergency, and even Wagon Train.

His performances not only entertained us but also captured hearts across generations, and it’s hard to believe that after all these years, his shows are still drawing in new fans. It’s clear that Robert Fuller’s impact on television will never fade – share this story on Facebook or other platforms if you agree!

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