Robert Prosky, the distinguished American character actor whose jovial, avuncular appearance belied an impressive range that could handle roles of comic aplomb to villainous menace with impressive depth, died in Washington D.C. on December 8 from complications from heart surgery. He was 77.

He was born Robert Joseph Porzuczek on December 13, 1930, in Philadelphia, PA. Hailing from a family of modest means, he was an economics major at Temple University who worked at his family's grocery shop and later as a bookkeeper at the Federal Reserve Bank while taking theater courses in New York. In 1958, his career was sparked when he played the Sheriff in the Washington Arena Stage revival of Ben Hecht's classic newspaper farce The Front Page. It started a 23-year run with the D.C. rep and Prosky's development as a character player.

His film debut was in Michael Mann's Thief (1981), and he was brutally effective as Leo, the ring leader of a group of diamond thieves. From there it opened up a three decade career with Prosky playing some key parts in several hit films: the sleazy garage owner who enjoys a grim fate behind the wheel in Christine (1983); as the Judge, the uncaring owner of a baseball team in the Robert Redford vehicle The Natural (1984); his funny turn as the drama teacher/spy to Bette Midler in Outrageous Fortune; the warmly paternalistic news executive in Broadcast News (both 1987); the kindly judge who gives the treacly Christmas story of Miracle on 34th Street (1994) much needed weight; and his profound presence as the pro bono lawyer who represents Sean Penn in Dean Man Walking (1995).

Prosky was a consummate pro who also kept himself busy on Broadway, scoring two Tony award nominations for Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and A Walk in the Woods (1988). Fans of the small screen remember him as desk sergeant Stan Jablonski for a three season run on Hill Street Blues (1984-87) and a sweet comic take as Kirsty Alley's father in the short lived sitcom Veronica's Closet (1997-98). He is survived by his wife of 48 years, Ida; three sons, In 1960, Stefan, John and Andrew; and three grandchildren.

by Michael T. Toole