Likable, craggy-faced, heavy-set stage veteran who became a busy character actor in film and TV of the 1980s and 90s. After 23 seasons as a resident actor with the Arena Stage Theater in Washington, DC, Prosky made his film debut as an initially ingratiating gangster in Michael Mann's "Thief" (1981). He came to prominence as the endearing Sgt. Jablonski who replaced Michael Conrad's Sgt. Esterhaus ("Let's be careful out there!") at the opening of each episode of TV's "Hill Street Blues." Prosky became a familiar TV face in a succession of TV movies, pilots, and guest spots.
Prosky's 80s feature credits include "Christine" (1983), "The Natural" (1984), "Broadcast News" (1987) and David Mamet's "Things Change" (1988) where he turned in a memorable performance as the avuncular mob boss. Prosky kept busy in the 90s providing sturdy support in a diverse group of films including "Gremlins 2: The New Batch" and "Green Card" (both 1990) and "Hoffa" and "Far and Away" (both 1992). 1993 found him in "The Last Action Hero", as a kindly old projectionist with a magic ticket, "Rudy", as a supportive priest, and "Mrs. Doubtfire", as a TV producer who helps out Robin Williams.
- Also Credited As:
Robert Porzuczek
- Born:
December 13, 1930 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
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Job Titles:
Actor, Acting teacher, Grocer
Family
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Father: Joseph Porzuczek.
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Mother: Helen Porzuczek.
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Son: Andrew Prosky.
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Son: John Patrick Prosky.
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Son: Stefan Prosky.
Education
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American Theatre Wing, New York, New York
Milestones
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1945 At age 15, played the stage manager in a high school production of "Our Town"
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1981 Feature acting debut, "Thief"
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1984 Joined the cast of "Hill Street Blues" as Sgt. Stanislaus Jablonski
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1984 Nominated for a Tony Award for his performance in David Mamet's "Glengarry Glen Ross"
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1988 Starred opposite Sam Waterston in Lee Blessing's Broadway drama "A Walk in the Woods"; earned second Tony Award nomination
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1995 Played Thomas Edison in the Off-Broadway play "Camping with Henry and Tom"; co-starred with son John Prosky; later recreated role at the Pasadena Playhouse
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2001 Returned to sitcoms as Daniel Stern's father in "Danny" (CBS); sitcom cancelled after only airing twice
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2006 Starred in the comedy "Suits on the Loose" helmed by Rodney Henson
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Appeared in over 150 plays
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Awarded a scholarship at New York's American Theatre Wing
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Co-starred in the NBC sitcom "Veronica's Closet"
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Continued to act in amateur productions
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Joined Air Force and served in the Korean War after graduating from college
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Joined Old Academy Players, Philadelphia
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Received an honorable discharge from the military after the death of his father
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Returned home and took over the family grocery
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Spent 23 seasons as a resident actor with the Arena Stage Theatre, Washington DC
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Won an amateur TV dramatic contest