The news of the death of actor Robert Urich (right) – while sad, is not all too much of a surprise, given that he had been battling a rare form of cancer for the last six years. However, what set Urich apart from so many other big names in the public eye was that he continued working while also working to not only raise public awareness, but also funds to further research into this disease – not only for himself, but more importantly for those who would come down with the disease even after he was gone.
Well, the sad fact is, that he is now gone, and with that news, we now have the opportunity and privilege to look back on a life that was indeed well lived. As a child, I first remember him on a short-lived series called “S.W.A.T.”, that was actually getting pretty good ratings until then-ABC boss Fred Silverman canceled the show because he deemed it too violent. Urich went on to star in a record number of television shows – 15, the most successful of which were “Soap”, “Vega$” and especially “Spenser for Hire” – all of which ran on ABC. In addition to television, he had also done some feature work as well, including “Magnum Force” (1973) and “Turk 182” (1985).
More than just good looks, the small-town boy from Toronto, Ohio, went on to earn a Master’s from Michigan State in broadcast research and management, following which he went on to work as a salesman for Chicago’s own WGN television station, before later going into acting.
Once he was established in television, he worked almost constantly for the next 25 years – even during his illness. In 1996, he went public with his having synovial cell sarcoma, a rare cancer that attacks the body’s joints, and underwent several treatments to fight the cancer during the last years of his life. Honored for his efforts to raise public awareness of this disease (with star in Hollywood, left), he nonetheless always remembered that which was most important in life – that being his family – his wife of 27 years Heather, and their three children Allison, Ryan, and Emily.
Urich taught many of us a lot of things; he taught us that not all celebrities let success go to their heads; not all celebrities go through multiple marriages in short order; not all celebrities squander their fortunes in nothing flat and most importantly, he showed by example that his family was the most important part of his life, and for that he has the thanks of so many of us.
To Mrs. Urich and her family, you have the thanks and appreciation of all of us who have had the privilege and the blessing of having watched him display his talent onscreen for so many years. We thank you for sharing him and his talents with us and the legacy he leaves behind will be forever cherished by those of us who loved and appreciated his talents and abilities.
So long for now, Mr. Urich, until we meet again. Thanks for the memories. You truly were one of the greats, and for that we thank you so very much.
All the best until we meet again.
Timothy Rollins
This article may not be reproduced in any form without the expressed written consent of its author.
Robert Urich
Robert Urich with star in Hollywood