Robert E. Nichols

Robert Nichols was born in Oakland, CA in 1924. His first professional acting was for special services in the army in WWII, performing first at bases in the states and then Japan. He returned home to attend College of Pacific and after a year decided to audition for the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, where he was accepted and given a scholarship. After attending RADA, he worked in London at The Player's Theatre as a song and dance man as well as performing in plays. He went to Germany for his first film role in "I Was a Male War Bride" with Cary Grant. When he returned to England and was working in the theatre, the Home Office caught up with him as he had no work permit and he was deported. He returned to Los Angeles and met Jennifer Napier in 1950. They had a whirlwind courtship, marrying within months. Bob performed at The Player's Ring, started The Gallery Stage, and made his way in featured roles in films like "The Thing", "Giant", and "Red Badge of Courage". Television shows included Maverick, My little Margie, the Dick Van Dyke Show, and Gunsmoke. Many more films followed. His daughter Christie was born in 1952 and his son David in 1954. In 1960, he took his family to London where he appeared in the West End in "Bye Bye Birdie" and "How to Succeed in Business" as well as several plays. He worked in films shot in France, Italy, and England. They returned to Los Angeles in 1965. When the kids went off to college, Bob and Jennifer moved to N.Y. where he worked constantly on the stage in plays such as "Take Me Along", "Man and Superman", "The Man Who Came to Dinner", and "Ah, Wilderness". An exciting time was playing Cap'n Andy in the recording of "Showboat", which received the award as the best musical comedy recording of the decade. After many years they came back to California. In 1991 Bob and Jennifer fell in love with a place in Occidental, never to move again, though he was to continue as a performer for another ten years. Since then, he has worked untiringly on his garden and his writing. Bob is survived by his wife Jennifer, daughter Christie, son David, sister Nancy, and grandchildren Travis and Tyler. As Bob's friends are spread all over the U.S. and England, we have asked that you might plant a rose bush in his memory, rather than holding a memorial service. We thank Memorial Hospice for their compassionate care.