The never-ruffled, ruggedly handsome tough-guy star of "Vega$" (ABC, 1978-81) and "Spencer: For Hire" (ABC, 1985-88), Robert Urich, who long played characters who were up to the task no matter how daunting, demonstrated the same resilience in his personal life, bouncing back no matter how many TV shows of his got canceled. His biggest challenge, however, came in 1996 when he learned he had a rare form of cancer, and he met the dreaded disease head-on, exhibiting the courage he'd always said he had with a power of positive energy and prayer approach that, coupled with medical technology, rid
While working as an account executive at WGN-Radio in Chicago, Illinois, a one-night acting job inadvertently set him on ultimate career path; hired to portray a young soldier and open the local Jewish United Bond drive with a stirring patriotic speech; uncovered a penchant for performing; his boss was in attendance and enforced the station's strict policy against moonlighting, resulting in his dismissal
Made stage debut in "Lovers and Other Strangers" at Pheasant Run Playhouse (community theater); appeared in Chicago production of "The Rainmaker", as well as numerous plays at Ivanhoe Theatre (Chicago) and Arlington Park Theatre (Illinois)
Caught the eye of a talent agent and moved to Los Angeles
1973
TV debut in the short-lived ABC sitcom "Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice"; played Bob
