Robert Wolders (28 September 1936 – 12 July 2018) was a Dutch television actor known for his role in the US television series Laredo and appearing in series such as The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Bewitched and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He was married to Merle Oberon, and was the longtime partner of Audrey Hepburn.
Career Wolders came to the US in the early 60s to study psychotherapy at the University of Rochester. At the advice of one of his professors he took up acting. After finishing university, he enrolled in the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, expecting to return to the University of Rochester afterward. Instead, he was offered an acting job by Universal.
Typecast as a "Latin Lover" because of his good looks and exotic accent, Wolders started out appearing in TV series like Flipper and The John Forsythe Show. He signed a contract with Universal Pictures that led to several film roles as well as landing the role of Erik Hunter in the second season of the TV series Laredo. He also had guest roles in other shows, including Daniel Boone, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., The Name of the Game, The F.B.I., Bewitched, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Wolders stopped acting shortly after marrying Merle Oberon in 1975.
Personal life
Wolders met actress Merle Oberon while filming Interval in 1973. Oberon was married at the time, but after filming with Wolders she divorced her husband of 16 years, Bruno Pagliai, and married Wolders in 1975. Wolders was 25 years younger than Oberon. They remained married until her death in 1979.
In 1980, Wolders became the companion of Audrey Hepburn until her death in 1993. From 1994 to 1995, he and actress-dancer Leslie Caron were a couple.
In 1995, Wolders began a relationship with Henry Fonda's widow, Shirlee Fonda.
Wolders died on 12 July 2018, at the age of 81.
Filmography YearTitleRoleNotes1965Juliet of the SpiritsCorpse at Susy's partyUncredited1965FlipperCaptain JohnsonEpisode: "Flipper and the Spy"1966Run for Your LifeMarcel LambertEpisode: "In Search of April"1966 The John Forsythe ShowMishkaEpisode: "If I Were a Prince"1966 Beau GesteFouchet1966–1967 LaredoErik Hunter26 episodes1967TobrukCorporal Bruckner1967Daniel BooneAlmavivaEpisode: "The Beaumarchais"1967The Man from U.N.C.L.E.Andreas PetrosEpisode: "The Man from THRUSH Affair"1968The Name of the GameDubrekEpisode: "The White Birch"1969The F.B.I.Eric LinlerEpisode: "The Doll Courier"1970Dan AugustGabe RedfernEpisode: "Murder by Proxy"1970 KemekSebastian1970BewitchedClarkEpisode: "The Corsican Cousins"1971Raid on RommelGerman PilotUncredited1973IntervalChris1974BanacekTommy ForrestEpisode: "The Vanishing Chalice" 1974The Mary Tyler Moore ShowPaul Van DillenEpisode: "Not Just Another Pretty Face"1974McMillan & WifeIlia AstrovEpisode: "The Game of Survival"1975The Legendary Curse of the Hope DiamondHendrikTV movie, (final film role)
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