Robert Dean Kaliban (November 6, 1933 – December 12, 2020) was an American actor, singer, and musician who served as president of the New York branch of SAG-AFTRA. He also appeared in television, films and TV commercials as the "Ty-D-Bol Man”.
Personal life and career Kaliban was born on November 6, 1933, in Lisbon, Iowa. After attending Loras College in Dubuque, he moved to New York City in the 1950s where he began his career in the theater. Twice married, Kaliban briefly moved to London and gained a scholarship at Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. His first role on Broadway was in the musical, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. He also appeared in Ben Franklin in Paris.
In 1968, Kaliban became president of the Screen Actors Guild. Regarding his role as SAG president, Kaliban stated: “We have been stripped of our dignity and believability as actors by every client who uses real people. The trend must turn back from real people to the real professional.”
Kaliban later appeared in local television commercials in the New York City area. Despite leaving SAG in 1994, he continued to have a “Trustee” status of the Pension Plan until his death.
Kaliban died on December 12, 2020 in California.
Filmography Film
Year(s)TitleCharacterNoteRef1978If I Ever See You AgainAccount Supervisor1979Something Short of ParadiseGeorge Pendleton1979A Family Circus ChristmasDaddy1980The Berenstain Bears Meet BigpawBig Paw / Announcer1980The Missing LinkCroak / Slick1980I Go PogoBewildered Bat1983The CharmkinsBramble Brother #21987The Big BangExtra (English dub)1993Tracey Takes on New YorkExtra1996Christmas in CartoontownVoice2003It Runs in the FamilyJim Lindsay2011Top Cat: The MovieJudge/Police Chief/MayorFinal role
Television
Year(s)TitleCharacterNoteRef1963The Patty Duke ShowCharlie Anderson (credited as Robert Kaliban)1967Run for Your LifeArthur Court1980Drawing Power!Pop, additional voices1982A Family Circus EasterDaddy1979-2009SchoolHouse Rock! Lou, Mr. Chips, additional voices1995-1996Starla and the Jewel Riders Josh, Merlin, King Jared (voice)1999-2000A Little Curious Little Cup, Plush (voice)2007Human GiantDoritos Commercial Man
Video games Year(s)TitleCharacterRef2003Clifford the Big Red Dog: PhonicsPhineas T. Wordsworth, Host Cow
Commercials
Year(s)CompanyCharacter1968-1984Ty-D-BolTy-D-Bol Man1986-1995Toys "R" UsGeoffrey
Discography Albums The Best of Schoolhouse Rock (1998)
References
External links