Robert Forster
Robert Forster (1941–2019) was an American actor whose steady craft and late-career resurgence earned him widespread respect. Explore his life, film and television work, and memorable quotations.
Introduction
Robert Forster was an American actor known for his quiet strength, versatility, and persistence. Born July 13, 1941, and passing away October 11, 2019, he appeared in over 100 films and many television roles, often in supporting or character parts. His role as Max Cherry in Quentin Tarantino’s Jackie Brown (1997) revived his career and earned him an Academy Award nomination .
Though he never became a classical “movie star,” Forster’s career is a testament to steady craft, adaptability, and resilience. Below is a fuller portrait of his journey, signature roles, and insights he left in his own words.
Early Life and Background
Robert Wallace Foster Jr. was born in Rochester, New York.
He attended the University of Rochester, majoring in psychology, while participating in theater productions on campus.
In college, he also met his first wife, June Provenzano, whom he married in 1966.
Career and Achievements
Early Breakthroughs & Stage Work
Forster made his Broadway debut in 1965 in Mrs. Dally Had a Lover, working opposite established actors. Reflections in a Golden Eye (1967), directed by John Huston, in which he played Private L.G. Williams.
In 1969, he starred as reporter John Cassellis in Medium Cool, an influential “New Hollywood” film that blended narrative with documentary — a bold role that showed his interest in complex, socially aware characters.
He also worked steadily in television: in the early 1970s he starred in Banyon (1971–73) as a private eye, and in Nakia (1974) as a detective.
Mid-Career Challenges & Perseverance
Despite early promise, Forster’s career went through lean periods. He found himself cast in lower-budget films, genre pictures, and television guest roles. Hollywood Harry (1985), but it did not bring financial success.
He observed in interviews:
“Not one of my movies made a dime. I’ve never had anything that approached a hit in my entire career of 15 movies and a lot of TV shows.”
He often took roles in action, thriller, and B-movie categories (for example, Alligator (1980), The Delta Force (1986)) to stay active and working.
Career Resurgence: Jackie Brown and Later Work
Forster’s turning point came with Jackie Brown (1997). Quentin Tarantino cast him as Max Cherry, a cool, principled bail bondsman. The role earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor and drew renewed critical attention.
He later had a rich slate of roles: Mulholland Drive, Me, Myself & Irene, Olympus Has Fallen (and its sequel London Has Fallen), What They Had (2018), and more.
On television, he took on memorable parts such as Ed “The Disappearer” Galbraith in Breaking Bad, reprised in El Camino (2019) and Better Call Saul. Twin Peaks: The Return as Sheriff Frank Truman.
His final screen appearance was in El Camino: A Breaking Bad Movie, released on the day he passed away.
Personality, Work Ethic & Philosophy
Forster was known among colleagues for being grounded, professional, and persistent. He believed in steady work and the cumulative value of doing a job well. In interviews he emphasized attitude, acceptance, excellence, and perseverance as keys for surviving Hollywood:
“Step #1 is you’ve got to have a good attitude, Step #2 is accept all things, deliver excellence to whatever is offered, give it your best shot. And rule #3 is never quit.”
He also emphasized how actors must internalize character and master the lines:
“You’ve got to internalize the character. You’ve got to learn the words. These are separate things, but they work together.”
He often spoke about resilience in a long career:
“You can win it in the late innings if you never quit.”
Other reflections include:
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“If you deliver excellence right now, that gives you the best shot at the best future you’ve got coming.”
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“If you’re holding onto negative stuff from before, you cannot deliver excellence.”
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“First time I ever played a bad guy. I didn’t want to do it. I got stuck in bad guys for 13 years after that.”
He also addressed his view of opportunity and luck in an unpredictable industry:
“I’m not sure how a guy wins or loses in this business, but somebody’s got to come along and make you lucky. You can’t do it yourself.”
Legacy & Influence
Robert Forster’s career leaves several instructive legacies:
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Respect for the character actor path. He never chased leading-man stardom but built a large, diverse body of work.
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Mastery over self-importance. He treated every role with seriousness — whether big or small.
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Late reinvention is possible. His success with Jackie Brown is often cited as an example of how a 40+ year career can get a second act.
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Integrity in craft. His respect for actors, directors, and crew made him a beloved collaborator.
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Persistence. Rather than fade away, he kept working — embracing roles, adjusting to industry changes, and staying present.
Even after his death, his presence endures: El Camino includes a dedication to him, and his performances continue to be admired by actors and fans.
Selected Quotes by Robert Forster
Here’s a curated list of some of his more resonant statements:
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“Step #1 is you’ve got to have a good attitude, Step #2 is accept all things, deliver excellence … And rule #3 is never quit.”
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“You’ve got to internalize the character. You’ve got to learn the words. These are separate things, but they work together.”
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“You can win it in the late innings if you never quit.”
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“If you deliver excellence right now, that gives you the best shot at the best future you’ve got coming.”
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“If you’re holding onto negative stuff from before, you cannot deliver excellence.”
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“First time I ever played a bad guy. I didn’t want to do it. I got stuck in bad guys for 13 years after that.”
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“I’m not sure how a guy wins or loses in this business, but somebody’s got to come along and make you lucky. You can’t do it yourself.”
Lessons from Robert Forster’s Journey
From his life and words, here are some takeaways:
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Stay adaptable. Forster shifted between film, television, supporting roles, and character parts to remain active.
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Value every job. He treated small and large roles with equal care, believing excellence at the moment matters.
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Persist even when overlooked. His career had lows, but he never quit, and eventually got a breakthrough later in life.
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Master the craft quietly. He spoke often of internalizing character and doing foundational work.
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Be gracious in collaboration. His reputation was as someone generous and steady on set.
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See opportunity in the unexpected. His revival came from a director unafraid to cast him when others had moved on.
Conclusion
Robert Forster might not be as immediately recognizable as some Hollywood icons, but his career stands as a powerful model of perseverance, craftsmanship, and quiet dignity. His journey — from early promise, through years of struggle, to a late but meaningful renaissance — shows that in acting, as in life, consistent dedication can lead to renewal.
If you’d like, I can also prepare a detailed list of his best performances (films or TV) or analyze how Jackie Brown changed his trajectory. Do you want me to do that?