Robert Vaughn was the star of one of my favorite shows of the mid-1960s, The Man From *U.N.C.L.E. On the air from 1964-1968, *U.N.C.L.E. was a take-off on James Bond, and Vaughn starred as Napolean Solo. Robert Vaughn's film and television career has spanned SIX decades!
He was in an early Medic episode on television in 1955 and appeared in a 1956 Gunsmoke episode. His film career began in 1956 in The Ten Commandments. His most famous role, I think, was in the movie The Magnificent Seven, one of my personal favorites. (He played Lee, a paranoid gunfighter.)
Several other Magnificent 7 stars were also to have long and distinguished careers, with Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, James Coburn, and Charles Bronson, probably the most noteworthy. They are all dead now. In fact, as of this writing, the only other major star from the Mag 7 who still lives is Eli Wallach, who played the leader of the bad guys.Robert Vaughn appeared in thirty movies and nearly that many television programs or series, usually in a guest starring role or cameo appearance. But to speak of his staying power in the industry is a great compliment. He was in a Law and Order: SVU episode in 2006.
At the height of his popularity he was asked to run against Ronald Reagan for California governor in 1966. He didn't run, but has remained in Democratic Party events.
It might be difficult to nail down just what traits gives an actor staying power in an industry that is notorious for passing over older actors for the newest, youngest face. Vaughn was never a "great" actor. His talent seems to be to add a familiar and very handsome face on the screen, with an articulate and distinctive voice (he has a Ph.D in Communications from the University of Southern California), and do a professional job.I've always admired Robert Vaughn, enjoyed seeing his performances, and appreciate his presence in any film or television program.
(Incidentally, Vaughn's co-star in the Man from U.N.C.L.E. was David McCollum, playing Illya Kuriakin, a Russian-born agent. McCollum has pretty good longevity too; you can see him every week on NCIS.)
*The acronym U.N.C.L.E. stood for United Network Command for Law and Enforcement.








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