MovieChat Forums > Mission: Impossible (1966) Discussion > OT Robert Vaughn RIP

OT Robert Vaughn RIP

posted 8 years ago by lima-2
11 replies | jump to latest

Robert Vaughn best known as Napoleon Solo from The Man From Uncle has passed away from leukemia at age 83.

I actually met him briefly at Disney World on April 29, 1995. Not as a performer, but as "Joe Tourist." Obviously on vacation himself, as well. Wearing a Hawaiian shirt with a small camera strung around his neck. He was coming out of the Polynesian Hotel gift shop as my wife and I were going in. That encounter still sticks in my mind.

All I could manage to say, was, "Good morning Dr. Vaughn." (PhD in Communications) He smiled, nodded, and walked on. My wife didn't see him at first, because she asked me who he was. I said, "That was The Man From UNCLE."

By the time we both turned around he had gathered a small crowd. A young couple was urging their small daughter to go up to him with her autograph book. The poor daughter had no idea who he was. A very gracious Robert Vaughn signed her book. Rest In Peace.

[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

I just heard about Robert Vaughn myself. I liked him in The Man From Uncle. He was also on a British TV series.

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!

[–] lima-2 8 years ago

The Protectors? With the stunningly beautiful Nyree Dawn Porter?

[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

No, this was a different show. It had Adrian Lester and Jaime Kennedy in it. It was about a team of con artists in London that targeted bad guys who fleeced nice people. Kind of like Leverage.

Laugh while you can, Monkey Boy!

[–] klondike6 8 years ago

TAPS for Robert Vaughn

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest.

[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

Copy That.

[–] MrEdnablackadder 8 years ago

No, this was a different show. It had Adrian Lester and Jaime Kennedy in it. It was about a team of con artists in London that targeted bad guys who fleeced nice people. Kind of like Leverage.

That would be his final show, "Hustle".

[–] MrEdnablackadder 8 years ago

It was a great shock to me. He's been such a consistent presence in my life with his film and TV roles (especially as Napoleon) that I never really thought about him going away. You were lucky to get to meet him, lima. He did some signing event in the UK in the last few years; I have a photo of him and David McCallum that I always thought I would get him to sign one day. Sadly, it wasn't to be. However, I had the pleasure to see him acting on stage in "12 Angry Men" 3 years ago: it was his last West End appearance and he gave a sweet and touching performance.

Seems all the main spy shows of the period (M:I, Wild Wild West,I: Spy, Avengers, Prisoner, Get Smart*) have all lost at least a biggie by now.

* Not all qualify as proper spy shows, but they all had espionage elements at least.

[–] Cinna_Mini_Me 8 years ago

What can I say that has not already been said? Robert Vaughn was an extraordinarily handsome gentleman and a fine talent. He made acting look so easy and added an air of verisimilitude to all his roles. A fond but sad farewell.

[–] mariakelly-04164 8 years ago

Well said, Cinna_Mini_Me.

[–] Mel_bor_ing 8 years ago

Mr. Vaughn had so much more to give. I see a common thread in all these posts. He enjoyed people on a personal level as lima2 wrote of his chance encounter, and on a professional level as MrEdnablackadder wrote of his on-stage performances (no retakes with a live performance). I think Robert Vaughn would be very pleased with such a legacy.

[–] fanaticita 8 years ago

I was reading his book of memoirs and learned that he passed away. How very sad. . . .