Robert Machray (actor)
{{Short description|American stage and television actor (1945–2025)}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Robert Machray
| image = Cropped_Photo_of_Robert_Machray.jpg
| caption =
| birth_name = Robert Machray Ward
| birth_date = {{birth date|1945|05|04}}
| birth_place = San Diego, California, U.S.
| death_date = {{death date and age|2025|01|12|1945|05|04}}
| death_place = North Hollywood, California, U.S.
| occupation = Stage and television actor
| years_active = 1977–2011
}}
Robert Machray Ward (May 4, 1945 – January 12, 2025) was an American actor.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/712030281/|title=The Utah Fest Shakespearience|first=Jan|last=Herman|work=Los Angeles Times|location=Los Angeles, California|date=August 20, 1993|access-date=April 8, 2022|page=100|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Closed access}} He was perhaps best known for playing the recurring role of fire marshal Dobbins in the American sitcom television series Cheers.
Life and career
Machray was born in San Diego, California.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/robert_machray|title=Robert Machray|work=Rotten Tomatoes|access-date=April 8, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.allmovie.com/artist/robert-machray-an222460|title=Robert Machray|work=AllMovie|access-date=January 12, 2025}} His stage career included numerous major roles at Shakespeare festivals, and major roles with companies such as the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera, Hartford Stage and Playwrights Horizons, among others.{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/540724399/|title=Machray joins Theaterfest|work=The Lompoc Record|location=Lompoc, California|date=May 22, 1983|access-date=April 8, 2022|page=8|via=Newspapers.com}} {{Closed access}}
Machray began his film and television career in 1977, appearing in the television film Panic in Echo Park. He then appeared in the sitcom television series Operation Petticoat.
Machray guest-starred in television programs including Cheers, Roseanne, Life Goes On, The Drew Carey Show, Suddenly Susan, Profiler and Three's Company. He also appeared in two films: Cutting Class (as Mr. Conklin) and The Master of Disguise. In 1983, he was cast in a summer stage production of My Fair Lady. He retired in 2011, last appearing in the satirical television mockumentary sitcom Parks and Recreation.{{Cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2025/01/robert-machray-dead-1236256765/|title=Robert Machray Dies: Character Actor Who Played Fire Marshal Dobbins On ‘Cheers’ Was 79|work=Deadline Hollywood|first=Greg|last=Evans|date=January 14, 2025|access-date=January 14, 2025}}
Machray lived in North Hollywood, Los Angeles, with his husband, Luigi Camperchioli. He died of complications from dementia and two strokes at his home on January 12, 2025, at the age of 79.{{cite web |title=Robert Machray Ward |url=https://neptunesociety.com/obituaries/sherman-oaks-ca/robert-ward-12196502 |website=Neptune Society |access-date=January 13, 2025}}{{cite web |last1=Barnes |first1=Mike |date=January 14, 2025|title=Robert Machray, Veteran Stage Actor and Fire Marshal Dobbins on ‘Cheers,’ Dies at 79 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/robert-machray-dead-cheers-fire-marshal-dobbins-1236108638/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=January 14, 2025}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0532678}}
- {{TCMDb name|118822%7C0}}
- [https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/robert_machray/ Rotten Tomatoes profile]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Machray, Robert}}
Category:Actors from San Diego
Category:Male actors from California
Category:American male film actors
Category:American male stage actors
Category:American male television actors
Category:American male voice actors
Category:American male Shakespearean actors
Category:LGBTQ people from California