'I Spy' Star Robert Culp Dies After Fall at Home

By PopEater Staff Posted Mar 24th 2010 05:17PM

Robert Culp, who shot to fame playing Kelly Robinson on 'I Spy' in the 1960s, died Wednesday after the 79-year-old actor hit his head during a fall near his Hollywood home.

According to the Los Angeles Times, Culp hit his head after falling while walking on Wednesday morning and was found by a jogger, who called 911 shortly after 11 AM. Culp was pronounced dead shortly after at Queen of Angels hospital. Los Angeles Police Department Lt. Bob Binder told the LA Times that the actor's death "is accidental and there appears to be no sign of foul play."

From 1965 to 1968, Culp's Robinson character on 'I Spy' took him to the top of Hollywood. It was also a socially important show, as it became the first dramatic TV series to feature an African American actor. That actor... Bill Cosby.

"He's the brightest man I ever knew, and God knows he has the fastest mind of anyone I've ever come across," Culp said of Cosby during an interview with the Archive of American Television in 2007.

He went on to describe the social significance of 'I Spy,' saying, "When it came to race relations... there were stations in the South that wouldn't carry us." He said to Cosby: "'Do you want to do anything about that?'" Culp continued, saying that Cosby told him, "'Our statement is a non-statement. That's what it is, and that's where it lies and that's what's going to make it funny.'"

Culp's response? "Dead-on, partner."

During the 1980s, Culp logged 44 episodes as Bill Maxwell in 'The Greatest American Hero.' In recent years, he acted sporadically, including a role as Warren in 11 episodes of 'Everybody Loves Raymond.' Culp also had a role in 1994's hit movie 'The Pelican Brief.'

Tags: robert culp

Comments

(182)

Wednesday 24 March

By Ruth

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Another great one leaves us..RIP Robert..My heart goes out to his loved ones

Thursday 25 March

By Larry Rogers

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And why is this not listed as major news item !

By R.C.Gradie

Used to watch that show every week...loved the show and the cool, laidback interaction between Culp and Cosby...RIP man....

By Jody

True True, my man!

By Karen

Fond memories of my dad & I watching I Spy every week, along with Mission Impossible. The shows then had such a quality about them. As well as the actors themselves.

By MaryMRevis

Rest in peace dear man. You will be missed.

By Laurence Cripe

Peter Graves, Fess Parker - and now, Robert Culp,

It seems like Hollywood is "leaning out" in terms of the treasured TV pool...so sad. Another great loss - rest in peace, all.

By Jim Pierce

I agree wholeheartedly.. I loved his Cowboy days as well..
I realize that I am now just an old man with great memories of TV when it was GREAT..

By scott

Other TV greats we lost this year: Merlin Olsen and Pernell Roberts.

By mousie1963

What a great lost. We are losing too many great ones

By Laughing Lady

We are losing so many stars lately, young & old. Maybe that's why the sky is a bit brighter at night.....

By Mary E. Smith

I loved your sentiments. With all of the great stars we have lost one really thinks about our own time left. (I'm not being morbid.) Just thinking about ones own mortality. I like to think they are all together along with "Duke" and "Old Blue Eyes" having a glass of champagne. I raise my glass.

By Kathy

Wonderful man, great actor, loved all that he did, R.I.P. another great loss for entertainment and the acting field.

By george

i was saddened to hear the news about one of the best bad guys to play on columbo, mr. robert culp. he was truly a fine actor and a very like-able person to watch on screen. may he rest in peace.

By Kim

Hey George,
Just a friendly reminder that Peter Falk played in Columbo.
Robert Culp played in I Spy with Bill Cosby.

By Columbo Fan

Kim, you misread George's statement: Robert Culp didn't play the ROLE of Columbo, he played a bad guy on the SHOW "Columbo" -- Culp appeared playing a murderer in three separate episodes.

Check out his biography...he had quite the career.

By jktejas

I never missed "I Spy." It was fun to watch and really unique at the time. It was the introduction of Robert Culp and Bill Cosby to many people, including me. RIP, Bob....Thanks for all the hours of great entertainment.

By chico

Oh no...peter graves now Robert culp? Whos next

By Randy

It has already been three. Fess Parker (Daniel Boone) died earlier this week. Peter Graves, Fess Parker - and now, Robert Culp.

By great granny

Thanks for all the great movie memories. You were a class act. our heart goes out to the family. God Bless.

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