Fact-checked by Grok 2 weeks ago

Robert Colbert

Robert Colbert (born July 26, 1931) is an American actor best known for his leading role as Dr. Doug Phillips in the science fiction television series (1966–1967). Born in , as the youngest of three siblings, Colbert pursued an early interest in after excelling academically and in track at . He studied theatre arts at the , served in the U.S. military on Okinawa, and briefly worked as a at KSBK radio before transitioning to acting. Colbert signed a contract with Warner Brothers in 1957, debuting in the film Under Fire and quickly becoming a familiar face on television through guest roles in series such as Bourbon Street Beat, Hawaiian Eye, and 77 Sunset Strip. He gained further recognition for portraying Brent Maverick, a third brother in the family, in two episodes of the western Maverick alongside James Garner, Jack Kelly, and Roger Moore. His breakthrough came with The Time Tunnel, where he co-starred with James Darren as time-traveling scientists, appearing in all 30 episodes of the Irwin Allen-produced show. In the and 1980s, Colbert continued his television career with recurring roles, including a decade-long stint as soap opera patriarch Stuart Brooks on from 1973 to 1983, as well as guest appearances on , , , and . He also featured in films like (1961) and A Fever in the Blood (1961). Over his career, spanning more than 100 television appearances, Colbert established himself as a versatile leading man in the and before retiring from acting in 1995; he remains active through fan conventions dedicated to classic and westerns.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Robert Louis Colbert was born on July 26, 1931, in Long Beach, California. He was the youngest of three siblings born to Clarence Loy Colbert Jr. (1902–1962) and Helena M. Colbert (née Gorman, 1900–1990). As a youth, he attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, excelling both academically and as an athlete in track and field, where he developed an early interest in drama. He studied theatre arts at the University of California, Berkeley. Colbert spent his childhood in Long Beach, and this background would later influence his pursuit of acting.

Military service and acting debut

Robert Colbert enlisted in the United States Army in the early 1950s and was stationed in Okinawa during the era, where he served as a clerk typist with a unit. While stationed there, he took on a as a at radio station KSBK in Suri, earning two dollars per hour for four nights a week, which provided both supplemental income and exposure to public performance. His introduction to acting came during this period when a woman from Air Force Special Services, impressed by his radio voice, recruited him to audition for a stage production of The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial. Colbert performed in the play, an experience he later described as "incredible," which led him to quit the radio job and solidified his passion for the stage. This amateur theatrical involvement with the troops marked his debut and sparked a lasting interest in the profession. Following his discharge from the Army, Colbert, hooked on acting, returned to the United States determined to pursue it professionally, motivated by the thrill of live performance and storytelling he had discovered overseas. He began by performing in Shakespearean roles at the Portland Civic Theatre before relocating to Hollywood.

Acting career

Warner Bros. contract and early roles

Following his film debut in the war drama Under Fire (1957), where he played a supporting role as a soldier, Robert Colbert signed a contract with Warner Bros. in 1957. This led to appearances in minor films, including a role as Dr. Ted Benson in the comedy Have Rocket, Will Travel (1959) alongside the Three Stooges. As a contract player, Colbert was positioned to contribute to Warner Bros.' extensive slate of television productions, primarily airing on ABC, allowing him to gain visibility in the competitive landscape of 1950s and early 1960s network programming. Colbert's early television work under the banner consisted of guest appearances across several of their popular Western and detective series, where he honed his skills in diverse supporting parts. He appeared in episodes of Colt .45, including the 1960 installment "Showdown at Goldtown" as an named Johnny Moore, portraying characters involved in conflicts and schemes. Similarly, he guest-starred in in the 1960 episode "Two Trails to " as Corporal Howie Burch, a figure navigating tensions between settlers and during the Gold Rush era. In the detective series , Colbert made multiple appearances starting in 1959, such as in "" as Pete Mallon, a role that showcased his ability to blend charm with intrigue in urban settings. Over approximately five years with Warner Bros., from the late 1950s into the early 1960s, Colbert accumulated extensive experience by guest-starring in nearly all of the studio's major series, including Bronco, Sugarfoot, and Hawaiian Eye. This rigorous schedule, which involved over a dozen ABC programs, established him as a reliable and versatile supporting actor capable of handling Western action, dramatic tension, and light comedy, laying the groundwork for more prominent opportunities within the industry.

Role as Brent Maverick

In 1961, Robert Colbert portrayed Brent Maverick, the younger brother of Bret and Bart Maverick, in two episodes of the ABC series during its fourth season. These episodes, "The Forbidden City" (aired March 26, 1961) and "Benefit of the Doubt" (aired April 9, 1961), marked Brent's introduction as a heretofore unmentioned family member. Brent was depicted as a sharp-witted, card-sharp gambler with a roguish charm akin to Bret , navigating high-stakes poker games and frontier cons with quick thinking and humor. The character's creation served as a stopgap measure to sustain the series' popularity after James Garner's exit following contract disputes and Roger Moore's departure as Beau Maverick midway through the season. Colbert, under exclusive contract to Warner Bros., was selected partly due to his physical resemblance to Garner, allowing seamless integration into the Maverick family dynamic without major production disruptions. This role built on Colbert's prior guest spots in Warner Bros. properties, such as his appearance in the season four episode "Hadley's Hunters," positioning him for this prominent opportunity. Despite a publicity campaign promoting Brent as a potential ongoing lead, the episodes aired late in the season and did not lead to further appearances, reflecting the show's declining ratings and impending cancellation. Colbert's tenure as Brent concluded his time under Warner Bros.' seven-year contract, from which he was released later in 1961. The release stemmed from Colbert's $80,000 debt incurred from a failed restaurant investment, as he sought to prevent the studio from garnishing his salary to settle the obligation. This event ended his studio-bound exclusivity, allowing greater flexibility for freelance work in subsequent projects.

The Time Tunnel

Following his departure from Warner Bros., Robert Colbert secured the starring role of Dr. Doug Phillips in the science fiction adventure series . Aired on from September 9, 1966, to April 7, 1967, the series was created and produced by , known for his elaborate special effects-driven productions, and ran for one season comprising 30 episodes, in which Colbert appeared in every installment. In the show, Colbert portrayed Dr. Doug Phillips, a brilliant physicist and co-director of the top-secret Project Tic-Toc, a U.S. government initiative to develop time travel technology. Alongside his colleague Dr. Tony Newman, played by James Darren, Phillips becomes trapped in the time vortex after an unauthorized test, propelling the duo into a series of perilous adventures across historical events—from ancient civilizations to pivotal battles—and even futuristic scenarios, where they must navigate dangers while attempting to return to their own era without altering history. The character's arc emphasizes Phillips' resourcefulness, leadership, and growing bond with Newman, as they face moral dilemmas and physical threats in their unending temporal odyssey. Despite initial promise, was canceled after its first season due to escalating production costs, which exceeded $135,000 per episode owing to Allen's ambitious sets, models, and effects, even though the series ranked in the lower half of the Nielsen ratings at approximately 86th place. Colbert's poised and charismatic performance as , particularly his chemistry with , contributed significantly to the show's enduring appeal, helping it achieve status among enthusiasts for its innovative time-travel premise and high-stakes storytelling.

The Young and the Restless and later television

Colbert joined the cast of the in its inaugural season, portraying newspaper publisher Stuart Brooks, the affluent patriarch of the Brooks family central to the show's early storylines involving class conflicts with the working-class Fosters. His portrayal spanned from March 1973 to March 1983, establishing him as a key recurring figure in the series' foundational narratives focused on family dynamics and social divides. As Brooks, Colbert depicted a protective father to —Chris, Peg, Leslie, and Lorie—whose personal and professional entanglements drove much of the in Genoa City. During and after his tenure on The Young and the Restless, Colbert transitioned into versatile roles across episodic television, moving beyond leading parts to support ensemble-driven stories in the and . He made guest appearances on crime dramas such as , including episodes "Duet for Three" (1970) as Vic Stanley, "A Choice of Evils" (1971), and "A Walk in the " (1972) as Carl Blake, where he often played layered supporting characters involved in investigations and personal crises. Similarly, he appeared in the premiere season of in the 1969 episode "The Big Kahuna" as George Kalakua, contributing to the show's early blend of action and Hawaiian culture. In the 1980s, Colbert continued this pattern with guest spots on popular series, showcasing his range in authority figures and everyday professionals. Notable roles included Dr. Bill Steward in the 1971 TV movie City Beneath the Sea, multiple appearances on Quincy, M.E. such as "Accomplice to Murder" (1978) and "Gone But Not Forgotten" (1981), and episodes of Knight Rider like "Mouth of the Snake" (1982). He also featured in Crazy Like a Fox (1984), Baywatch (1989) as Cliff Odom, Wings (1990) as Deke Braverman, Reasonable Doubts (1991–1993), In the Heat of the Night (1987–1994), and Frasier (1993) as Tony, often embodying dependable mentors or conflicted allies. This steady stream of television work highlighted his adaptability in both procedural and comedic formats until his retirement from regular acting in 1995.

Film appearances

Robert Colbert's film career was limited, with a handful of theatrical appearances spanning three decades, in contrast to his extensive work in . His roles in cinema were primarily supporting parts in genres ranging from war dramas to comedies, often serving as an entry point or occasional diversion from his TV commitments. Colbert made his debut in the 1957 war drama Under Fire, directed by , where he portrayed an M.P. in a story centered on a soldier accused of during combat. This minor role marked his initial foray into theatrical cinema shortly after his acting debut. In 1959, Colbert took on a supporting role as Dr. Ted Benson in the science fiction comedy , starring as bumbling janitors who accidentally journey to . The film, produced by , highlighted Colbert's early versatility in lighthearted fare alongside his burgeoning television presence on shows like . He also appeared in (1961) as Rip Guyler, A Fever in the Blood (1961) as Thomas J. Morely, and The Lawyer (1970) as Sam. One of Colbert's later film credits came in 1987 with the anthology comedy , directed by multiple filmmakers including , where he appeared as Blackie in the titular segment—a satirical take on sci-fi tropes involving a spaceship crew encountering aggressive alien women. This role in the Universal Pictures release stood as one of his final cinematic outings, underscoring the infrequency of his big-screen work. Overall, Colbert's sparse reflects a career predominantly oriented toward , where he achieved greater prominence through series regulars and guest spots.

Personal life

Marriages and family

Colbert was first married to dancer and songwriter Dotty Harmony, whom he met after her relocation to in 1960. The couple had two children together: a daughter named Cami and a son named Clayton (also known as Clay). Cami later married filmmaker Jon Freeman, known for producing the "Crusty Demons" series of DVDs. The marriage to ended in in 1976 after 15 years together. Despite the separation, Colbert and maintained a connection, leading to their on April 4, 2022. passed away exactly one year later on April 4, 2023, at the age of 90. The occurred during Colbert's later years, following decades of his acting career that included demanding roles on television series like and .

Retirement and current activities

Following his final regular acting role on The Young and the Restless in 1995, Robert Colbert retired from consistent work in the entertainment industry. Since then, he has limited his professional engagements to occasional cameo appearances, focusing instead on a quieter life away from the demands of full-time production schedules. Colbert remains active in fan communities through regular participation in science fiction and conventions across the , where he engages with admirers of his iconic roles in and . These events allow him to share anecdotes from his career and connect with enthusiasts, maintaining strong ties to the sci-fi and genres that defined much of his legacy. Additionally, he has taken part in tournaments as a means of supporting efforts for various causes. As of November 2025, at the age of 94, Colbert is alive and residing , enjoying a retired lifestyle centered on personal reflection rather than new projects. He periodically makes public appearances at autograph shows and fan gatherings, underscoring his enduring appreciation for his audience without pursuing major acting endeavors.

References

  1. [1]
    Robert Colbert - IMDb
    Tall, virile American TV leading man of the 1960s and 70s, born in Long Beach, California, the youngest of three siblings of Clarence Loy Colbert Jr.
  2. [2]
    Robert Colbert — The Movie Database (TMDB)
    Robert Colbert is an American actor most noted for his leading role portraying Dr. Doug Phillips on the ABC television series The Time Tunnel
  3. [3]
    Robert Colbert Biography - Actor Database
    Tall, dark-haired, deep voiced American actor born in Long Beach, California. He made his feature film debut in 1957's 'Under Fire' and was signed by Warner ...
  4. [4]
    Robert Colbert Interview - TVparty
    Case in point, while serving in the military, Bob was offered a part time job as a disc jockey at a radio station in Okinawa, and one thing led to another.
  5. [5]
    Lee Meriwether, Kathy Garver, Robert Colbert interviews – The ...
    ... Robert Colbert (ensemble player on the TV drama ... She also was a regular in the '60s cult TV show, 'The Time Tunnel' and spent eight years in the 1970s on “ ...
  6. [6]
    Under Fire (1957) - IMDb
    Rating 6.5/10 (56) First film of Robert Colbert. Connections. Referenced in Pop Culture Beast's Halloween Horror Picks: The Sadist (2015). Soundtracks. I'd Like To Be True To You
  7. [7]
    Have Rocket -- Will Travel (1959) - IMDb
    Rating 5.6/10 (1,072) The 3 Stooges are cleaners at a spaceport when they accidentally take off and land on Venus. The boys encounter a talking unicorn, a giant fire breathing ...
  8. [8]
    "Colt .45" Showdown at Goldtown (TV Episode 1960) - IMDb
    Rating 7.2/10 (14) Showdown at Goldtown: Directed by Lee Sholem. With Donald May, Ruta Lee, Robert Colbert, Harry Shannon. A paroled ex-convict is to drive a gold-laden ...
  9. [9]
    "Cheyenne" Two Trails to Santa Fe (TV Episode 1960) - IMDb
    Rating 8.4/10 (96) When Cheyenne escorts a few women to Santa Fe, he has to fight two of the growing West's biggest issues - gold fever and Indians. Director. Robert Sparr.
  10. [10]
    “The Forbidden City,” the episode that introduced Robert Colbert as ...
    Mar 26, 2025 · From November 2012: Robert Colbert shares a few memories of the years when he was a contract player with Warner Bros. during the last days of ...
  11. [11]
    "Maverick" The Forbidden City (TV Episode 1961) - IMDb
    Rating 6.7/10 (80) First appearance of Robert Colbert as Brent Maverick. ... Brent Maverick: I'm digging your grave, friend, with five little spades. Sheriff Sam Shadley: It's your ...Full cast & crew · Robert Foulk as Sheriff Sam... · Plot · Quotes
  12. [12]
    "Maverick" Benefit of the Doubt (TV Episode 1961) - IMDb
    Rating 7/10 (76) Brent Maverick (Robert Colbert) doesn't have much to do, except hold his arm and watch others maneuver for the stolen 40 thousand. The episode starts out with ...
  13. [13]
    This date in MAVERICK TV History: “The Forbidden City,” the ...
    Mar 26, 2025 · “The Forbidden City,” the episode that introduced Robert Colbert as Brent Maverick, aired on Mar. 26, 1961.
  14. [14]
    Do You Remember... "Maverick" - Western Clippings
    When Moore left after 15 episodes, WB contractee Robert Colbert was hurriedly rushed in at the tail end of season four as heretofore unmentioned third Maverick ...
  15. [15]
    Robert Colbert - Biography - IMDb
    Tall, virile American TV leading man of the 1960s and 70s, born in Long Beach, California, the youngest of three siblings of Clarence Loy Colbert Jr.
  16. [16]
    62 years ago today, July 8, 1962, the final episode of Maverick aired ...
    Jul 8, 2024 · Colbert, who was already under contract to Warner Bros., had appeared on the show previously in the season four episode "Hadley's Hunters".
  17. [17]
    Robert Colbert as Brent Maverick in the TV Show Maverick - Facebook
    Dec 9, 2024 · 1957-1962. 124 Episodes. Starring, James Garner as Bret and Jack Kelly as Bart. Recurring roles by, Robert Colbert as Brent and Roger Moore as ...What is the list of every Maverick episode that Bart was in? - FacebookMaverick tv show cast members - FacebookMore results from www.facebook.com
  18. [18]
    The Time Tunnel (TV Series 1966–1967) - IMDb
    Two scientists with a secret time travel project find themselves trapped in the time stream and appearing in notable periods of history.Episode listFull cast & crewRobert ColbertUser reviewsOverview
  19. [19]
    Time Tunnel, The - Nostalgia Central
    Out of 110 TV shows in the 1966-67 season, The Time Tunnel finished in a disappointing 76th place and ABC decided to cancel the show. But 60,000 letters of ...
  20. [20]
    A History of The Time Tunnel - ClassicFlix
    Jan 16, 2014 · Because it was renewed by ABC-TV for a second season and weeks later, the network cancelled the renewal. 'Had The Time Tunnel gone a second ...
  21. [21]
    Sci Fi TV Flashback: The Time Tunnel (1966)
    Feb 26, 2022 · Why was Irwin Allen's The Time Tunnel cancelled after one season and will it be rebooted?
  22. [22]
    The Time Tunnel is a classic American sci-fi TV series ... - Facebook
    Jan 18, 2025 · The strong chemistry between Darren and Colbert, combined with Allen's flair for spectacle, turned the show into a cult favorite. Its ...Interview with Robert Colbert from Daytime TV magazine March 1974Classic Television Show Time Tunnel Discussion - FacebookMore results from www.facebook.comMissing: performance | Show results with:performance
  23. [23]
    [Update] Cult '60s Sci-Fi Show THE TIME TUNNEL Comes To UK ...
    [Update] Cult '60s Sci-Fi Show THE TIME TUNNEL Comes To UK Blu-Ray This November. THE TIME TUNNEL. The seven disc set arrives in November. THE TIME TUNNEL blu- ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  24. [24]
    Episode guide for The Young and the Restless from 1973 – 1979
    Jul 24, 2015 · The show, set in a fictional town in Wisconsin called Genoa City, premiered on March 26, 1973 on CBS as a half-hour drama and seven years later, in 1980, ...
  25. [25]
    https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0641524/
  26. [26]
    "Mannix" A Choice of Evils (TV Episode 1971) - IMDb
    Rating 8.3/10 (113) Robert Colbert in Mannix (1967). ActionCrimeDramaMysteryThriller. Peggy is kidnapped under orders of a crime boss to force Mannix to find an undercover man in ...
  27. [27]
    "Mannix" A Walk in the Shadows (TV Episode 1972) - IMDb
    Rating 8.2/10 (120) A man named Tom Farnon suspects his wife of having an affair, and follows her to his boat where she is to meet her lover. But a shot rings out, the other man ...
  28. [28]
    "Hawaii Five-O" The Big Kahuna (TV Episode 1969) - IMDb
    Rating 6.7/10 (202) Eleanor Kalakua · Robert Colbert · George Kalakua · John Marley · Sam Kalakua · Peter Leeds · Barney Glazer.Full cast & crew · James MacArthur as Danny... · Filming & production · Plot
  29. [29]
    Robert Colbert Filmography - Actor Database
    77 Sunset Strip. 'Ten Cents A Death' 1960. 'Safari' (as Pete Mallon) 1960. 'The Attic' (as Kim MacGowan) 1960. 'The Man In The Mirror' (as Phil) 1961. 'Old Card ...<|control11|><|separator|>
  30. [30]
    Robert Colbert - Actor - TV Insider
    Robert Colbert's acting career began mostly with his roles in various films, such as Claudelle Inglish (1961), A Fever in the Blood (1961) and the Barry Newman ...
  31. [31]
    Under Fire (1957) - Turner Classic Movies - TCM
    Under Fire marked the directorial debut of former film editor James B. Clark and the acting debut of dancer George Chakiris. According to the Variety review ...
  32. [32]
    Have Rocket -- Will Travel (1959) - Full cast & crew - IMDb
    Robert Colbert in Maverick (1957). Robert Colbert · Robert Colbert · Dr. Ted Benson. (as Bob Colbert). Don Lamond · Don Lamond · The Venusian Robot. /Reporter.
  33. [33]
    HAVE ROCKET, WILL TRAVEL - Three Stooges
    The Stooges are janitors working at a space center. Through a series of mishaps, they accidentally find themselves launched into space and land on Venus.
  34. [34]
    Dorothy Colbert Obituary - Canoga Park, CA - Dignity Memorial
    Apr 4, 2023 · In 1960, Dotty relocated to Los Angeles, where she met and married the love of her life, actor Robert Colbert, known for his work on The Time ...
  35. [35]
    Dorothy Marian Harmony Colbert 1933-2023 | The Malibu Times
    Apr 13, 2023 · She is survived by her husband, Robert Colbert (whom she remarried on April 4th, 2022), her adoring daughter Cami, her remarkable son Clayton, ...Missing: marriages | Show results with:marriages
  36. [36]
    ROBERT COLBERT PHOTO GALLERY #02
    Robert Colbert ( born July 26, 1931, in Long Beach, California ) is an American actor most noted for his leading role portraying Dr. Doug ...Missing: upbringing parents
  37. [37]
    What Realy Happened to Robert Colbert -Star in The Time Tunnel
    Dec 26, 2020 · What Realy Happened to Robert Colbert -Star in The Time Tunnel Robert Colbert was born on July 26, 1931, in Long Beach, California, ...
  38. [38]
    http://www.uncleodiescollectibles.com/html_lib/robert-colbert/00004.html
  39. [39]
    TV's 'Time Tunnel'/'Maverick' Icon Robert Colbert Turns 94
    Jul 27, 2025 · Beloved actor Robert Colbert, best known for his roles on TV's Maverick and Time Tunnel shows, is now a remarkable 94 years old.<|control11|><|separator|>