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Robert Prosky papers, C0022, Special Collections and Archives, George Mason University Libraries.
Donated by Robert Prosky in 2007-2008.
Processed in 2008 by Sarah Patton, Jennifer Munson, and Jordan Patty. EAD markup completed in 2008 by Jordan Patty and Jennifer Munson.
Born in Philadelphia, Robert Prosky (1930-2008) spent much of his career as an actor in more than 200 plays at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., on Broadway in New York City, and in regional theatre. Prosky's association with the Arena Stage included more than 130 productions over the course of 20 years. His Broadway appearances included "Glengarry Glenross," "A Walk in the Woods," and "A View from the Bridge." Highlights from regional theater include "Death of a Salesman," "Twelfth Night," and "You Can't Take It With You." He also performed on stage in the Moscow Art Theatre in Russia, the Gate Theater in Dublin, Ireland, as well as in a Chinese theater in Hong Kong.
Beginning in the 1980s, he began regularly appearing in films and television shows. His films include "Mrs. Doubtfire," "The Natural," and "Dead Man Walking." Television credits include three years on "Hill Street Blues," many television films and guest shots.
He received or was nominated for two Tony awards, two Helen Hayes awards, an Emmy, the Drama Desk award, and the American Express Tribute To An American Actor. He continued to perform on stage and present lectures on his long career at universities, film festivals, for theater benefits, business groups and on cruises. He died on December 8, 2008, in Washington, D.C.
Consists of documents spanning Prosky's career in theatre, film, and television. Materials include playbills, photographs, scripts, reviews, fan letters, scrapbooks, and audiovisual.
The collection consists of six series. The first series contains documents from his professional career divided into three subseries and arranged alphabetically by play, film, or television title, then chronologically. Subseries 1.1 includes playbills that date from his early performances at the Quarterdeck Theatre to his most recent performances in Washington, D.C. There are also numerous reviews as well as a few scripts with Prosky's handwritten notes. Subseries 1.2 contains mostly clippings and reviews about Prosky's film career, but there are a few scripts and emphemra, such as the trading card from "The Last Action Hero." Subseries 1.3 contains documents from his television career, mostly clippings from his time as a cast member on "Hill Street Blues" and "Veronica's Closet." Note that there are additional professional documents, such as posters, in the oversize series.
The second series contains personal documents and is divided into two subseries and arranged alphabetically and chronologically. Subseries 2.1 consists of correspondence to and from Prosky. The bulk of the correspondence concerns Prosky's family and close friends. There are also many greeting cards wishing Prosky luck on opening nights as well as offering congratulations and thanks. Subseries 2.2 contains many biographical articles discussing Prosky's life as an actor. The articles also discuss Prosky's wife and sons. Also contained in the subseries are clippings, programs, and certificates from awards ceremonies that Prosky participated in as a nominee and won. Of particular interest are transcripts from an autobiography by Prosky. Note that there are additional biographical articles in the oversize series both loose and in scrapbooks.
The third series contains photographs of Prosky' professional and personal life. Many of the photographs document Prosky's theatre and film career. There are also photographs from his personal life, such as family snapshots. The photographs range in size from 3"x5" to 8"x10". Most of the theatre and professional photographs are larger and in black and white while the personal snapshots are smaller and in color. Arranged by category, then production title or other description, and then arranged chronologically. Note that there are additional photographs in the oversize series both loose and in scrapbooks.
The fourth series consists of copies of Prosky's film and television appearances, particularly "Veronica's Closet." There are also copies of public service announcements and commercials. Most of the media contained on VHS cassettes and reel-to-reel audio tapes. There are also DVD copies of speaking engagements at George Mason University and other locations.
The fifth series contains items too large for the other series. Included are photographs, scrapbooks, and posters documenting Prosky's professional career and personal life.
The sixth series consists of objects from Prosky's professional career and personal life, such as opening night gifts and production souvenirs.
Organized into six series:
Special Collections and Archives also holds the
Contains documents from his professional career divided into three subseries and arranged alphabetically by play, film, or television title, then chronologically.
Includes playbills that date from his early performances at the Quarterdeck Theatre to his most recent performances in Washington, D.C. There are also numerous reviews as well as a few scripts with Prosky's handwritten notes.
Arena Stage. Contains press releases, reviews, and Arena Stage publications.
Arena Stage. Contains press releases, reviews, and Arena Stage publications.
Arena Stage.
Quarterdeck Theatre.
Gonzaga College. Prosky not in cast.
Arena Stage.
Lucille Lortel Theatre.
Berkshire Theatre Festival. Review by Herbert Wolff.
Arena Stage.
Old Academy.
Quarterdeck Theatre.
Arena Stage.
Arena Stage.
Brooks Atkinson Theatre.
Arena Stage.
Arena Stage. Review by Mel Gussow.
Ford's Theatre.
Also contains television reviews and biographical information.
Goodman Theatre.
John Golden Theatre.
Manhattan Ensemble Theater. Also contains postcards with advertisements.
Fred Miller Theatre.
Arena Stage.
Arena Stage.
Ford's Theatre.
Lee Strasberg Theatre Center.
Delaware Theatre Company (1993) and Arena Stage (1995).
Douglass College.
Arena Stage.
Arena Stage.
Fred Miller Theatre.
Morosco Theatre. Prosky not in cast.
Arena Stage.
Gate Theatre.
Cape May Stage.
Arena Stage. Also contains a pre-production announcement.
Quarterdeck Theatre.
Arena Stage. Contains press releases, reviews, and Arena Stage publications.
Colonial Theatre.
Quarterdeck Theatre.
Arena Stage.
Arena Stage.
Coronet Theatre. Prosky not in cast.
Ambassador Theatre.
Royal Poinciana Playhouse. Prosky not in cast.
Booth Theatre.
One copy entirely in Russian and one with only the title translated.
Booth Theatre. Also contains some correspondence.
Contains stories on Zelda Fichandler and Robert Prosky.
Fred Miller Theatre.
Hong Kong Arts Festival.
Guthrie Theatre.
Arena Stage.
Also contains advertisements, rosters, and announcements.
Contains mostly clippings and reviews about Prosky's film career, but there are also a few scripts and emphemra, such as the trading card from "The Last Action Hero."
Also contains correspondence.
Contains production facts, one color production still photograph, and one black and white photograph of the director Gayle Knutson.
Also includes information on "Glengarry Glenn Ross" and television work.
Contains documents from his television career, mostly clippings from his time as a cast member on "Hill Street Blues" and "Veronica's Closet."
The second series contains personal documents and is divided into two subseries and arranged alphabetically and chronologically.
Subseries 2.1 consists of correspondence to and from Prosky. The bulk of the correspondence concerns Prosky's family and close friends. There are also many greeting cards wishing Prosky luck on opening nights as well as offering congratulations and thanks. Arranged alphabetically by name type of correspondence, then chronologically.
RESTRICTED
Also includes correspondence about Prosky's Tony Award nomination.
Contains many biographical articles discussing Prosky's life as an actor. The articles also discuss Prosky's wife and sons. Also contained in the subseries are clippings, programs, and certificates from awards ceremonies that Prosky participated in as a nominee and won. This subseries also contains transcripts from a self-recorded autobiography by Prosky. Arranged alphabetically by article title and type of document, then chronologically.
Post Eagle newspaper.
Columbia Flier newspaper.
America 275 Illustrated Story no. 11-79.
Prosky nominated for "Glengarry Glenross"."
Prosky nominated for "A Walk in the Woods".
Prosky won best actor in a short film for "Grandfather's Birthday".
Folder 1.
Folder 2.
Cynthia Snyder Public Relations.
Article by Zelda Fichandler.
Presented to both Prosky and his wife Ida.
Philadelphia magazine.
Prosky served as the master of ceremonies.
Prosky nominated for his role in "Our Town".
Prosky honored with the American Express Tribute.
Washington Post newspaper.
Roxborough Times newspaper.
Home News newspaper.
New York Times Newspaper.
Equity News newsletter.
New York Times newspaper.
Arena Stage.
Folder 1.
Folder 2.
Presented to Prosky for his role as Mr. Buchanan in "Jabberwocky".
Sun Weekly newspaper.
People Weekly magazine.
Relax magazine. In Polish.
New Jersey Lifestyle magazine.
Pen World magazine.
Washington Post Magazine.
Daily News newspaper.
Dossier magazine.
Washington Times newspaper. Article mentions Prosky's Hayes award for "The Price".
Also includes correspondence.
Contains photographs of Prosky' professional and personal life. Many of the photographs document Prosky's theatre and film career. There are also photographs from his personal life, such as family snapshots. The photographs range in size from 3"x5" to 8"x10". Most of the theatre and professional photographs are larger and in black and white while the personal snapshots are smaller and in color. Arranged by category, then production title or other description, and then arranged chronologically.
Contains copies of Prosky's film and television appearances, particularly "Veronica's Closet." There are also copies of public serve announcements and commercials. Most of the media contained on VHS cassettes and reel-to-reel audio tapes. There are also DVD copies of speaking engagements at George Mason University and other locations.
VHS, 18 minutes, color
Audio reel.
Available on digital format.
Reel, 60 seconds, color.
Available on digital format.
Reel, 60 seconds, color, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Food Safety and Quality Service.
Available on digital format.
Audio reel
Available on digital format.
VHS, #466216, Final Viewing Cassette
VHS, #466217, Final Viewing Cassette
VHS, #466218, Final Viewing Cassette
VHS, #466219, Final Viewing Cassette
VHS, #466220, Final Viewing Cassette
VHS, #466221, Final Viewing Cassette
Audio, 6 Demo spots, 7.5 IPS
Available on digital format.
VHS, 30 minutes
CD, Arena Stage press photos
DVD, DEMO
DVD, Tape 1, Harris Theatre GMU
DVD, Tape 2, Harris Theatre GMU
DVD, Clips for Lecture
Audio cassette tape, WABC Talk Radio 77am
DVD
Video reel, 60 seconds.
Available on digital format.
Audio cassette tape, Tape 1
Audio cassette tape, Tape 2
Audio Cassette Tape, WTOP Radio
DVD
Audio reel.
Available on digital format.
The fifth series contains items too large for the other series. Included are photographs, scrapbooks, and posters documenting Prosky's professional career and personal life.
Black binder with "Thief" label
Black binder with Robert Prosky
Photograph
Photograph - Appearances
Photograph - Theatre
Nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Movie "Into Thin Air"
Six different shots
Interview page 37
Three matted portraits
Autographed film poster
Production poster
Photographs, newspaper clippings, playbills
Blue album with flowers on cover, photographs, newspaper clippings, playbills
Autographed copy by Kathryn Crosby
Consists of objects from Prosky's professional career and personal life.
Paperweight
Miniature briefcase
Robert Prosky's name monogrammed on one side.
Ford's Theatre, Dog tags
Plaque
Souvenir bag