Talk:Robert Preston (actor)

Sexuality
In his film criticism compendium, John Simon writes in a footnote to his review of Victor/Victoria that "Preston was a closeted homosexual". Is there any other citable material to support this assertion? Ellsworth 21:39, 12 October 2007 (UTC)

A few points: 1. I think this was one of the "openly known" secrets of Hollywood, and since Preston kept a low profile there isn't much corroborating evidence.

2. In support of this, I found a reference to the fact that in 1983 "Actor Robert Preston hosts the 3rd annual Alliance for Gay Artists Media Awards ceremony"

3. At the very least, mentioning that there is some indication that Preston was either a gay rights supporter and/or possibly gay himself would seem to belong in any biography of the man, and its lack could be taken as an act of POV censorship.

68.8.202.217 (talk) 18:08, 25 April 2009 (UTC)


 * I've researched Preston's career for many years and have never encountered a reference to his being a closeted homosexual. (I had not seen the Simon review--it can't have been contemporary with the film, can it?  It's hard to believe even someone as snide as Simon could be would make such a statement in print during Preston's life, true or not.)  I cannot find a single reliable reference to Preston and the terms "gay" or "homosexual" that doesn't directly use those terms in reference to Preston's character in the film Victor/Victoria.  He may well have been gay.  I don't know.  I knew him and his wife, but never had any sense of his being gay.  (That's OR, of course, so it's not usable or even evidentiary.)  I don't care whether he was or not.  But a critic making an uncited comment in a review and Preston's being liberal enough to support a gay rights organization do not BY THEMSELVES provide enough verifiability to make a definitive statement about Preston's orientation in the article.  Gay rights supporter, yes, that's verifiable.  But gay?  Not from these "citations." Monkeyzpop (talk) 05:45, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

Clarification- The Simon book cited was written many years AFTER Preston's death. The comment about him being 'deeply closeted' was an off-hand statement included in an unsustantiated footnote. Simon had a reputation/was known for making 'out-of-the-blue' comments and statements that were completed unsupported in his reviews and articles. He was also known to take 'potshots' at Theatrical Icons. Some people have said he was 'just plain mean'. I also have never seen any supporting sources regarding Preston's supposed 'closeting'. Preston was supportive of the Democratic Party and well may have been a Gay Rights supporter. Srontiedrev (talk) 16:55, 10 May 2009 (UTC)Srontiedrev


 * All good points. You're right, Srontiedrev, the footnote in the John Simon V/V review was added in the publication of the compendium, which came out in 2005, whereas in the 1981 review itself he wrote that Preston was "synonymous with red-blo0ded manliness." Ellsworth (talk) 14:16, 17 July 2010 (UTC)

I get it! So any man that is elegant, talented and graceful must automatically be gay; oh yeah-like Fred Astaire never took a sip or twenty of Ginger ale.Dcrasno (talk) 07:33, 19 March 2011 (UTC)

And why do we care? What he did with his genitals offscreen is of absolutely no interest to me. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 74.240.242.223 (talk) 02:52, 14 July 2011 (UTC)

I think we care because we dislike the way somebody was whispered about, because he supported another person's rights before it was fashionable to do so. Preston knew that back then, he'd be paid back for taking a stand. Good man. Profhum (talk) 06:04, 9 October 2011 (UTC)

Picture
There must be a still of Bob from the Music Man or V/V with Shirley or Julie so we can all stop calling slurs; the man was married young and stayed married till the day he died.Dcrasno (talk) 07:38, 19 March 2011 (UTC)

For clarity alone, need a picture of him from the Music Man era, the way we all remember him. Wasn't sure I had the right Robert Preston till I scrolled to bottom and saw saw his film list. Profhum (talk) 05:55, 9 October 2011 (UTC)

You didn't know? I reconized his Rapy looking face as soon as the page loaded. BadgerDoesGames (talk) 21:08, 26 April 2017 (UTC)

Assessment comment
Substituted at 04:39, 30 April 2016 (UTC)

TV appearances
I have seen Mr. Preston in at least one episode of Gunsmoke and one episode of the game show, What's My Line?. I wish someone would start to list his television credits. In Gunsmoke, he appeared as retired sea captain. In What's My Line? he appeared as himself, a mystery celebrity -- he wore a full beard that he grew for A Lion in Winter, I believe. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:6C44:437F:EA8B:CD85:EFCF:77EC:8DDC (talk) 16:45, 1 January 2021 (UTC)