Robert Pastorelli: Summary

Recent Role:: Lewis Bernard on Hack

Gender:: Male

Birthday:: 6-21-1954

Death:: 3-8-2004

Birthplace:: New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA

Known for playing streetwise, savvy and ballsy characters, Robert Pastorelli was an accomplished film, TV and stage actor perhaps best known for the role of house painter Eldin on Murphy Brown.

Pastorelli was a former boxer, which added to the tough-guy persona of many of his characters. His break-out film role came in 1990 when he appeared in Dances With Wolves, and he also could be seen in Eraser, Michael, and Be Cool.

Pastorelli is perhaps most famous and most widely remembered for his seven seasons on Murphy Brown as Eldin, the house painter who was always ready to lend an ear and advice to Candace Bergen. The role earned Pastorelli a 1995 Emmy nomination, and paved the way for him to star in his own short-lived sitcom, Double Rush. Pastorelli got to return to his theatre roots later in his career. He appeared alongside Glenn Close in the made-for-TV adaptation of South Pacific and co-starred with her in London onstage in A Streetcar Named Desire. In 1998, he starred in the US version of the British crime drama Cracker, assuming the role created by Robert Coltrane.

Sadly, drug use dogged Pastorelli throughout his life, and he died of a heroin overdose on March 8, 2004. Known for playing streetwise, savvy and ballsy characters, Robert Pastorelli was an accomplished film, TV and stage actor perhaps best known for the role of house painter Eldin on Murphy Brown.

Pastorelli was a former boxer, which added to the tough-guy persona of many of his characters. His break-out film role came in 1990 when he appeared in...

Sorry, no blogs exist at this time.

Sorry there is no news for Robert Pastorelli at this time.

9.4
00
jamoon2006
member since: Jun 21, 2005
Died too young...a tragic end to an always entertaining actor. ...Continue »
It's sad to watch Robert Pastorelli in old movies and TV shows now, because you see his talent on display and the tragedy of his death really hits you. Here was a very talented guy who never really got the break-out success he deserved, and he died before it could happen.

Like many actors, Pastorelli had a history of substance abuse and hard living, and unfortunately he could never shake that. The timing of his death is really bitter - he had just finished a role in "Be Cool," a major movie and it may have led to more gigs. The role, though small, is goofy and funny and one of the few good parts of that film. Pastorelli could always be counted on to make the most of a "bit" or supporting part, whether it was as William Hurt's sidekick in Michael or as the ex-mob guy in Eraser. His characters stuck with you and he was always able to put a unique spin on them, just like Eldin on Murphy Brown.

It's a shame too that he didn't have more chances to show off his talents in dramas. As big a fan of the U.S. version of "Cracker" as I am, I realize it was not popular and did not get seen by many. I think people who only knew Pastorelli from "Murphy Brown" would have been pleasantly surprised by his performance.
12/14/07 01:22pm | report abuse
9.4
10
brianparker30
member since: May 4, 2006
Robert Pastorelli was a great very talented actor and is very missed... ...Continue »
I loved the work of Robert Pastorelli. Most people do not realize how many movies and tv shows he was in. I am sad for the loss of sucha wonderful actor and will always be a big fan. Robert was very funny and also incredibly diverse. He was amazing in the Yarn Princess in Stricking Distance where is was serious, and even out out there. Robert was about hte only good thing in Be Cool as well. I always wathced anything that guy was in and was always pleaseed with how talented he was. What a huge loss for the acting world!!
09/15/06 10:09pm | report abuse