Robert Rodan

Robert Rodan (January 30, 1939 – March 25, 2021), born Robert Berger, was an American actor best known for playing the created monster Adam on the TV soap opera Dark Shadows.

Career

Rodan was born Robert Michael Berger on January 30, 1939,[1] in Newark, New Jersey.[2] He later changed his name to Robert Trimas, to take his stepfather's last name.[1] After graduating from high school, he enrolled at the University of Miami and majored in art. After college, he enlisted in the United States Army, where he was assigned to a special services unit that produced skits, plays, and other forms of live entertainment for troops.[2]

Leaving the army, he intended to find work as a commercial artist.[3] Dark, handsome, and 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 m) tall,[4] so many people approached him on the street to ask if he was an actor that he decided to try his hand at it.[3] He acted in a few plays on the West Coast[5] and had a small role in the 1964 film Goodbye Charlie.[6]

Under the stage name Robert Rodan, he made his debut on Dark Shadows on May 3, 1968.[4] His role lasted only until the end of 1968, and he left the series rather than play other characters.[7] He made only one more acting appearance, in the 1969 film The Minx.[8]

After leaving acting, Rodan became a real estate broker in Southern California.[7]

Rodan was an avid painter, sculptor, sailor, and swimmer.[4]

Rodan returned to Dark Shadows in 2007, providing the voice of the new character Oswald Gravenor in the Big Finish Productions audio drama Dark Shadows: The Rage Beneath.

Death

Rodan died of heart failure on March 25, 2021, at his home in Oregon.[7]

Citations
  1. Hamrick, Craig; Jamison, R.J. (2012). Barnabas & Company: The Cast of the TV Classic 'Dark Shadows'. Bloomington, Ind.: iUniverse. p. 317. ISBN 9781475910346.
  2. "Do You Prefer 'Jenkins' to 'Burton'?". The Waterloo Courier. December 6, 1968. p. TV Showtime 6.
  3. Shull, Richard K. (April 11, 1969). "Shull's Mailbag". The Indianapolis News. p. 19.
  4. "'Shadows' Monster Adam Created, as in Bible". Dayton Daily News. June 15, 1968. p. 26.
  5. "Ask TV Scout". The Corpus Christi Caller-Times. November 3, 1968. p. G19.
  6. "TV Mailbag". Hartford Courant. July 14, 1968. p. TV Week 5.
  7. Evans, Greg (March 29, 2021). "Robert Rodan Dies: Actor Who Played 'Dark Shadows' Frankenstein Monster Was 83". Deadline. Retrieved April 8, 2021.
  8. Thomas, Kevin (February 2, 1970). "Corporate Espionage Picgtured in 'The Minx'". The Los Angeles Times. p. IV-5.
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