Posted in

RIP, Napoleon Solo

by Hondo••31

The Man from UNCLE has passed.  Robert Vaughn died yesterday, aged 83.  Acute leukemia reportedly claimed his life.

Vaughn had a long and successful career as an actor.  His first acting job was in the mid-1950s; his last, in 2012.  During his career, he made literally hundreds of appearances in TV shows or  film.

Vaughn was nominated for at least one Academy Award (Best Supporting Actor, 1960, The Young Philadelphians).  He also played the lead role in several successful TV series – including the one for which he’s best known, “The Man from UNCLE”.

So, why am I mentioning an actor here?  As was the case with many actors of his era, Vaughn was a veteran.  He was drafted shortly after graduating from college, and served in the US Army.

RIP, Mr. Vaughn.

You might also like

Funerals for SGT Cread E. Shuey and S2c Richard J. Thomson (World War II)

Mel Tillis passes

Col. Joe Jackson, revisited.

31 thoughts on “RIP, Napoleon Solo”

  3. I would add that he had an actual, not mail-order, doctorate. He was Dr.Robert Vaugnn, PhD. As for “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” I still recall the envy I felt when one of my friends rec’d the Man from U.N.C.L.E. brief case on Christmas. It was way too cool.

    1. Got this as a “shared” present with my 1 yr older brother for Christmas that year. Was pretty sweet. That cord for the walky talky lasted about 30 seconds…running into opposite rooms.

  4. I figured you for a “My Favorite Martian” fan. I bet you even followed Bill Bixby and The Courtship of Eddie’s Father.

    I was busy watching Rat Patrol

    2. I loved the Rat Patrol! But man they were the worst .50 caliber shots in the theater. Missed more Germans than Captain John Yossarian.

  6. My all-time list:

    Get Smart
    Rat Patrol
    Combat
    The F.B.I.
    The Untouchables
    The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
    F Troop
    The Rifleman
    Superman
    Loonie Tunes
    It’s Academic
    Bonanza
    Wide World of Sports (Except figure skating and bowling)

    1. Rat Patrol
      Combat
      12 O’Clock High
      The Rifleman
      Superman (Lois Lane…oh yea)
      Loonie Tunes
      Cheyenne
      Rawhide
      Gilligan’s Island (for spank bank material).

    1. Damn. That’s the one I referred to above that my best friend got one Christmas. I did get the Combat machine gun about that time so I can’t complain.

  10. Watching “Bridge at Remagen” today at work when I read this. I remember watching this on TV with my dad when I was a kid. RIP Mr Vaughn!!!

    1. Great film, although Vaughn seemed to get lost in the rest of a remarkable cast. Even though it was basically a re-write of Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai, it still belongs on a short list of best westerns. Another was Peckinpah’s The Wild Bunch with almost as good a cast, but a better script, IMOH.

  16. I must be too old for this group. My memory of Robert Vaughn is his roll as Company Commander Captain Ray Rambridge, mentor of USMC Lt. William Rice (Gary Lockwood) in “The Lieutenant”, a 1963-64 TV series created by Gene Roddenberry. Back when Hollywood still showed the U.S. Military as the good guys

  18. While he did serve in the military he was also had a prominent role in the anti-war movement during Vietnam. He participated in anti-war rallies and supported anti-war candidates. I understand he had the right to do so, but lets not make him out to be a patriot, because he served in the Army at a time when the draft was in place.

  19. Medal of Honor recipient David Shoup (USMC) was also against the Vietnam War. Was he not a patriot?

    Heck the Joint Chiefs told both JFK & LBJ the war was a bad idea.

  21. If memory serves, Robert Vaughn had a small role in the movie Delta Force as the Chairman of the JSC. (Calls Lee Marvin, who is at the “O” club bar at Ft. Bragg)

Comments are closed.