# Robert Preston

> American actor and singer (1918–1987)

**Wikidata**: [Q451811](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q451811)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Preston_(actor))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/robert-preston

## Summary

Robert Preston, born Robert Preston Meservey, was an American actor and singer whose career spanned stage, film, and television. Active from 1938 until his death in 1987, he is best recognized as a Tony Award-winning performer in musical theater. He also served during World War II and appeared in Westerns, among other genres.

## Biography

- **Born:** 1918 (exact date and place not specified in source material)
- **Died:** 1987
- **Nationality:** United States
- **Birth Name:** Robert Preston Meservey
- **Known for:** Performing as a stage, film, and television actor, as well as a singer
- **Field(s):** Live theater, film, television, music/vocal performance
- **Work Period:** Began in 1938

## Contributions

Robert Preston built a multifaceted performing career across four entertainment mediums. Beginning his professional work in 1938, he performed live before in-person audiences as a stage actor, appeared in motion pictures as a film actor, performed on television as a television actor, and sang for listening audiences as a vocalist. He earned the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, a prestigious recognition established in 1948 in the United States. His work also connected him to the Western genre, a multimedia category of stories set primarily in the American Old West, indicating involvement in frontier-themed productions. During his lifetime, he served in connection with World War II (1939–1945 global conflict).

## FAQs

**What types of acting did Robert Preston do?**
Robert Preston performed across three acting mediums: live stage, film, and television. He was also a singer who performed vocally for audiences.

**Did Robert Preston serve in the military?**
Source material links Robert Preston to World War II, the global conflict spanning 1939–1945, indicating a connection to that war effort.

**What major award did Robert Preston win?**
He received the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical, an honor that has been presented in the United States since its inception in 1948.

**When did Robert Preston's career begin?**
His professional work period commenced in 1938, as documented in structured biographical records.

## Why They Matter

Robert Preston matters because he exemplified the rare versatility of a performer who could command live theater, film, and television with equal impact. His Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical placed him among the highest echelon of Broadway performers recognized under one of America's most prestigious theater honors. By working across stage, screen, and television — and also performing as a singer — he demonstrated a breadth of talent that few entertainers achieve. His association with the Western genre also ties him to one of the most enduring and culturally significant storytelling traditions in American entertainment, rooted in narratives of the American Old West. His career, spanning from 1938 to his death in 1987, covered nearly five decades of American performing arts history.

## Notable For

- Winning the **Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical**, established in 1948 in the United States
- Maintaining an active performing career across **stage, film, and television** — three distinct acting disciplines
- Working as a **professional singer** in addition to acting
- Career spanning from **1938 to 1987**, covering nearly five decades
- Connection to the **Western genre**, a signature American multimedia tradition
- Association with **World War II**, the 1939–1945 global conflict
- Recognition across at least **31 documented sitelinks** in structured knowledge bases, with his Wikipedia entry titled "Robert Preston (actor)"
- Also known by his birth name, **Robert Preston Meservey**

## Body

### Early Life and Background

Robert Preston was born Robert Preston Meservey in 1918 in the United States. Little specific biographical detail about his early years is captured in the available source material beyond his nationality and birth name.

### Career Beginnings

Preston's professional work period began in 1938, placing him in the entertainment industry during the late pre-war era of American film and theater. This start date positions him as a working performer through the Golden Age of Hollywood and the rise of live television.

### Stage Career

As a stage actor, Preston performed live before in-person audiences. His work in this medium earned him significant recognition, culminating in the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical. The Tony Award, which has been presented in the United States since its inception in 1948, represents one of the highest honors in American theater. His win in this category specifically recognizes excellence in musical theater performance.

### Film Career

Preston worked as a film actor, appearing in motion pictures. His connection to the Western genre — a multimedia genre of stories set primarily in the American Old West — suggests involvement in frontier-themed films, a staple of American cinema.

### Television Career

In addition to stage and film, Preston performed as a television actor, adapting his talents to the broadcast medium.

### Music Career

Beyond acting, Preston was recognized as a singer — a person who sings for a listening audience. This vocal performance ability likely complemented his work in musical theater and contributed to his Tony Award recognition.

### Military Service

Source material connects Preston to World War II, the global conflict that lasted from 1939 to 1945. This association indicates involvement in or service related to the war effort during that period.

### Legacy

Robert Preston died in 1987, closing out a performing career that began in 1938. His Wikipedia entry is titled "Robert Preston (actor)," and he is documented across 31 sitelinks in structured knowledge systems, reflecting his enduring presence in entertainment reference materials. His Wikidata description identifies him simply and directly as an "American actor and singer (1918–1987)."

## References

1. BnF authorities
2. Integrated Authority File
3. MusicBrainz
4. Virtual International Authority File
5. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
6. SNAC
7. Internet Broadway Database
8. Find a Grave
9. Discogs
10. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
11. CONOR.SI
12. Cinemathèque québécoise Linked Open Data
13. performing-arts.ch