Robert Gottschall Explained

Robert Gottschall
Birth Name:	Robert Elmer Gottschall
Birth Date:	15 September 1915
Birth Place:	Dallas, Texas, U.S.
Death Place:	Austin, Texas, U.S.
Occupation:	Actor
Years Active:	1939–1984
Children:	3

Robert Elmer Gottschall^[1] (September 15, 1915  - January 3, 2005), sometimes credited in films by the stage name Bob Shaw or Robert Shaw, was an American actor.

Early life and career

Born and raised in Dallas, Texas,^{[1] [2]} Gottschall was the younger of two sons born to Kitty Carol Rife and Lester B. Gottschall.^{[3] [4] [5]} He attended Southern Methodist University and performed with the Dallas Little School of Theatre in 1936. He attracted a talent scout's attention after one semester.^[6] He had a three-year contract with 20th Century Fox before joining the military. The contract was accompanied by the professional name Robert Shaw.^[7]

Gottschall enlisted in the United States Army during World War II and served five years. He later re-enlisted and served in the military until 1963.^[8]

Gottschall married Mary Sue Mills on August 15, 1942, in Asbury Park, New Jersey.^[9]

When he died, just weeks after his wife of over 62 years, he was buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas.^[10]

Filmography

• Rose of Washington Square (1939) as Newspaper reporter (uncredited)
• Boy Friend (1939) as Cracker
• Young Mr. Lincoln (1939) as Dancer in Ballroom Seen Dancing with Old Woman (uncredited)
• Charlie Chan in Reno (1939) as College Student (uncredited)
• Quick Millions (1939) as National Park Ranger Barry Frazier
• Here I Am a Stranger (1939) as College Student
• 20,000 Men a Year (1939) as Tommy Howell
• The Grapes of Wrath (1940) as Gas Station Attendant #1 in Needles (uncredited)
• Johnny Apollo (1940) as Clerk (uncredited)
• Star Dust (1940) as Boy Leaving Hollywood (uncredited)
• Lillian Russell (1940) as Undetermined Role (uncredited)
• Sailor's Lady (1940) as Ensign (uncredited)
• Manhattan Heartbeat (1940) in a bit role (uncredited)
• Young People (1940) as Usher (uncredited)
• The Great Profile (1940) as Reporter (uncredited)
• Public Deb No. 1 (1940) as Reporter (uncredited)
• Golden Hoofs (1941) as Party Guest (uncredited)
• Adam Had Four Sons (1941) as Chris Stoddard (older)
• Tobacco Road (1941) as Hillbilly (uncredited)
• Ride on Vaquero (1941) as Lieutenant Kirk
• Rise and Shine (1941) as Student Asst. Manager (uncredited)
• Sex Hygiene (1942) can be seen several times in audience watching training film
• Son of the Guardsman (1946) as David Trent (as Bob Shaw)
• The Late George Apley (1947) as Bit Role (uncredited)
• Captain from Castile (1947) as Spanish Army Officer (uncredited)
• Berlin Express (1948) as Train ticket seller(uncredited)
• Honeysuckle Rose (1980) as Store Clerk
• The Big Brawl (1980) as Man on Beach (as Robert Gottschall)
• Adam (1983) as Father Mike Conboy (as Robert Gottschall)
• The Sky's No Limit (1984) as Dr. Belkin (Last appearance)

Notes and References

1. "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:VDFD-T4C : 1 January 2015), Robert Elmer Gottschall, 15 Sep 1915; from "Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997," database and images, Ancestry (http://www.ancestry.com : 2005); citing Texas Department of State Health Services.
2. https://www.newspapers.com/image/775742435/?clipping_id=151300222 "With Signal Corps"
3. "United States Census, 1920",, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MC99-J81 : Sun Mar 10 07:26:34 UTC 2024), Entry for Lester B Gottschall and Kitty Gottschall, 1920.
4. "United States Census, 1930",, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:HPNL-5N2 : Sat Jul 06 06:01:42 UTC 2024), Entry for Lester B Gottschall and Kitty C Gottschall, 1930.
5. "Texas Birth Certificates, 1903-1935",, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X2G4-94R : Fri Mar 08 16:24:59 UTC 2024), Entry for Robert E Gottschall and L B Gottschall, 15 Sep 1915. See also:
   • "United States, Social Security Numerical Identification Files (NUMIDENT), 1936-2007", database, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:6K7G-PZV4 : 10 February 2023), Kittie Rife in entry for Robert Gottschall, .
6. News: Rosetta . Lisa . Shining Star . May 8, 2021 . Victoria Advocate . July 27, 2000 . Texas, Victoria . 33. Newspapers.com.
7. News: Cohen . Harold W. . The Drama Desk . July 14, 2024 . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . February 15, 1939 . https://web.archive.org/web/20240714014825/https://www.newspapers.com/article/pittsburgh-post-gazette-gottschall-to-sh/125674393/ . July 14, 2024 . 10. .
8. News: Gottschall . May 8, 2021 . Victoria Advocate . July 27, 2000 . Texas, Victoria . 34. Newspapers.com.
9. News: Miss Mills Weds Former Actor . July 14, 2024 . The Daily Oklahoman . September 20, 1942 . 4 C. .
10. News: Obituary: Robert Gottschall . . 2005-01-09 . 2019-11-24.