ACTOR · BORN 1945
Bob Gunton
- Born
- 15 November 1945, Santa Monica, California, USA
- Known for
- The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Argo (2012), Marvel's Daredevil (2015), Ghostbusters: Afterlife (2021)
14 archived facts 3 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
All facts (14)
- #001
Bob Gunton served in the United States Army between 1969 and 1971. During that service he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal for his participation in the conflict in Vietnam and the Bronze Star for his courage. His military experience played a significant role in shaping his disciplined and determined character and added depth to the authoritarian roles he would later portray.
- #002
Over the course of his career, Bob Gunton portrayed four different U.S. presidents on screen. He played Richard Nixon in the 1997 production Elvis Meets Nixon, Woodrow Wilson in the 2004 production Iron Jawed Angels, and Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 2008 production World War Two: Behind Closed Doors. Finally, in 2019 he appeared before audiences as Harry S. Truman in the tenth episode of the series Project Blue Book, titled 'The Washington Merry-Go-Round'. Playing these four different presidents demonstrated Gunton's mastery of characterizing historical figures.
- #003
In his film career, Bob Gunton succeeded in appearing in four productions nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture. These are Born on the Fourth of July (1989), JFK (1991), The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and Argo (2012). Argo won the award in that category, making it the only Oscar-winning film on Gunton's list. These films proved his ability to appear in productions that were both critically acclaimed and reached wide audiences.
- #004
Bob Gunton was the only actor with a Spanish accent in the original Broadway production of the musical Evita. This detail shows the care he gave to his character and his commitment to the role. His use of the accent while playing the Argentine figure Juan Domingo Perón added authenticity to his performance and made it easier for audiences to believe in the character.
- #005
Bob Gunton was nominated for a Tony Award twice in his theater career. He received his first nomination in 1980 in the Best Featured Actor in a Musical category for the musical Evita. Ten years later, in 1990, he was nominated in the Best Actor in a Musical category for his leading performance in the revived version of Sweeney Todd. These two nominations revealed his versatility in musical theater as both a supporting and a leading performer.
- #006
Bob Gunton was honored with a Drama Desk Award in 1980 for the musical Evita staged on Broadway. He won the award for his performance as Juan Domingo Perón and worked on stage alongside such notable names of the period as Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin. This success consolidated his reputation in the world of musical theater and was an important turning point in his career.
- #007
Bob Gunton continued his education at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, California, and graduated from there in 1964. His high school years are known as the period when his interest in theater took root. This education formed an important foundation for his later stage and screen career.
- #008
After high school, Bob Gunton pursued higher education at the University of California, Irvine, and graduated from there in 1968. His university years were the period in which he developed his acting abilities and decided to turn his passion for theater into a professional career. This academic background was influential in shaping his artistic perspective.
- #009
Bob Gunton has a daughter named Olivia Gunton. Gunton, who prefers not to share much information about his family, has managed to keep his private life out of the public eye. Alongside her father's success in the art world, Olivia is known as one of his most important sources of inspiration.
- #010
In 2009, Bob Gunton was one of the actors profiled in the book 'Character Kings: Hollywood's Familiar Faces Discuss the Art & Business of Acting', written by Scott Voisin. The book examines the experiences of character actors who are recognized in Hollywood but generally appear in supporting roles, and their perspectives on the art of acting. Gunton's inclusion in the book shows his standing in the industry and the value of his experience.
- #011
Over his career, Bob Gunton appeared alongside David Strathairn in four different films. These films are Matewan (1987), Judgment (1990), Dolores Claiborne (1995) and Fracture (2007). This long-running collaboration between the two actors reveals the strength of the rapport and professional relationship between them. Both actors are known for their mastery of character acting.
- #012
Bob Gunton's parents are Robert Patrick Sr. and Rose Marie Gunton. Although many details about his family have not been shared with the public, Gunton's roots and family ties form an important part of his personal background. This information is a valuable detail for fans who want to understand his life story.
- #013
In 1980, Bob Gunton was honored with two important theater awards for his performance in the play 'How I Got That Story': the Clarence Derwent Award and the Obie Award. These awards were an indication that his talent and creativity on stage were recognized. This success consolidated Gunton's place in the theater world and opened the door to larger projects in later periods of his career.
- #014
Bob Gunton was born on November 15, 1945, at 12:44 in the afternoon Pacific Time. This birth time is frequently mentioned by fans interested in his astrological profile. Gunton's moment of birth was recorded as part of his personal history and has taken its place among biographical information.
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