Robert Culp dies after a fall at his home

Robert Culp, an actor best known for his role in the 1960s television series "I Spy," died Wednesday morning after a fall at his Hollywood home. He was 79.

Authorities said he was rushed to Queen of Angels hospital shortly after 11 a.m. after hitting his head while taking a walk outside his home. He was pronounced dead at the hospital a short time later.

A native Californian, Robert Martin Culp was born Aug. 16, 1930.

He attended what was then the College of the Pacific in Stockton, Washington University of St. Louis and San Francisco State. 

He was married and divorced several times and had five children, according to a biographical reference. 

Culp co-starred in "I Spy" with Bill Cosby, who was the first African American actor to star in a dramatic series on American television. The show ran on NBC from 1965 to 1968.

More details about Culp's death can be found at L.A. Now.

A staff obituary will be posted later Wednesday.

-- Valerie J. Nelson

Photo: Robert Culp wields a tennis racket and gun with Bill Cosby in a publicity photo for the TV series "I Spy." Credit: NBC

Comments

[Cynthia Golden,Tampa,Florida]

Robert Culp was the star of the sixties series " I Spy ",and later appeared on " The Greatest American Hero ",and "Everybody Loves Raymond" Films,television work was always entertaining and thought provoking. I am sorry to hear of his passing,I know his fans remember his performances on early television in such dramas as the Twilight Zone and Outer Limits. He shall be remembered always.

[Mike Dudnikov]

Can't say that Robert Culp was one of the great actors or personalities of his era, but he will always have a special place in my memory. In an era when westerns dominated television, his initial foray into that medium as the star of the show Trackdown was one of my first TV memories. He starred as Texas Ranger Hoby Gilman, who tracked down criminals throughout Texas. And the show later spun off another western, Wanted: Dead or Alive which was Steve McQueen's big break.

I used to get a real kick out of the fact that on I Spy Bill Cosby's character would frequently refer to Culp's character as Hoby. It was a kind an inside joke that it seemed nobody but myself had picked up on. Gave me a great feeling to feel "in the know" at such a young age.

Goodnight Hoby and thanks for many enjoyable performances.

[Marty Gillis]

Robert Culp was excellent as the murderer in 3 separate episodes of Columbo. He played some very sleazy rotten people and chewed up the scenery with ease and drove Columbo crazy! I also thought he was just great in the Get Smart episode that spoofed I Spy where he played the waiter who ended up drinking everyone's drinks, over and over again. Hilarious and he was perfect in it.
I will miss him, and thankfully have some of his best performances in my DVD collection to enjoy again and again. You were a true original Bob. Thanks!