Classic Movie Travels: Robert Rockwell

Classic Movie Travels: Robert Rockwell

Robert Griswold Rockwell was a popular actor on stage, film, radio, and television. He was born on October 15, 1920, in Chicago, Illinois, and raised in Lake Bluff, Illinois. His parents were Harold and Margaret Rockwell. Rockwell also had two sisters: Mary and Georgia.

Rockwell expressed an interest in the performing arts, studying at the Pasadena Playhouse and earning his master’s degree.

As the years went on, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, where he served for four years in Washington, D.C. He returned to acting and secured roles as a contract player at Republic Studios. He appeared on various television shows and on the stage, from uncredited to title roles as well as voiceover work.

In 1942, Rockwell married Elizabeth Anne “Betts” Weiss, also occasionally referred to as “Betty Anne,” with whom he had five children: Susan, Robert, Jeffrey, Gregory, and Alison. They two met when Weiss was studying costume design at the Pasadena Playhouse. The couple eventually relocated to Pacific Palisades when they were expecting their fifth child. They remained married until his passing in 2003.

Rockwell’s most notable role was as biology teacher Philip Boynton, succeeding Jeff Chandler as the character in the radio, television, and film iterations of Our Miss Brooks (1956). He was also a founding member of the California Artists Radio Theatre, in addition to pursuing work beyond his radio roles.

Because Rockwell became so identified with the Boynton character in the Our Miss Brooks comedy series, attaining dramatic roles was more difficult. Nonetheless, he would appear in television programs such as Perry Mason and Gunsmoke in addition to starring in the western-themed series, The Man from Blackhawk. His television appearances continued with guest roles as well as working in advertisements; in particular, he could be spotted in the 1995 Werthers Original commercial, portraying a grandfather treating his grandson to the candy.

Off-screen, Rockwell and his wife were very much involved with their community. They hosted ice cream sundae socials for their friends and family at their home in Pacific Palisades, California. Rockwell also worked as one of the coaches for the Redbirds little league baseball team, which was part of the Palisades Recreation Center.

Once Rockwell’s children grew up and began to establish their lives in Southern California and beyond, Rockwell and his wife moved to Malibu. Weiss dreamed of living in a home that looked out on the ocean. She maintained the residence until her passing in 2019.

Rockwell passed away on January 25, 2003, in Malibu, California, from cancer. He was 82 years old.

In 1920, Rockwell’s family lived at 115 Center St., Lake Bluff, Illinois. The home stands today.

In 1930, Rockwell’s family relocated to 230 Evanston Ave., Lake Bluff, Illinois. This home has since been razed.

In 1947, Rockwell and his wife lived at 94 N. Raymond Ave., Pasadena, California. This home remains.

In 1950, Rockwell’s family moved to 13971 Peach Grove Ln., Sherman Oaks, California. This home also remains.

By 1960, Rockwell and his family resided at 650 Toyopa Dr., Pacific Palisades, California. This home no longer stands.

Rockwell and his wife also resided at 18428 Coastline Dr., Malibu, California. This home remains.

The Pasadena Playhouse remains at 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena, California.

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–Annette Bochenek for Classic Movie Hub

Annette Bochenek pens our monthly Classic Movie Travels column. You can read all of Annette’s Classic Movie Travel articles here.

Annette Bochenek of Chicago, Illinois, is a PhD student at Dominican University and an independent scholar of Hollywood’s Golden Age. She manages the Hometowns to Hollywood blog, in which she writes about her trips exploring the legacies and hometowns of Golden Age stars. Annette also hosts the “Hometowns to Hollywood” film series throughout the Chicago area. She has been featured on Turner Classic Movies and is the president of TCM Backlot’s Chicago chapter. In addition to writing for Classic Movie Hub, she also writes for Silent Film Quarterly, Nostalgia Digest, and Chicago Art Deco SocietyMagazine.