Robert Addison Ginnaven Jr. (January 1, 1937 – February 17, 2008) was an American film and television actor.
Early life and education Ginnaven was born in Memphis, Tennessee, in 1937. He was the only child born to Pauline (née Boals), and Robert Addison Ginnaven, Sr. His mother worked for many years as a medical secretary in Downtown Memphis, and his father, who served in the United States Navy during World War II, worked for years as a deliveryman for Wonder Bread, also in Memphis.
Ginnaven graduated from Southside High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the University of Memphis. Ginnaven was initially introduced to the theatre by a classmate who suggested he try out for a college production.
Career After completing his degree, Ginnaven moved to New York City, where he studied under Lee Strasberg. where Ginnaven was employed by KATV as a weatherman and talk show host. Ginnaven was later employed in the advertising industry, where he worked for the rest of his life.
Acting career Ginnaven appeared in minor or uncredited roles. Ginnaven was 37 when he made his film debut in Encounter with the Unknown, which was released in 1973. Ginnaven played Father Duane. In 1981, Ginnaven appeared on Dallas, appearing in only three episodes; Ginnaven was uncredited in the appearance. In 1992, Ginnaven appeared in his 18th and last movie called One False Move as Deputy Charlie. During the year, Robert had appeared in his second and last television show called Dangerous Curves in one episode as Matthew Carlson. According to some websites, it stated that Ginnaven was best known for his appearance in One False Move. Ginnaven also had a small but noticeable appearance in White Lightning, where he plays a friend of Ned Beatty's character Sheriff J.C. Connors.
Personal life Ginnaven moved back to Memphis in 1958, where he met his first wife, Ila Verne (née Crews) at an open-call audition being held by the local PBS station. Married December 21, 1958, Bob and Ila had their first child, Robert Addison Ginnaven III, on October 29, 1959. Not long after their son was born, Bob and Ila moved from Memphis to Little Rock, Arkansas. On May 15, 1961, their second child and only daughter, Elizabeth Leigh Ginnaven, was born. Their last child, Christopher Crews Ginnaven, was born on August 7, 1962. Ila died of complications from lung cancer on August 31, 1994. A few years later, Bob remarried Ann Vickers who was at the time the director of sales at KATV, the same TV station Ginnaven, Jr. had started at when he first moved to Little Rock. The marriage lasted a number of years, but ultimately ended in an amicable divorce. Not long after Ginnaven, Jr. was divorced, he began to date a friend by the name of Jeanne Crews. Ginnaven, Jr. and Jeanne Ginnaven (née Crews) were soon married, and remained married until he died on February 17, 2008.
Ginnaven married Jeanne Tyler Ginnaven; they lived in Little Rock, Arkansas.
Filmography
Film +YearTitleRoleNotes1972Encounter with the UnknownFather Duane1973So Sad About GloriaChris Kenner1973White LightningHarvey1974The Great Lester BoggsT. T. Boggs1977The Day It Came to EarthLt. Kelly1982The Best Little Whorehouse in TexasReporter1982Deadly ChoiceDr. Bob Reasoner1987Three for the RoadDr. Hastings1987End of the LineState Trooper1987Pass the AmmoMean1988Stay Tuned for MurderJudge Barnevay1989Steel MagnoliasMayor Van Meter1992One False MoveCharlie
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1977The Trial of Lee Harvey OswaldTelevision film1981Crisis at Central HighGeneral Thomas WoodsTelevision film1981–1987DallasPolice Officer6 episodes1983AdamDet. Vincent CorraoTelevision film1984Time BombHalifax1985Right to Kill?Det. Marquez1992Dangerous CurvesMatthew CarlsonEpisode: "Obsession"
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