Robert Apisa (born June 4, 1945) is an American actor and former football fullback. He played college football at Michigan State University.
Early life Apisa, one of eleven children, was born in American Samoa. His parents moved the family to Oahu, Hawaii when he was seven. Apisa began playing football while in ninth grade at Farrington High School, where he also practiced baseball and track.
Career
College career Apisa accepted a football scholarship from Michigan State University. He was named a starter at fullback as a sophomore, registering 126 carries for 715 yards (second on the team and third in the conference), a 5.7-yard average and 10 touchdowns. At the end of the season, he was limited with injuries, but still was able to become the first player of Samoan ancestry to be named All-American. He required off-season knee surgery.
On November 19, 1966, he was a part of the contest played against the University of Notre Dame called "The Game of the Century", which ended in a 10–10 tie. It was also the first ever live television sports broadcast in Hawaii. He had 140 rushing yards and one touchdown against the University of Michigan. He suffered a knee injury in the seventh game against Northwestern University and missed most of the remaining contests. He posted 86 carries for 445 yards (5.2-yard avg.) and 9 touchdowns.
As a senior, he struggled to recover from off-season knee surgery. He tallied only 50 carries for 183 yards during the season. Besides being a notable blocker, he finished his college career as the school's all-time leading rushing fullback with 1,343 yards. He was a part of two national championship teams (1965 and 1966).
In 2017, he was inducted into the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame. In 2018, he was inducted into the Polynesian Football Hall of Fame.
Professional career Apisa was selected by the Green Bay Packers in the ninth round (245th overall) of the 1968 NFL/AFL draft. He was waived on July 30.
Acting After retiring from professional football, Apisa spent more than 33 years working as a character actor and stunt coordinator in television series and films.
Personal life Apisa's grandson, Jacob Isaia, is an offensive lineman for Michigan State University and California State University, Fresno.
Filmography
Film +YearTitleRoleNotes1986Free RideThug #11987Three O'Clock HighCop #11987Code Name ZebraAlonso1987GrotesquePatrick1990Heart ConditionTeller1990The Forbidden DanceSecurity Guard #21991The Perfect WeaponMan with Red BandanaUncredited1991The Last Boy ScoutBaynard's Bodyguard1992Kill FeeBodyguard #11993Nowhere to RunPrisoner1993Point of No ReturnThe V.I.P.1993The SandlotHome Plate Umpire1993Hard TargetMr. Lopacki1993The Painted DesertBones1994The SpecialistNed's Thug in Hotel RoomUncredited1994A Low Down Dirty ShameBouncer at Bar1995Under Siege 2: Dark TerritoryDane's Tech1996Executive DecisionJean-Paul Demou1996Courage Under FireIraqi Tank Commander1996FledJose Marti1996The Glimmer ManSmith's BodyguardUncredited1996Santa with MusclesFranco1997Gang RelatedBailiff1998The Replacement KillersThug1998SaviorColonelUncredited
Television YearTitleRoleNotes1973–1977Hawaii Five-OPortuguese, Regan, George3 episodes1980WaikikiKaheaTelevision film1981–1987Magnum, P.I.Various roles6 episodes1985J.O.E. and the ColonelSchaefer's HenchmanTelevision film1985RiptideReedEpisode: "Robin and Marian"1985–1986AirwolfVarious roles5 episodes1986The Fall GuyCopEpisode: "Tag Team"1986–1988HunterVarious roles3 episodes1988Simon & SimonGarciaEpisode: "Forever Hold Your Piece"1988L.A. LawCop #2Episode: "Hand Roll Express"1988Quiet Victory: The Charlie Wedemeyer StoryKahunaTelevision film1989SnoopsSantosEpisode: "Photo Opportunity"1989, 1990Jake and the FatmanKonahe, Raymond Say2 episodes1990Twin PeaksBodyguard on StairsEpisode: "The Orchid's Curse"1991The FlashJoey C.'s BodyguardEpisode: "Alpha"1992, 1993RenegadeBouncer, Corelli2 episodes1993Marked for MurderGiradoTelevision film1993RavenSamoan SamEpisode: "Heat"1993Diagnosis: MurderForemanEpisode: "Inheritance of Death"1994Dead at 21Secret Service #2Episode: "Use Your Illusion"1999BaywatchErikEpisode: "Water Dance"
References
External links Bob Apisa's journey from American Samoa to Michigan State Hall of Fame