Robert Ellenstein
Biography
Robert Ellenstein was an American actor who began his stage career in 1947 at the Cleveland Play House. He earned a theater degree from the University of Iowa and later studied in New York with Stella Adler. He performed hundreds of stage roles, directed productions in New York, Los Angeles and regional theater, and held artistic leadership roles with The Company of Angels and helped found the Los Angeles Repertory Company. In television, he worked in live drama, playing Quasimodo in a 1950 Robert Montgomery Presents version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and becoming the first actor to portray Albert Einstein on television. He made his film debut in 1954 with Rogue Cop and appeared in North by Northwest (1959), directed by Alfred Hitchcock. He guest starred on Perry Mason, The Untouchables, The Wild Wild West, Ironside and Mission: Impossible, and he appeared in over 200 television productions.
87years old at death
- Born Newark
- Died West Los Angeles
- Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20
Movie Career
- Films
- 9
- Career span
- 31 years1955 to 1986
Share
Did you know?!
A first
A veteran of live television's Golden Age, Ellenstein was the first actor to portray Albert Einstein on TV. He also played Quasimodo in a live Robert Montgomery Presents version of The Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Behind the camera
Ellenstein directed many live television episodes as well, and he directed one episode of Love on a Rooftop, a 1960s sitcom.
Behind the camera
Ellenstein served as artistic director for The Company of Angels. He was also the Founding Artistic Director of the Los Angeles Repertory Company.
Robert Ellenstein movies on Netflix
Star Trek IV: The Voyage Homeas Federation Council President
Love at First Biteas VW Man
The Legend of Lylah Clareas Mike
King of the Roaring 20's – The Story of Arnold Rothsteinas Lenny
North by Northwestas Licht
The Gazeboas Ben
3:10 to Yumaas Ernie Collins
The Garment Jungleas Fred Kenner
Illegalas Joe Knight
Best known for
The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.
- Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home1986 Adventure, Comedy, Sci-Fias Federation Council President
IMDb rating 7.398K votes
Most often with
Robert Aldrich directed two of these films. Six actors appear in two of them each. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.








Films together
Glenn Ford2 films together, 1957 to 1959
Glenn Ford's page The Gazebo1959IMDb rating 6.8Ellenstein as BenFord as Elliott Nash
3:10 to Yuma1957IMDb rating 7.6Ellenstein as Ernie CollinsFord as Ben Wade
Martin Landau2 films together, 1959
Martin Landau's page North by Northwest1959IMDb rating 8.2Ellenstein as LichtLandau as Leonard
The Gazebo1959IMDb rating 6.8Ellenstein as BenLandau as The Duke
Ellen Corby2 films together, 1955 to 1968
Ellen Corby's page The Legend of Lylah Clare1968IMDb rating 5.7Ellenstein as MikeCorby as Script Girl
Illegal1955IMDb rating 7.0Ellenstein as Joe KnightCorby as Miss Hinkel
Edward Platt2 films together, 1955 to 1959
Edward Platt's page North by Northwest1959IMDb rating 8.2Ellenstein as LichtPlatt as Victor Larrabee
Illegal1955IMDb rating 7.0Ellenstein as Joe KnightPlatt as Ralph Ford
DeForest Kelley2 films together, 1955 to 1986
DeForest Kelley's page Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home1986IMDb rating 7.3Ellenstein as Federation Council PresidentKelley as McCoy
Illegal1955IMDb rating 7.0Ellenstein as Joe KnightKelley as Edward Clary(DeForest Kelly)
Adam Williams2 films together, 1957 to 1959
Adam Williams's page North by Northwest1959IMDb rating 8.2Ellenstein as LichtWilliams as Valerian
The Garment Jungle1957IMDb rating 6.6Ellenstein as Fred KennerWilliams as Ox
Robert AldrichDirector, 2 films, 1957 to 1968
All films by Robert Aldrich The Legend of Lylah Clare1968IMDb rating 5.7Ellenstein as Mike
The Garment Jungle1957IMDb rating 6.6Ellenstein as Fred Kenner
Awards
One award and honor.
| Year | Award | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| Other honors | |||
| Purple Heart | Won | ||
Online
Official profiles and reference pages.


