Robert Tessier

Biography

Born in Lowell, Massachusetts, Robert Tessier was an American actor and stuntman who built a screen career around imposing, menacing villains. His motorcycle stunts in the circus helped him land his first movie role in The Born Losers (1967), which Tom Laughlin directed. His bald head, large frame, and intimidating look then led to a long line of heavies in film and on television. He played the bare knuckle fighter opposite Charles Bronson in Hard Times (1975) and a lead villain in Breakheart Pass (1975). He also appeared as Kevin in The Deep (1977) and played the menacing convict Connie Shokner alongside Burt Reynolds in the 1974 comedy-drama The Longest Yard. He died in 1990.

56years old at death

Born June 2, 1934Lowell
Died October 11, 1990Lowell
Star sign: GeminiThe sign runs May 21 to June 20

Movie Career

Films: 13
Career span: 22 years1967 to 1989

Genres

Action46%, 6 films
Crime38%, 5 films
Adventure31%, 4 films
Comedy23%, 3 films
Drama23%, 3 films

First and latest

Did you know?!

First role
Tessier was a skilled motorcycle rider who performed circus stunts. Those abilities landed him his first movie part, in The Born Losers, which Tom Laughlin directed.
A change of course
Tessier was a paratrooper in the Korean War, and his service earned him a Silver Star and two Purple Hearts.
A change of course
Tessier was a cabinet maker when he was not acting, and he often built pieces for the actors he worked with.

Robert Tessier movies on Netflix

Future Force1989IMDb rating 3.4as Becker
Nightwish1989IMDb rating 4.8as Stanley
Double Exposure1982IMDb rating 4.9as Bartender
The Sword and the Sorcerer1982IMDb rating 5.5as Verdugo
The Villain1979IMDb rating 5.3as Mashing Finger
Hooper1978IMDb rating 6.4as Amtrac
Starcrash1978IMDb rating 4.0as Chief Thor
The Deep1977IMDb rating 6.3as Kevin
Breakheart Pass1975IMDb rating 6.7as Levi Calhoun
Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze1975IMDb rating 5.4as Dutchman
Hard Times1975IMDb rating 7.2as Jim Henry
Cry Blood Apache1970IMDb rating 3.5as Two Card Charlie
The Born Losers1967IMDb rating 5.9as Cueball

Best known for

The films on Netflix they are best known for, with the part played in each.

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The Deep1977 Adventure, Mystery, Thrilleras Kevin
IMDb rating 6.316K votes
Starcrash1978 Action, Adventure, Sci-Fias Chief Thor
IMDb rating 4.09.0K votes
The Sword and the Sorcerer1982as Verdugo
IMDb rating 5.59.2K votes
Hard Times1975as Jim Henry
IMDb rating 7.215K votes
Future Force1989as Becker
IMDb rating 3.41.3K votes
The Villain1979as Mashing Finger
IMDb rating 5.38.5K votes
The Born Losers1967as Cueball
IMDb rating 5.93.3K votes
Breakheart Pass1975as Levi Calhoun
IMDb rating 6.711K votes

Most often with

Hal Needham directed two of these films. Jack Starrett appears in three of them, more than any other actor. Pick a number on the chart or a name in the list to see the films they share.

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Jack Starrett

Charles Bronson

Sally Kirkland

Strother Martin

Jill Ireland

Pamela Hensley

Hal NeedhamDirector, 2 films

Films together

Jack Starrett3 films together, 1967 to 1989
Jack Starrett's page
- Nightwish1989IMDb rating 4.8Tessier as StanleyStarrett as Professor
- Cry Blood Apache1970IMDb rating 3.5Tessier as Two Card CharlieStarrett as The Deacon
- The Born Losers1967IMDb rating 5.9Tessier as CueballStarrett as Deputy Fred
Charles Bronson2 films together, 1975
Charles Bronson's page
- Breakheart Pass1975IMDb rating 6.7Tessier as Levi CalhounBronson as Deakin
- Hard Times1975IMDb rating 7.2Tessier as Jim HenryBronson as Chaney
Sally Kirkland2 films together, 1975 to 1982
Sally Kirkland's page
- Double Exposure1982IMDb rating 4.9Tessier as BartenderKirkland as Hooker
- Breakheart Pass1975IMDb rating 6.7Tessier as Levi CalhounKirkland as Jane-Marie
Strother Martin2 films together, 1975 to 1979
Strother Martin's page
- The Villain1979IMDb rating 5.3Tessier as Mashing FingerMartin as Parody Jones
- Hard Times1975IMDb rating 7.2Tessier as Jim HenryMartin as Poe
Jill Ireland2 films together, 1975
Jill Ireland's page
- Breakheart Pass1975IMDb rating 6.7Tessier as Levi CalhounIreland as Marica
- Hard Times1975IMDb rating 7.2Tessier as Jim HenryIreland as Lucy Simpson
Pamela Hensley2 films together, 1975 to 1982
Pamela Hensley's page
- Double Exposure1982IMDb rating 4.9Tessier as BartenderHensley as Sgt. Fontain
- Doc Savage: The Man of Bronze1975IMDb rating 5.4Tessier as DutchmanHensley as Mona
Hal NeedhamDirector, 2 films, 1978 to 1979
All films by Hal Needham
- The Villain1979IMDb rating 5.3Tessier as Mashing Finger
- Hooper1978IMDb rating 6.4Tessier as Amtrac
Also two films together2 more actors
- Earl MaynardThe Sword and the Sorcerer (1982) and The Deep (1977)
- Ray BickelThe Villain (1979) and Hooper (1978)
When several people share the same number of films, the ones with the most films on Netflix are in the chart.

Awards

Two awards and honors.

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Robert Tessier's awards and nominations, grouped by award
Year	Award	Result
Other honors
	Purple Heart	Won
	Silver Star	Won

Online

Official profiles and reference pages.

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