Robert Ginnaven
Encyclopedia
Robert "Bob" Ginnaven was an American
film
and television
actor
.
in the year 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 was in the Navy
during World War II
, worked for years as a deliveryman for Wonder Bread
, also in Memphis.
Ginnaven, Jr. graduated from Southside High School
in Memphis, and from the University of Memphis
with a degree in English. Ginnaven initially was introduced to the theatre by a classmate who suggested he try out for a production at the University of Memphis, and he was hooked for life after that time.
After completing his degree, he moved to New York City
where he studied under Lee Strassberg while trying to get his break into the business. Not being successful, he 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 where Ginnaven, Jr. was employed by KATV as a local weatherman and talk show host. 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. Ginnaven went on from KATV to be employed in the advertising industry, where he would work for the rest of his life. 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.
which was released in 1973, Ginnaven had played Father Duane. In 1981, Ginnaven first appeared on Dallas
, a television show, appearing in only three episodes (Season 5, Episodes 5,6,7), 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 2nd and last television show called Dangerous Curves
in only one episode (Season 1, Episode 12) as Matthew Carlson. According to some websites, it stated that Ginnaven was best known for his appearance in One False Move.
. She still lives in Little Rock.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
and television
Television
Television is a telecommunication medium for transmitting and receiving moving images that can be monochrome or colored, with accompanying sound...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
.
Early life
Ginnaven was born one minute after midnight, Robert Addison Ginnaven, Jr. was officially the first baby born in Memphis, TennesseeMemphis, Tennessee
Memphis is a city in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Tennessee, and the county seat of Shelby County. The city is located on the 4th Chickasaw Bluff, south of the confluence of the Wolf and Mississippi rivers....
in the year 1937. He was the only child born to Pauline (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Boals), and Robert Addison Ginnaven, Sr.. His mother worked for many years as a medical secretary in Downtown Memphis
Downtown Memphis, Tennessee
Downtown Memphis, Tennessee is the central business district of Memphis, Tennessee and is located along the Mississippi River between Interstate 40 to the north, Interstate 55 to the south and I-240 to the east, where it abuts Midtown Memphis....
, and his father, who was in the Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, worked for years as a deliveryman for Wonder Bread
Wonder Bread
Wonder Bread is the name of three North American brands of white bread: One produced by George Weston Bakeries in Canada, another by Hostess Brands in the United States, and the third by Grupo Bimbo in Mexico.- United States :...
, also in Memphis.
Ginnaven, Jr. graduated from Southside High School
South Side High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
South Side High School was a public high school located in Memphis, Tennessee and was part of the Memphis City Schools system. The Current Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps graduated from this school.- Noteworthy Alumni :...
in Memphis, and from the University of Memphis
University of Memphis
The University of Memphis is an American public research university located in the Normal Station neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee and is the flagship public research university of the Tennessee Board of Regents system....
with a degree in English. Ginnaven initially was introduced to the theatre by a classmate who suggested he try out for a production at the University of Memphis, and he was hooked for life after that time.
After completing his degree, he moved to New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
where he studied under Lee Strassberg while trying to get his break into the business. Not being successful, he moved back to Memphis in 1958, where he met his first wife, Ila Verne (née
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
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 where Ginnaven, Jr. was employed by KATV as a local weatherman and talk show host. 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. Ginnaven went on from KATV to be employed in the advertising industry, where he would work for the rest of his life. 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
Married and maiden names
A married name is the family name adopted by a person upon marriage. When a person assumes the family name of her spouse, the new name replaces the maiden name....
Crews) were soon married, and remained married until he died on February 17, 2008.
Acting career
Ginnaven had appeared in films having minor/uncredited roles. Ginnaven was 37 when he first made his film debut in the film Encounter with the UnknownEncounter with the Unknown
- Cast :*Rod Serling as Narrator *Robert Ginnaven as Father Duane*Gary Brockette as Frank Cameron*John Leslie as Randy Powell*Tom Haywood as Dave Terrell*Fran Franklin as Mrs. Davis*James N. Harrell as Brother Taylor*John Cissne as Johnny Davis...
which was released in 1973, Ginnaven had played Father Duane. In 1981, Ginnaven first appeared on Dallas
Dallas (TV series)
Dallas is an American serial drama/prime time soap opera that revolves around the Ewings, a wealthy Texas family in the oil and cattle-ranching industries. Throughout the series, Larry Hagman stars as greedy, scheming oil baron J. R. Ewing...
, a television show, appearing in only three episodes (Season 5, Episodes 5,6,7), Ginnaven was uncredited in the appearance. In 1992, Ginnaven appeared in his 18th and last movie called One False Move
One False Move
One False Move is a 1992 thriller film co-written by Billy Bob Thornton. The film, also starring Thornton, Bill Paxton and Cynda Williams was directed by Carl Franklin. The low-budget B-movie was to be released straight to home video when it was finished. The film became popular through word of...
as Deputy Charlie. During the year, Robert had appeared in his 2nd and last television show called Dangerous Curves
Dangerous Curves
Dangerous Curves is the fifth studio album by British-American hard rock/heavy metal singer and guitarist Lita Ford, released in 1991. Though popular among her fans, the album failed to success as musical tastes were shifting towards alternative rock in late 1991...
in only one episode (Season 1, Episode 12) as Matthew Carlson. According to some websites, it stated that Ginnaven was best known for his appearance in One False Move.
Personal life
Ginnaven married Jeanne Tyler Ginnaven, they lived in Little Rock, Arkansas. Jeanne had been present along with Robert until Robert's death on 17 February 2008, Jeanne had become a widowWidow
A widow is a woman whose spouse has died, while a widower is a man whose spouse has died. The state of having lost one's spouse to death is termed widowhood or occasionally viduity. The adjective form is widowed...
. She still lives in Little Rock.