Who was Robert Pastorelli? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Robert Joseph Pastorelli

Died At Age: 49

Family:

father: Ledo Pastorelli

mother: Dotty

siblings: Gwen Pastorelli

children: Gianna Li Pastorelli, Giannina Marie Pastorelli

Partner: Charemon Jonovich; (20 Aug 1973–15 - March 1999; her death)

Actors American Men

Height: 5'10" (178 cm), 5'10" Males

Died on: March 8, 2004

place of death: Los Angeles, California, United States

Ancestry: Italian American

: Morphine Overdose

Cause of Death: Drug Overdose

City: New Brunswick, New Jersey

U.S. State: New Jersey

Recommended For You

1

Is Robert Pastorelli still alive?

No, Robert Pastorelli passed away on March 8, 2004, at the age of 49.
2

What movies did Robert Pastorelli appear in?

Robert Pastorelli appeared in movies such as "Dances with Wolves," "Eraser," and "Be Cool."
3

Did Robert Pastorelli have any notable TV roles?

Yes, Robert Pastorelli is best known for his role as Eldin Bernecky on the TV show "Murphy Brown."
4

Was Robert Pastorelli a talented artist besides acting?

Yes, besides acting, Robert Pastorelli was also a talented painter and sculptor.
5

Where is Robert Pastorelli buried?

Robert Pastorelli is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles.

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American Film & Theater Personalities

Childhood & Early Life

Robert Pastorelli was born on June 21, 1954, in New Brunswick, New Jersey, to Ledo and Dotty Pastorelli. His mother was an artist, and his father was an insurance salesman. Robert grew up with his sister, Gwen, who later became a real-estate agent and an opera singer.

Robert grew up in Edison, New Jersey, and enrolled at ‘Edison High School,’ from where he graduated in 1972. While in school, Robert became an avid boxer and hoped to build a career in the sport. A dangerous car accident at the age of 19 ruined Robert’s plans of becoming a boxer. He escaped death narrowly. He claimed to have had a near-death “out of body” experience in his hospital bed.

Although he recovered from the accident, his life was not the same. He was engulfed by depression and took to narcotics. He recovered soon, but he never quite managed to stay away from drugs completely for the rest of his life.

The difficult period in his early 20s pushed him into performing arts. He learned acting from the ‘New York Academy of Theatrical Arts’ and the ‘Actors Studio’ in New York. He also participated in many theatrical plays during that time. To make ends meet, he also worked part-time as a bartender.

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Career

His first notable appearance as a theater actor was in 1977, with the classic play titled ‘Rebel without a Cause.’ He also played key roles in productions of other popular plays, such as ‘Death of a Salesman’ and ‘The Rainmaker.’

He was part of many theatrical plays in the late 1970s and the early 1980s. In 1982, he finally decided to make the big move to Los Angeles.

In 1983, he made his TV debut with the small role of ‘Leroy’ in the TV series ‘Knight Rider.’ The same year, he also appeared in the series titled ‘Newhart.’

In 1984, he starred in the first TV film of his career, ‘I Married a Centerfold.’ The film featured him in an unnamed character of a security guard.

In 1985, he starred in the TV series ‘The A-Team’ and the TV film ‘California Girls.’ The next year, he managed to bag a bigger role, in the series ‘Beauty and the Beast.’ The series featured him in the role of ‘Vick Ramos/Tony Perotta.’

In 1987, he made his big-screen debut with the small role of a dealer in the comedy film ‘Outrageous Fortune’ and then appeared as ‘Vinnie’ in the film ‘Beverly Hills Cop II.’ The same year, he also appeared in a supporting role in the TV film ‘Hands of a Stranger.’

In 1988, Robert appeared in the first supporting film role of his career, in the comedy–drama film ‘Memories of Me.’ Although the film was a commercial failure, it earned some good reviews.

The same year, Robert had a major career breakthrough when he starred in the sitcom ‘Murphy Brown,’ playing ‘Eldin Bernecky,’ one of the main roles. Robert’s character was part of the main cast in the first seven seasons of the show. In the ninth and the tenth seasons, Robert’s role was reduced to a guest appearance.

The success of ‘Murphy Brown’ was followed by the supporting role of ‘Timmons’ in the 1990 film ‘Dances with Wolves.’ The film was a huge commercial and critical success and won seven ‘Academy Awards,’ including one for the ‘Best Picture.’

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In 1992, Robert appeared in the supporting role of ‘Fred’ in the comedy–drama film ‘Folks!.’ which was a major critical and commercial debacle.

In 1995, Robert was offered the leading role of ‘Johnny Verona’ in the TV series titled ‘Double Rush.’ The series received poor ratings and was taken off-air after one season.

In 1996, Robert was offered a supporting role in the action–thriller film ‘Eraser,’ which also starred Arnold Schwarzenegger. The film received average reviews but was a major box-office success.

In 1997, Robert appeared in a leading role in the crime-drama series ‘Cracker,’ which was canceled after one season. Just when his career was on the verge of turning successful, his girlfriend died under unexplained circumstances. This impacted his career negatively, and he never quite recovered from it.

In the early 2000s, Robert appeared in the TV movie ‘South Pacific’ and the comedy film ‘Be Cool.’ The latter was his final (posthumous) appearance.

Family, Personal Life & Death

On March 15, 1999, his 25-year-old girlfriend, Charemon Jonovich, died from a gunshot to her head. Robert claimed that following an intensely heated argument, she had taken a gun and had shot herself in the head. However, the ‘Los Angeles Coroner’s Office’ declared that the cause of death was undetermined.

Robert Pastorelli received sympathy from Hollywood and the media, but his career went downhill after this incident.

On March 8, 2004, Robert was found dead in his house located in the Hollywood Hills. The cause of death was confirmed to be a narcotic overdose.

Robert had two daughters: Gianna Li Pastorelli, with Charemon, and Giannina Marie Pastorelli, with another girlfriend, Jalee Carder.

Facts About Robert Pastorelli

Robert Pastorelli was an accomplished painter and sculptor in addition to being a talented actor.

He was known for his love of animals and often brought his beloved pet parrot on set.

Pastorelli was an avid collector of vintage cars and motorcycles, showcasing his passion for classic vehicles.

He had a reputation for being a prankster on set, always keeping his fellow cast and crew members entertained with his sense of humor.

Pastorelli was a dedicated philanthropist, supporting various charitable causes throughout his life.

Robert Pastorelli Biography

You wanted to know

Is Robert Pastorelli still alive?

What movies did Robert Pastorelli appear in?

Did Robert Pastorelli have any notable TV roles?

Was Robert Pastorelli a talented artist besides acting?

Where is Robert Pastorelli buried?