The Robert Urich Story - An Extraordinary Life

Radio and Television personality, Joe Martelle, Author of Radio Pro, the definitive book on personality radio presents a comprehensive overdue portrait of one of Hollywood's all-time popular actors, Robert Urich. In this first and only authorized biography, Martelle paints a personal portrait of his late friend's life and career. With riveting story-telling thanks to unprecedented access to Urich's personal journal, the author masterfully weaves  the actor's own words with his  narrative, obtained from countless interviews with Bob's late wife, Heather Menzies Urich, family members, friends, classmates and co-workers to reveal a compelling insight into a complex man who for three decades was the one of Hollywood and television's most popular stars.

Urich starred in a record 16 television series, including Vega$, Spenser: For Hire and the popular CBS mini-series Lonesome Dove. However, Bob's greatest role as the author describes was spokesperson for the American Cancer Society and his six-year battle with cancer. Traveling across America, preaching the gospel of survival, Robert Urich served as an inspiration to thousands dealing with their own disease and urging them never to quit or give up hope for a cure. Previously, unreleased family photo's capture touching moments of the actor's life, including those taken during his final years.

Robert Urich's handsome face, complete with his boyish grin was familiar to television viewers for well over 30 years, but until now, little was known about his off-screen life, because of his intense privacy. His personal life remained in the shadows. This in-depth biography reveals everything you ever wanted to know about the actor's life and career. A consummate professional, Urich shunned the Hollywood spotlight, but was tenacious in his attempt to be the very best in everything he undertook. As Martelle points out, "Bob was a really good guy, who loved acting, but loved his family more." As you will read, Robert Urich did lead an extraordinary life and his story told here will remain the definitive biography.

Joe Martelle was a popular radio and television air personality for over 40 years. His on-air career began in his home state of Maine, where he was
inducted in the Maine Radio & TV Hall of Fame in  2013. Joe was one of Boston's most beloved radio performers for 20 years. In addition to his morning-drive show on 98.5-WROR, he also hosted the most popular all-request oldie show in the history of Boston radio. Saturday Nite 'Live' at the Oldies was #1 for 12 consecutive years. While on radio in Boston, he pulled double-duty as host of several television programs, including  an afternoon movie on Ch.-68 and a kids show TV-POW on the local Fox TV affiliate. Joe's radio career also includes on-air stints in Cincinnati at WLW, KLDE Houston and Sunny 104.5 in West Palm Beach. Joe and his wife Kimmie live in the tranquil mountains of Western Colorado, where they share the land with their numerous four-legged friends.