Bobby Van

Bobby Van (December 6, 1928–July 31, 1980) was probably best known for his musical and acting career on Broadway in the 1960s and 1970s.

Van was born Robert Jack Stein to vaudeville parents in The Bronx, New York City, and grew up backstage to many memorable depression-era acts. Originally, Van took King as his stage name (after his father's stage name, from the trio "Gordon, Reed and King"). He finally opted for Van, supposedly after seeing a Van Johnson poster hanging in his sister's bedroom.

Van began his career as a musician, playing trumpet. When his band played a venue in the Catskills, Van was asked to fill in as a song and dance man for another act. His act drew rave reviews, and gave Van a thrill out of performing live as a solo act.

In the early 1950s, while Van was married to starlet Diane Garrett, he appeared in several films and television shows, including the title role in The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953). However, most of Van's roles involving singing and dancing, and the era of the Hollywood musical was waning.

In the 1960s, Van did comedy work with Mickey Rooney in films and television. He also did some choreography, as his father had years earlier. In 1968, Van married Broadway actress Elaine Joyce, and together they appeared on 1970s game shows like Tattletales and Match Game. Their only child, daughter Taylor, was born 1977.

Van's last television appearance was as the host for the "Mrs. America Pageant" in 1980, which he had emceed for several years. In 1979, Van was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor; he survived the initial surgery, but after a year-long battle with cancer, Van succumbed to the disease in Los Angeles at the age of 51. Van is interred at Mt. Sinai Memorial Park in Burbank.


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Sinai Memorial Park in Burbank. Willis guested in the hit television show Friends playing Paul Stevens, short-term boyfriend to Rachel Green in series six (2000). Van is interred at Mt. Currently, Willis is dating Days of Our Lives actress Nadia Bjorlin. In 1979, Van was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor; he survived the initial surgery, but after a year-long battle with cancer, Van succumbed to the disease in Los Angeles at the age of 51. Willis and Moore remain on friendly terms and often attend public events together. America Pageant" in 1980, which he had emceed for several years. Since their breakup, rumors have persisted that the couple plan to re-marry, but no official announcements have ever been made.

Van's last television appearance was as the host for the "Mrs. Willis and Moore had three children during their thirteen-year union: Rumer Glen Willis (born 1988), Scout LaRue Willis (1991) and Tallulah Belle Willis (1994). Their only child, daughter Taylor, was born 1977. The couple gave no reason for their breakup. In 1968, Van married Broadway actress Elaine Joyce, and together they appeared on 1970s game shows like Tattletales and Match Game. Willis was married to actress Demi Moore from November 21, 1987 to October 18, 2000. He also did some choreography, as his father had years earlier. He first found fame with his starring role in the hit TV series Moonlighting (1985-89) before starring in the Die Hard movies.

In the 1960s, Van did comedy work with Mickey Rooney in films and television. Born at a military base in Idar-Oberstein, Germany, he was raised in Penns Grove, New Jersey and moved to New York to become an actor. In the early 1950s, while Van was married to starlet Diane Garrett, he appeared in several films and television shows, including the title role in The Affairs of Dobie Gillis (1953). However, most of Van's roles involving singing and dancing, and the era of the Hollywood musical was waning. Bruce Willis (born March 19, 1955 as Walter Bruce Willis) is an American actor. His act drew rave reviews, and gave Van a thrill out of performing live as a solo act. Willis looks similar to the actor Jerry Doyle, owning to their similar appearance and political ideologies. When his band played a venue in the Catskills, Van was asked to fill in as a song and dance man for another act. Owns The Mint Bar and The Liberty Theater in Hailey, Idaho.

Van began his career as a musician, playing trumpet. Filled in for an ill David Letterman on his show on February 26, 2003 when he was supposed to be a guest. He finally opted for Van, supposedly after seeing a Van Johnson poster hanging in his sister's bedroom. Is a supporter of the United States Republican Party. Originally, Van took King as his stage name (after his father's stage name, from the trio "Gordon, Reed and King"). Recently got a tattoo on his right shoulder (in 2003). Van was born Robert Jack Stein to vaudeville parents in The Bronx, New York City, and grew up backstage to many memorable depression-era acts. He sometimes wears four earrings in his left ear - he first got his ear pierced when he was 14.

Bobby Van (December 6, 1928–July 31, 1980) was probably best known for his musical and acting career on Broadway in the 1960s and 1970s. Die Hard (1988). Look Who's Talking (1989). Die Hard 2: Die Harder (1990). Look Who's Talking Too (1990).

The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990). Hudson Hawk (1991). The Last Boy Scout (1991). Death Becomes Her (1992).

Pulp Fiction (1994). Die Hard: With a Vengeance (1995). Twelve Monkeys (1995). The Fifth Element (1997).

The Jackal (1997). Mercury Rising (1998). Armageddon (1998). The Sixth Sense (1999).

The Whole Nine Yards (2000). Unbreakable (2000). Hart's War (2002). The Whole Ten Yards (2004).

Ocean's Twelve (2004). Hostage (2005). Sin City (2005). Die Hard 4: Die Hardest (2006).