When I was growing up, Robert was the star of a short-lived WWII show called Black Sheep Squadron. It was loosely based upon the memoirs of Pappy Boyington, a fighter pilot in command of a Marine base. He was also pretty cranky as NBC’s team captain on Battle of the Network Stars. Afterwards, he did a string of commercials for Everyready Batteries and they always closed with one on his shoulder as he asked you to knock it off. This tough stance required my parents to explain: it was a dare in the Fifties, similar to people in the Enlightenment smacking a glove across your face.
Then in the Eighties, WGN started airing Wild Wild West reruns. This was Robert’s real stardom circa the Sixties. I appreciate it more as an adult because I learned more about its context. West was a cool mash-up of Westerns (these remained a TV staple) and the very popular Spy genre sweeping America (James Bond, The Man from UNCLE). In addition, there was a very strong Jules Verne feel to gadgetry. Today we call it Steampunk.
Thanks for everything Robert! I will have to see if any of the streaming services are carrying your hit show.