Robert Newman
Springfield Presence
Joshua Lewis (October 1981 to 1984, October 1986 to 1991; August 1993 to Present)
At a Glance
Robert attended Birmingham High School in California, then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in theater from California State University at Northridge. His theatrical training began at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, and he has also studied with the Strasberg Institute and with Tom Troup, Malcolm MacDowell, and Charles Nelson Reilly.
Robert has worked extensively in the Los Angeles theater, playing leading roles in the musicals The Robber Bridegroom, Guys and Dolls, and Bye Bye Birdie, as well as roles in such diverse plays as Veronica's Room, Titus Andronicus, The Owl and the Pussycat, Medea, and The Rainmaker.
His performance in Veronica's Room earned him a 1980 Best Supporting Actor award from the Santa Monica Theater Guild. In July 1983, he played El Gallo in The Fantasticks in Sullivan, Illinois. He was seen off-Broadway at the Orpheum in Quiet on the Set and in Betty the Yeti at Stamford Theatreworks in Stamford, Connecticut.
Most recently, he and his wife, actress Britt Helfer, performed opposite each other in a production of Sylvia, which he directed at the Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan. His extensive work at the Barn Theatre has included a full season in 1981, as well as co-starring with his wife in Inge's Picnic in 1986 and Barefoot in the Park in 1989. In 1991, Robert performed there in Bernard Slade's Romantic Cowboy.
Robert originated the role of Josh on Guiding Light in October 1981, left the series in mid-1983, then returned to the role in October 1986. In the interim, he was seen in short-term roles on General Hospital and Santa Barbara, and was featured in the pilot Destination America for Stephen Cannell Productions. Robert returned to the show for a third time in August 1993 after starring in the ABC Civil War epic, Class of '61, for Steven Spielberg's Amblin Productions.
Robert and his wife were married in September 1986, and they have a son, Connor Helfer and a daughter, Kendal. The brown-haired, blue-eyed actor enjoys golf, snow skiing, and playing tennis. He was born in Los Angeles, California, the youngest of seven children. His birthday is June 27.
Acting Portfolio
TELEVISION
Class of '61
Captain Wykoff
1993
Santa Barbara
Kirk Cranston (#2)
1986
General Hospital
Prescott Harrell
1985
Guiding Light
Joshua Lewis
October 1981 to 1983, October 1986 to 1991, August 1993 to Present
Acting Portfolio
FILM
Creep
1995
Acting Portfolio
THEATRE
The Robber Bridegroom, Guys and Dolls, Bye Bye Birdie, Veronica's
Room, Titus Andronicus, The Owl and the Pussycat, Medea and
The Rainmaker at the Los Angeles Theater.
Awards & Acclaim
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor (2002, 2006)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor (2004, 2006, 2008)
Santa Monica Theater Guild Winner, Best Supporting Actor (1980; for Veronica's Room)
Vital Statistics
PLACE OF BIRTH: Los Angeles, California
DATE OF BIRTH: June 27th, 1958
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Blue
MARITAL STATUS: Married, Britt Helfer [Sep 27th]
CHILDREN: Son, Connner and Daughter, Kendal
Miscellaneous
Hobbies: Golf, snow skiing and playing tennis
Schooling: Attended Birmingham High School in California
Degrees: Has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theater from California State University at Northridge
Family Ties: Is the youngest of seven children
