He was born on February 10, 1930, in Detroit.

Robert Wagner was born on February 10, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan. When he was still a child, his family moved to California, where his life would take a completely different direction.See more…

As a young man, Wagner found his way into the world of Hollywood. He worked as a caddy at the Bel-Air Country Club, where he had opportunities to meet some of the entertainment industry’s most recognizable figures.

In the 1950s, he began taking small roles in films. Among his early projects were Halls of Montezuma, With a Song in My Heart, and Titanic.

In 1954, he appeared in Prince Valiant, a role that helped him become increasingly recognized in Hollywood.

But major success did not come overnight. For several years, Wagner continued building his career and searching for the roles that would eventually make him a major star.

In 1963, he appeared in The Pink Panther. More important film roles followed, including The Longest Day and Harper.

Then television changed everything.

In 1968, Wagner took on the role of Alexander Mundy in the television series It Takes a Thief. His character was an elegant thief who worked for the government, and the series turned Wagner into a familiar face on American television.

He later starred in Switch, which ran from 1975 to 1978. But the role that would forever connect his name with classic television came shortly afterward.

In 1979, Wagner became Jonathan Hart in Hart to Hart, alongside Stefanie Powers. The series became a major success and ran until 1984.

For many Americans, Jonathan Hart became one of the most memorable characters of television during the late 1970s and early 1980s.

But behind his professional success was a much more complicated personal life.

Wagner first married actress Natalie Wood in 1957. They later divorced, but eventually reunited and remarried.

In 1981, tragedy changed his life forever. Natalie Wood died after drowning during a boating trip near Catalina Island. The circumstances surrounding her death have remained the subject of discussion and investigation for decades.

After Wood’s death, Wagner became the guardian of her daughter, Natasha Gregson Wagner. He helped raise her alongside his own daughters, Katie and Courtney.

In 1990, Wagner married actress Jill St. John. They have remained together for decades and continue to be one of Hollywood’s well-known classic couples.

Even after the success of Hart to Hart, Wagner never completely disappeared from the screen. A younger generation discovered him through the Austin Powers films, where he played Number Two.

The role also showed his comedic side and introduced him to a much younger audience.

Throughout his career, Wagner received five Golden Globe nominations and one Emmy nomination. His career has included films, television series, and a wide variety of roles spanning more than seven decades.

In 2026, Robert Wagner turned 96. Today, he is remembered not only for Hart to Hart and It Takes a Thief, but for a career that has stretched across some of the most important eras of Hollywood.

And perhaps that is the most fascinating part of his story: behind the elegant face millions of Americans watched on television for decades was a life filled with success, love, loss, family, and unforgettable memories. ❤️📺

Robert Wagner remains one of those faces that an entire generation of Americans can recognize instantly — even after all these decades.