Although he entered films in 1939, Robert Sterling seems, to us, the perfect Atomic Era leading man: handsomeness veering just left of bland; solid, upstanding, square of jaw, broad of shoulder, at home in gray flannel. In other words, exactly the kind of attractive cypher through whom we can live all sorts of twisted little pulp paperback-esque 1950's fantasies. "Family Man By Day, He Succumbed To The Twilight World Of The Third Sex At Night!"
Our prurient minds aside, the charming and likable Mr. Sterling appeared opposite no less than Greta Garbo onscreen (in her final film, 1941's Two Faced Woman); married the delicious Ann Sothern; and, after their divorce, married the statuesque Anne Jeffreys (center photo), with whom he co-starred in the popular sitcom retread of Topper (1953-1956). Sterling had the unenviable task of following in Cary Grant's polished footsteps; Robert Sterling may not have been another Cary Grant, but he's one of many Men in Gray Flannel Suits whom we admire, and we'd like to commemorate him here.
As a sidenote, and in complete contrast to our wicked little daydream, Mr. Sterling and Ms. Jeffreys defied the Hollywood odds, and remained married (to each other!) from 1951 until Mr. Sterling's death in 2006. As much as we like sordid fantasies, we also enjoy a real life happy ending.
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