Vietnam Veteran, Robert Gunton Jr, served in the US Army from 1969-1970. He was an RTO in Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infrantry, 101st Aribornne DIvision. He was awarded the Bronze Star.

 

As a kid, he planned to be a Catholic priest and spent several years in a Paulist seminary in NJ. However, he found acting his true calling.

 

With a distinguished 30 year career, Bob Gunton has played a potpourri of memorable roles in notable productions in theatre, television and film – probably most notably known from his portrayal of the warden in ShawShank Rememption. (see full bio below)

 

Robert’s dog tag journey home began in 1993 when his dog tag made its way to the USA by a retired Police Chief and Vietnam Veteran, who was in Vietnam as logistics support coordinator for a group called Operation Smile. In the streets outside his hotel, he met villagers who had what appeared to be old, rusty American dog tags. He brought them home and later gave them to Patriot Connection Dog Tag Project (formerly POW/MIA Awareness of NJ)

 

Bob is currently in NYC filming guest episodes in the TV Series The Blacklist, and will be coming to town tomorrow, Tuesday, April 3^rd to retrieve his long lost dog tag.

 

All are welcome to attend the ceremony, being held at the American Legion Post 372, 1532 Martin Ave, Cherry Hill, NJ at 3:30pm.  

 

Dog Tag Return Ceremony

Location; American Legion Post 372, 1532 Martin Ave., Cherry Hill, NJ

Time: 3:30pm

 

---

 

On Broadway, Gunton received Tony Award nominations for his SWEENEY TODD and for his portrayal of Juan Peron in EVITA. He was also featured in BIG RIVER, ROZA, PASSION, KING OF HEARTS, WORKING, and HAPPY END. He received an Obie Award for playing 21 characters in HOW I GOT THAT STORY, as well as the Clarence Derwent Award for The Most Promising New NY Actor of 1980. In 2004, Bob was nominated for a Barrymore Award for playing the eponymous role in THE GREAT OSTROVSKY – the great Cy Coleman’s last musical, in a pre-Broadway production.

Gunton’s feature film work runs the gamut from farce to drama. Working with some of Hollywood’s most celebrated directors, Gunton has appeared in Oliver Stone’s JFK, and BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY; Ed Zwick’s GLORY; John Woo’s BROKEN ARROW; and, most memorably, as the Warden in Frank Darrabont’s THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION. Other of Bob’s dozens of film appearances include: PATCH ADAMS, ACE VENTURA: WHEN NATURE CALLS, DOLORES CLAIBORNE, COOKIE, MATEWAN, JENNIFER 8, THE PERFECT STORM, I (HEART) HUCKABEE’S, BELIEVE IN ME, RENDITION, FRACTURE, NUMB, PLAYER 5150, THE LEAST OF THESE , TENURE as well as the mystery-drama, THE LAZARUS PROJECT. 2009 film projects included THE IRISHMAN and THE TRIAL, co-starring with Mathew Modine. and, in 2010, THE LINCOLN LAWYER, starring Matthew McConnaghey. More recently, Bob appeared in ARGO and TROUBLE WITH THE CURVE.

Gunton’s many telefilms, miniseries and cable movies include: MISSION OF THE SHARK, WILD PALMS, WHEN BILLY BEAT BOBBY, RUNNING MATES, 61*, SINATRA (as Tommy Dorsey),KINGFISH (as FDR), IRON-JAWED ANGELS (as Woodrow Wilson), ELVIS MEETS NIXON(as Nixon), JUDAS AND JESUS, and the BBC docudrama, BEHIND CLOSED DOORS – again, playing FDR. Bob plays another President – Sebastian Pinera – of Chile in the soon-to-be-released movie about the heroic 2010 rescue of 33 trapped Chilean miners, in THE 33

Bob was a series regular on COURTHOUSE, , HOTHOUSE and PEACEMAKERS, and the cult comedy, GREG THE BUNNY. He has had recurring roles on MR. STERLING, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES, E-RING, NIP/TUCK, PEPPER DENNIS, and ROYAL PAINS His appearance on STAR TREK – TNG as the troubled and tragic Captain Benjamin Maxwell is considered a classic by many “trekkies.” In 2010, Bob completed his third season in the role of ETHAN KANIN on the hit series 24. Most recently, Bob created the role of Leland Owlsley for the NETFLIX production of MARVEL’S DAREDEVIL

Bob has written articles for The Los Angeles Times Calendar and THEATER magazine. He has written a screenplay and a one-hour drama pilot. His musical memoir, WALKING ON WATER, was recently produced by the Cumberland County Playhouse. He is currently completing an unconventional memoir of his 50 years in theater, film and television.

In 2011, Bob was honored by Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana California, when he was inducted into his alma mater’s Ring of Honor. From time to time, he has been invited by schools and colleges – including the UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts — to address drama students about preparing for a life in Theater and Film

In 1971, Bob Gunton was awarded a Bronze Star for Valor for his combat service in Vietnam. He is father to recent Yale Graduate, Olivia Ann. Bob is married to the former Carey Ann Gelrud, is his high school classmate from 40 years ago.