Robert Tessier was an American actor and stuntman best known for playing heavy, menacing characters in films and television. Born Robert W. Tessier on June 2, 1934, in Lowell, Massachusetts, he spent his career as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable on-screen tough guys before his death on October 11, 1990.
Robert Tessier Quick Facts
| Birth name | Robert W. Tessier |
|---|---|
| Born | June 2, 1934, Lowell, Massachusetts, USA |
| Died | October 11, 1990, Lowell, Massachusetts (age 56) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, stuntman |
| Height | 6′ 1″ (1.85 m) per IMDb; 6ft 0 (182.9 cm) per CelebHeights |
| Zodiac sign | Gemini |
| Known for | Hard Times, Starcrash, The Longest Yard, Future Force |
How Tall Was Robert Tessier?
Published listings do not fully agree on Robert Tessier’s height. IMDb lists him at 6′ 1″ (1.85 m), while CelebHeights puts him at 6ft 0 (182.9 cm). Apple TV’s profile describes him as beefy and imposing at over six feet tall, with a build that suited the intimidating roles he specialized in. The gap between the listings is small, but because the sources differ, it is most accurate to present both figures with their origins rather than pick one.
How Much Did Robert Tessier Weigh?
No verified weight record appears in the sources cited here, and the fan accounts that do discuss his build offer different estimates. An Instagram tribute says Tessier weighed between 90 and 100 kg (198-200 lbs) at his peak, while a fan forum post remembers him as about 6’1″ and 230-240 pounds of muscle in his prime. Treat both numbers as fan estimates rather than documented measurements.
Biography: From Lowell to Hollywood
According to the Los Angeles Times, Tessier was born to an American Indian and French family and determined as a youth to become an actor. The paper reported that he came to Los Angeles in the 1960s to pursue that goal.
Once in Hollywood, Tessier worked as both an actor and stuntman, becoming best known for playing heavy, menacing characters in films and on television. He is best remembered for appearing in films like Hard Times, Starcrash, The Longest Yard, and Future Force. That reputation for on-screen menace matched how profiles described him: Apple TV calls him a perfect physical specimen for specializing in heavies.
Known to his friends as “Cueball”, Tessier cut a distinctive figure on screen. A fan recollection adds that his many tattoos traced his heritage.
Death
Robert Tessier died on October 11, 1990, in Lowell, Massachusetts — the same city where he was born — at the age of 56. IMDb records the cause of death as cancer, and the Los Angeles Times marked his passing with an obituary remembering him as a longtime tough guy of TV and movies.
Robert Tessier’s Net Worth
None of the biographical sources cited on this page documents a verified net worth or earnings figure for Robert Tessier, so no dollar amount can be responsibly stated. What is documented is how he made his living: years of steady work as an actor and stuntman.
Family and Personal Life
The Los Angeles Times reported that Tessier was born to an American Indian and French family in Lowell. Beyond his heritage, reliable details about his personal life — including any spouse or children — are not documented in the sources cited here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Robert Tessier’s height and weight?
IMDb lists his height as 6′ 1″ (1.85 m), while CelebHeights lists 6ft 0 (182.9 cm). Weight figures come only from fan estimates, which range from between 90 and 100 kg (198-200 lbs) to 230-240 pounds of muscle in his prime.
What nationality was Robert Tessier?
He was American, born in Lowell, Massachusetts.
How did Robert Tessier die?
He died on October 11, 1990, at the age of 56. IMDb lists the cause as cancer.
