American actor and producer known for starring in the 1980s TV series "The Paper Chase" and directing several action films, including "Predator 2".
Known for his rugged, macho charm and tough-guy persona, Robert Ginty was an American actor, producer, screenwriter, and director who dominated the action film scene in the 1980s. With his breakout role in James Glickenhaus's vigilante film The Exterminator, Ginty became a household name, synonymous with high-octane action and thrilling suspense.
Born on November 14, 1948, in Brooklyn, New York, Ginty was the son of Elsie M. O'Hara, a government worker, and Michael Joseph Ginty, a construction worker. His early life was steeped in music, playing drums with legendary artists like Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Carlos Santana, and John Lee Hooker. Ginty's passion for the arts led him to study acting at Yale University, where he honed his craft under the tutelage of renowned instructors.
Ginty's early career saw him working in theatre, with notable performances in regional productions and on Broadway. His breakthrough came in 1973, when Harold Prince hired him as his assistant after seeing him perform in The New Hampshire Shakespeare Festival Summerstock Company. This led to a string of supporting roles on television and film, including a recurring role on the series The Paper Chase and appearances in two Hal Ashby films, Bound for Glory (1976) and Coming Home (1978).
Ginty's gritty, tough-guy persona made him a natural fit for action films. With The Exterminator in 1980, he became an overnight sensation, and his subsequent films solidified his status as an action hero. Notable titles from this period include The Act (1982), White Fire (1985), Mission Kill (1986), Programmed to Kill (1987), and Out On Bail (1989).
In addition to acting, Ginty also ventured into directing, making his debut with The Bounty Hunter in 1989, which he also starred in. He went on to direct several episodes of popular television shows, including China Beach (1988), Xena: Warrior Princess (1995), Nash Bridges (1996), and Charmed (1998).
In the last decade of his life, Ginty shifted his focus to theatre direction, becoming an artist-in-residence at Harvard University. He continued to work in the entertainment industry until his passing on September 21, 2009. Ginty's legacy as an action hero and versatile artist continues to inspire new generations of actors and filmmakers.
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