After a scant few supporting roles in both Tinseltown duds (Here Come the Littles, 1985) and respected Hollywood A-listers (Michael Apted's Class Action, 1991), American actor Robert David Hall connected with his broadest fan base via his multi-season portrayal of Dr. Albert Robbins, the middle-aged coroner on the television phenomenon CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. With his portly figure, balding pate, and ever-present white beard, Hall lent a distinguished aura to his evocation of Robbins, a character with the most unusual of personal and professional histories. Off-camera, Hall is a double-leg amputee who has served for long periods as the national chairperson of the Performers With Disabilities committees of SAG and AFTRA. His career includes a long tenure as the daytime music and voice director of KNX-FM, Los Angeles. In addition to his acting role on CSI and occasional movie work, Hall made occasional guest appearances on such series as L.A. Law and The Practice.
Robert David Hall
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- Started playing music in elementary school, practicing the French horn and flute (he switched to the guitar without initially telling his parents). He plays the guitar, piano and mandolin.
- Was accepted into law school, but chose not to go.
- After college, he worked as a disc jockey, copywriter and rock guitarist before turning to acting.
- Was in a serious car accident in July 1978 that resulted in burns over 65 percent of his body and the amputation of both legs. He spent six months at University of California-Irvine's Regional Burn Center and several years in physical therapy; he walks on two prosthetic limbs.
- While still working as a DJ, he began auditioning for film and TV roles, landing his first part in the 1983 Chevy Chase movie Deal of the Century.
- Was a board member on the National Organization on Disability from 2004 to 2005; is the National Chairman of the Performers with Disabilities Caucus for SAG, AFTRA and EQUITY.
- Served a term as a National Board Member of SAG.
- Volunteers with burn victims and amputees; is a member of the Mutual Amputee Foundation.
- Is on the board of Mark Taper Forum's Other Voices Project, which promotes empowerment of writers and performers with disabilities.
- Does frequent public-speaking engagements.
- Released his debut album, Things They Don't Teach You in High School, in 2010. It features Americana roots music---including his own compositions---and was recorded, appropriately, in Austin.