Robert McQuain(1934-1999)
- Actor
The only child of Jay David and Lena McQuain, "Bob" grew up in the
Washington D.C. area, often visiting and spending summers at the
McQuain homestead in Elkins, West Viriginia as well. He graduated
from Fork Union Miltary Academy and later attended William and Mary
College. Mr. McQuain's big break came when he appeared playing Sir
Walter Raleigh in the famous outdoor theatre production of The Lost
Colony of Roanoke, a wonderful historical production still on-going today
in North Carolina where the historical event actually took place. This was
also the venue in which actor, Andy Griffith had got his own early start.
When Mr. Griffith returned to NC for a visit, he caught a performance and
met Mr. McQuain. This lead to a subsequent friendship, an introduction to
Andy's Agent, Mr. Richard Linc, and their circle of friends in the business,
a move to Hollywood, years of behind-the-scenes studio work experience,
several (14) small bit parts on the 1960s "The Andy Griffith Show," as well
as Gunsmoke, Perry Mason and a made for TV Disney two-part movie called
Bristol Face, all in the time-honored practice of grooming an actor for a beak
in a leading role. However, Mr. McQuain was bucking up against a rival look-
alike at the time with the sudden recent success of actor, James Garner. But,
by this time, Mr. McQuain was finding more interest working behind the camera
as manager of the Title, Optical and Special Effects Department at CFI,
Consolidated Film Labs in Hollywood where he worked for ten very innovative
years. He then made a move to use his natural likability and knowledge of the
industry as a freelance agent booking talent on television and radio talk shows
and promotion of all kinds. By 1975, times were changing, with the '72 L.A.
earthquake, the oil crisis, and Holywood changing for good from it's golden era,
Mr. McQuain pulled up roots leaving Hollywood for good and moved his family
to Oregon. He became a licensed real estate agent and soon opened up his own
brokerage office with agents and family being apart of it all. He also ran, successfully,
for local political office. Tall, with a deep, booming voice, it was hard to forget
the friendly Mr. McQuain once you met him. A devoted family man, he had a
great interest in genealogy and researched the McQuain family lineage. Still
working actively in commercial real estate and family financial planning to the end,
Mr. McQuain died unexpectedly in December 1999. He was loved by a great many.
