Trivia

As a child, his mother introduced him to movie stars like Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy so they could act as surrogate big brother figures to him. They often took him hunting and fishing.

Served as a gunnery officer in the United States Navy for more than three years during World War II.

He met the real-life Mrs. Eliot Ness when his biography was presented on This Is Your Life (1950) in 1960. He was clearly touched at her praise of his portrayal of her late husband.

World War II veteran who was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Expert Rifle Ribbon and Expert Pistol Ribbon.

Initially thought the television series The Untouchables (1959) would not work and only took this just to prove his point. Instead, the series became a success, and lasted four years.

In 1937, aged 18, he was the United States 20-gauge champion skeet marksman, and held the record for more than 350 consecutive hits.

Although he had nothing against comedy (he appeared in several comedies), Stack declared he would not take part in any satire or parody of Eliot Ness, the iconic character with whom he was most associated. However, Stack's voice role in Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996) came close.

Was friends with Ronald Reagan, and made monetary contributions to Reagan's presidential campaigns.

His maternal grandfather Modini was not really of Italian descent but had changed his surname to further his career as an opera singer.

Inducted into the National Skeet Shooting Association Hall of Fame (1971).

Was an expert in the art of Skeet Shooting.

Received the John F. Kennedy National Award (1999).

Had been diagnosed with prostate cancer the year before his death.

In an interview with Conan O'Brien on Anne Heche/Robert Stack/Ed Byrne (1998), he stated his salary for Beavis and Butt-Head Do America (1996) was $500.00, but that it cost him $550.00 to retain a lawyer to ensure his name was not listed in the credits.

Portrayed General Joseph W. Stilwell in 1941 (1979), John Paul Jones in John Paul Jones (1959), and Eliot Ness on The Untouchables (1959), three real-life figures from American history.

His ancestors were among the first to settle in California.

He was awarded a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 7001 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, California on February 8, 1960.

Inducted into the California Skeet Shooting Association Hall of Fame (1981) (inaugural class).

In October 1940, he escorted Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer actress Laraine Day to her 20th birthday party at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.

Before he was cast as Eliot Ness on The Untouchables (1959), Van Johnson and Van Heflin were considered for the role.

Following his death, he was interred at Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery in Los Angeles, California.

He was awarded a Golden Palm Star on the Palm Springs Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California on December 6, 1996.

He played Lieutenant Andrei Sobinski in To Be or Not to Be (1942) while his 1941 (1979) co-star, Tim Matheson, played him in the remake of To Be or Not to Be (1983).

Son of James Langford Stack and Betzi Stack. Father of Charles Stack and actress Elizabeth Stack. Ex-brother-in-law of Wanda Hendrix. Great-uncle of Taran Killam.

Won many trophies for his skeet shooting,.

Biography in: "The Scribner Encyclopedia of American Lives". Volume 7, 2003-2005, pages 524-526. Farmington Hills, MI: Thomson Gale, 2007.

Never appeared in a film nominated for the Best Picture Oscar.

By late December 1955, it was announced that Stack was to star in The Proud Ones (1956) but eventually the role was played by Robert Ryan.

He has appeared in two films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: To Be or Not to Be (1942) and Airplane! (1980).