Robert Dornan Biography: Height, Ethnicity, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Movies, Wife, Political Party, Children

Robert Kenneth Dornan is an American actor, radio talk show host, combat veteran, and Republican politician from California.

He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 1983 and again from 1985 to 1997, representing California’s 27th, 38th, and 46th congressional districts.

Before his political career, Dornan gained recognition as an actor in TV series such as No One High, Bewitched, and I Dream of Jeannie, and in films like The Starfighters (1964).

A former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and combat journalist during the Vietnam War, Dornan was known in Congress for his conservative views and often controversial, outspoken approach.

Profile

• Full Name: Robert Kenneth Dornan
• Stage Name: Robert Dornan
• Born: April 3, 1933
• Age: 92 years old
• Birthplace: New York, New York, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: American actor, radio talk show host, combat veteran, and Republican politician
• Height: 1.83m
• Parent: Gertrude (McFadden) Dornan and Harry Joseph Dornan
• Siblings: 6
• Spouse: Sallie Hansen (m. 1955)
• Children: Kate Dornan, Mark Dornan, Bobby Dornan, Jr., Terri Cobban
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: Unknown

Early Life And Education

Robert Kenneth Dornan was born on April 3, 1933, in New York City, New York, to Gertrude (McFadden) Dornan, a vaudeville performer and Ziegfeld Follies showgirl, and Harry Joseph Dornan, who owned a haberdashery in New York before becoming a real estate entrepreneur in West Los Angeles.

He had six siblings, including brothers James and Samuel Dornan. Dornan attended Loyola University of Los Angeles (now Loyola Marymount University) from 1950 to 1953, having completed his high school education in Los Angeles after spending his early years in Manhattan. He is of Irish descent and follows the Roman Catholic faith.

Career

Robert Dornan began his career in entertainment before transitioning into politics. He appeared in numerous television shows and films during the 1960s, including significant roles in The Starfighters (1964), Noon High (1965–1967), and Hell on Wheels (1967). His acting showcased his dramatic flair, later influencing his bold political persona.

Simultaneously, Dornan served as a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force from 1953 to 1958 and remained in the Air Force Reserve until 1975, achieving the rank of captain. His military experience, including surviving two emergency parachute ejections and a forced landing, profoundly shaped his defense-oriented political views.

Dornan entered politics in 1976, winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. He represented California’s 27th District from 1977 to 1983. Known for his conservative and combative approach, Dornan quickly gained national attention.

Although his seat became less favorable after redistricting, he successfully ran for the 38th District in 1984, defeating a long-standing Democratic incumbent. Dornan continued to represent the 38th and later the 46th District until 1997, securing re-election multiple times.

Throughout his tenure, he was an outspoken advocate for defense programs such as the B-1 and B-2 bombers and the Strategic Defense Initiative. His controversial style included heated confrontations on the House floor and outspoken actions that often polarized public opinion.

Beyond his congressional work, Dornan was also known for his civil rights activism in the 1960s, marching with Martin Luther King Jr. and registering voters in the South. He originated the POW/MIA bracelet, a symbol worn by millions during the Vietnam War, and worked as a correspondent in conflict zones like Vietnam and Biafra.

After leaving Congress, Dornan continued his public presence by hosting radio and television talk shows and unsuccessfully seeking the Republican presidential nomination in 1996. His political career, marked by a staunch advocacy for conservative causes and national defense, impacted American politics.

Social Media

• Instagram handle: @sass_safety

Personal Life

Robert Kenneth Dornan has been married to Sallie Hansen since April 16, 1955, and they have five children. Their son, Mark Dornan, has pursued a political career, running for Congress in California’s 48th District. The Dornan family also includes a daughter, Kate, whose son, Jose, is the child of actor Miguel Ferrer.

Filmography

Movies

• The Starfighters (1964)
• Hell on Wheels (1967)
• To the Shores of Hell (1966)
• Harlow (1965)
• A Gathering of Eagles (1963)
• X-15 (1961)
• The Great Impostor (1960)

Television

• Noon High (1965–1967)
• Ironside (1971)
• The Rat Patrol (1968)
• The Fugitive (1966)
• I Dream of Jeannie (1965)
• Bewitched (1965)
• Dennis the Menace (1962)
• Have Gun – Will Travel (1962)
• Men Into Space (1960)

Net Worth

Robert Kenneth Dornan’s net worth is not publicly disclosed, and he once claimed to have “zero” assets. His income primarily came from his congressional salary of approximately $133,600, earnings from his earlier acting career, and later from hosting a nationally syndicated radio talk show.