As heartthrob "Mr. Boynton" on "Our Miss Brooks", Robert Rockwell was
so identified with the role that other, dramatic roles were often
denied him. Still, after beginning his career as a contract player for
Republic Studios he appeared in over 350 television shows over fifty
years, and on stage opposite Jose Ferrer in the 1946 Broadway
production of "Cyrano de Bergerac", and with Ginger Rogers during the
1960s in a San Diego production of "A More Perfect Union".
He was the first actor ever to play Jor-El, the father of DC Comics hero Superman. The role would later be played by Marlon Brando and Russell Crowe.
Appeared in more than 200 commercials and voiceovers, most notably as
the grandfather treating his grandson to a piece of candy in the
Werthers Original Candy" spot.
He took his most identifiable role of the handsomely awkward biology
teacher Philip Boynton from "Our Miss Brooks" from radio to TV.
Played Loretta Young's husband a few times on her anthology program
"The Loretta Young Show" in the 60s.
He replaced Jeff Chandler in the role of Mr. Phillip Boynton in the OUR MISS BROOKS radio series; a part which he continued on the television version of that Eve Arden sitcom.