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Robert Hinkle, the former actor and dialogue coach who helped Hollywood stars such as Rock Hudson and Paul Newman speak with a Texas accent, passed away at the age of 95 in Austin, Texas. His daughter, Melody Hinkle, told The Hollywood Reporter that her father died on March 3 after sustaining head, back, and neck injuries from a fall at the entrance of his home five days earlier.
Hinkle began his career as a rodeo rider in Texas before moving to Hollywood, where he worked as an actor and stunt performer in notable films such as Giant and Hud. He also wrote, directed, and produced his own western film titled Ole Rex in 1961.
He was well known for his role as a dialogue coach, training Rock Hudson to speak with a Texas accent in the film Giant. He also worked with James Dean, Elizabeth Taylor, Mercedes McCambridge, Carol Baker, and Dennis Hopper. In his 2009 book, Call Me Lucky: A Texan in Hollywood, Hinkle described the Texas accent as a way of pronouncing words as if they were old friends worth spending time with.
Hinkle also assisted Paul Newman, Patricia Neal, and Melvyn Douglas in the 1963 film Hud, and contributed to directing a famous scene in the movie. Beyond his artistic work, he served as the personal manager for actor Chill Wills and singer Marty Robbins, and promoted adventurer Evel Knievel.
Born on July 25, 1930, in Brownfield, Texas, Hinkle was the eldest of three children. He served in the U.S. Air Force and participated in the Berlin Airlift. He began working in Hollywood after meeting director Budd Boetticher during the filming of Bronco Buster in 1952.
Hinkle appeared in numerous films and television series such as The Far Horizons, The Conqueror, and The First Texan, and guest-starred in shows like Gunsmoke and Walker, Texas Ranger. He also produced and directed several short films and country music specials.
He married Sander, a rodeo queen, in June 1952, and their marriage lasted 73 years until her passing last July. Hinkle is survived by his son Brad, daughter Melody, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. His ashes will be buried on June 6 in his hometown of Brownfield.
This article has been re-edited based on a report published by hollywoodreporter.com, maintaining the essential facts from the original source.
