Spenser: For Hire Star Robert Urich Dies

Posted Tuesday, April 16, 2002 at 7:52 AM Central

by Heather Koehler

Actor Robert Urich, most known for his tough guy characters, passed away on Tuesday. The 55-year-old star died of cancer.

Robert made his cancer public in 1996. He was suffering from synovial cell sarcoma, a rare cancer that attacks the body's joints.

His roles in television shows like 'Vega$,' 'Spenser: For Hire,' and more recently 'Emeril,' made his face a popular smile to fans.

Before he died, Robert and his wife Heather created a research fund for sarcoma, the Heather and Robert Urich Fund for Sarcoma Research.

He is survived by wife Heather and three children.