Trivia

Member of the Triple Nine Society, a high-IQ organization for persons whose IQ is in the 99.9th percentile.

Once worked as a door-to-door vacuum cleaner salesman.

One of his last film roles, El Camino (2019), was released on the day of his death.

Attended University of Rochester in Rochester, NY. Majored in psychology.

Father of three daughters, with June Forster, Elizabeth (born 1967) Kate Forster (born 1969) and Maeghen (born 1972).

Was considered for the role of Martini in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975).

The role of Jake Nyman in American Perfekt (1997) was written specifically for him by British director and close friend, Paul Chart. The film was officially selected for the 50th Anniversary Cannes Film Festival.

Upon his death, he was cremated and his ashes were scattered at sea.

Was of English, Irish and Italian descent.

He has appeared in one film that has been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Medium Cool (1969).

Appeared with former NFL star/actor Fred Williamson in four films: Night Vision (1997), Original Gangstas (1996), South Beach (1993), and Vigilante (1982).

Tested for a part in True Romance (1993), directed by Tony Scott, but Christopher Walken eventually got the role.

He and Pam Grier notably co-starred in Quentin Tarantino's Jackie Brown (1997), but that was actually the second time that they had appeared together in a movie. The first was Larry Cohen's Original Gangstas (1996) the previous year.

As of his death in 2019, he appeared in one film nominated for Best Picture Oscar: The Descendants (2011).

Has a son, Robert Wallace Foster III (born 1965), with an ex-girlfriend named Marlene.

His third wife (and widow), Evie, was 38 years his junior.

Has four grandchildren.

Profiled in "Character Kings: Hollywood's Familiar Faces Discuss the Art & Business of Acting" by Scott Voisin. (2009)

Played two characters who had to describe another character with multiple personalities. He played Dr. Simon in Psycho (1998) who had to diagnose Norman Bates with multiple personality, and in Me, Myself & Irene (2000) he played Col. Partington, who had to describe how Charlie had multiple personalities.