Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 17, 2026

Robert Gerringer

Robert Gerringer was an American character actor perhaps best known as Dr. Dave Woodard in 29 episodes of the soap opera Dark Shadows, a role that he played from May 1967 to September 1967. In early October 1967, Gerringer refused to cross a NABET picket line during a technicians' strike, a strike that his own union AFTRA was in solidarity with. Gerringer was replaced by actor Peter Turgeon for seven episodes and the character was then killed off.

Last revised
Jul 17, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
310 w
Citations
1
Source
Robert Gerringer
Born
Robert Geiringer

(1926-05-12)May 12, 1926
DiedNovember 8, 1989(1989-11-08) (aged 63)
OccupationActor

Robert Gerringer (born Robert Geiringer; May 12, 1926 – November 8, 1989) was an American character actor perhaps best known as Dr. Dave Woodard in 29 episodes of the soap opera Dark Shadows, a role that he played from May 1967 to September 1967. In early October 1967, Gerringer refused to cross a NABET picket line during a technicians' strike, a strike that his own union AFTRA was in solidarity with. Gerringer was replaced by actor Peter Turgeon for seven episodes and the character was then killed off.

Gerringer was born in New York City, the son of Mary Agnes (née Moran), a teacher, and Arthur Joseph Geiringer, a surgeon.1 He appeared in the film The Exorcist (1973)and The Way We Were as well as in soap operas including The Guiding Light, Texas, in which he played Houston attorney Striker Bellman; The Doctors where he played Detective Cadman in 1970 and The Edge of Night until that show's 1984 cancellation. In 1989, Gerringer died from a stroke at age 63 in Damariscotta, Maine.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1964 Black Like Me Ed Saunders
1968 A Lovely Way to Die Connor
1971 The Gang That Couldn't Shoot Straight Commissioner McGrady
1973 The Way We Were Dr. Short
1973 The Exorcist Senator at Party
1975 I'll Quit Tomorrow Phil
1977 The Sentinel Hart
1978 King of the Gypsies Uncredited
1980 Hide in Plain Sight Judge Duval
1988 The Beat Dr. Morningstone (final film role)
References

References

External links