Robert E. Pearson

Robert E. Pearson is a movie director, writer, a painter. He was involved in over 100 films. [ [http://www.lawrence.com/news/2004/feb/15/kansas_artist/ Kansas artist remains prolific despite handicaps | lawrence.com ] ]

Early life

When Pearson was twelve years old, he left his hometown of Concordia, Kansas on a three-year trek to California to get into show business. He had reportedly decided to make this trip himself after witnessing a band concert at Concordia High School when he was ten years old. [ [http://www.lawrence.com/news/2004/feb/15/kansas_artist/ Kansas artist remains prolific despite handicaps | lawrence.com ] ]

Movie career

In 1950, Pearson got his first big break when he met Norman Rice who was hosting the weekly CBS radio show, "This Is Our America". He was hired to play seven characters on the show. His work there led to minor roles in other movies. Pearson also served as official videographer for stars receiving the Golden Palm Awards, including Mickey Rooney, James Earl Jones and Robert Stack. [ [http://www.lawrence.com/news/2004/feb/15/kansas_artist/?print Kansas artist remains prolific despite handicaps | LJWorld.com ] ]

While in Hollywood, Peasron directed two films: "The Devil and LeRoy Bassett" [ [http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0669371/ Robert E. Pearson ] ] and "Hawaiian Split". The movie, "The Devil and LeRoy Bassett" starring Don Epperson premiered at the Brown Grand Theatre in Concordia, Kansas where Robert previously had lived. This was the last movie to be shown at the theatre before its restoration. [http://www.browngrand.org/history.htm History of the Brown Grand Opera House]

Paintings

Throughout his film and television career, Pearson wrote poetry and created art in his spare time. He now lives in Clay Center, Kansas and paints oils and acrylics nearly every day and regularly exhibits his work in regional galleries. [ [http://www.lawrence.com/news/2004/feb/15/kansas_artist/ Kansas artist remains prolific despite handicaps | lawrence.com ] ]

Pearson has had Parkinson's disease for nearly a decade, is blind in his right eye and legally blind in his left eye--plus he has been color-blind his entire life. This makes his ability to create paintings even more extraordinary. [ [http://www.lawrence.com/news/2004/feb/15/kansas_artist/ Kansas artist remains prolific despite handicaps | lawrence.com ] ]

Current life

As of 2004, a family member's obituary reported he still living in Clay Center, Kansas. [ [http://www.bladeempire.com/web/isite.dll?1079643059406 Blade - Empire Obituaries ] ]

References