After serving as an Air Force intelligence officer during World War II, Robert Preston Meservey (1918-1987) became an actor, whereupon the studio forced a name change upon him. While he made numerous films in his 30s, he did not attain fame until his turn on Broadway, when he originated the role of Harold Hill in The Music Man. He won an Tony Award for the role, and another one five years later for his role in I Do! I Do! He received another burst of fame late in life, getting an Oscar nomination for his supporting role in the musical Victor/Victoria.
