Rosey Grier

Roosevelt "Rosey" Grier (born July 14, 1932) is an American actor, singer, Protestant minister, conservative politician and former professional American football player.

Grier in February 2008

Early life

Grier was born in Cuthbert, Georgia. He was named after President Franklin D. Roosevelt.^[1] Grier was raised in Roselle, New Jersey. He studied at Pennsylvania State University.^[2]

Football years

Grier in 1967

Grier was a notable college football player for Pennsylvania State University who earned a place in the National Collegiate Athletic Association 100th anniversary list of 100 most influential student athletes. As a professional player, Grier was a member of the New York Giants and the original Fearsome Foursome of the Los Angeles Rams. He played in the Pro Bowl twice.

Bodyguard for Robert F. Kennedy

After Grier's professional sports career, he worked as a bodyguard for Robert Kennedy during the 1968 presidential campaign and was guarding the senator's wife, Ethel Kennedy, during the Robert F. Kennedy assassination.^[3] Although unable to prevent that killing, Grier took control of the gun and subdued the shooter, Sirhan Sirhan.^[4]

Entertainment career

Grier with Don Rickles in 1968

Grier appeared in movies and television shows such as Desperate Mission (1969), Carter's Army (1970), Skyjacked (1972), The Thing with Two Heads (1972), The Treasure of Jamaica Reef (1975), The Glove (1979), Roots: The Next Generations (1979) and The Seekers (1979).

As a singer, Grier first released singles on the A label in 1960, and over the following twenty-five years he continued to record on various labels including Liberty, Ric, MGM, and A&M.^[5]

Politics

Grier was also a featured speaker at the 1984 Republican National Convention; during its evening session on August 20, 1984, he endorsed President Ronald Reagan for re-election.^[6]

2018 California gubernatorial campaign

On January 5, 2017, Grier announced his intention to run for Governor of California as a Republican in the 2018 gubernatorial election.^[7] He ended his candidacy in July 2017.^[8]

Personal life

Grier was married to Bernice Lewis until they divorced. Then he married Margie Grier in 1972. They divorced in 1978, but remarried in 1980. Margie Grier died in 2001. In 2013, he married teacher Cydnee Seyler. Grier has three children (one daughter from an early relationship, one adopted daughter from Bernice and one son with Margie).

Grier released his autobiography 'Rosey: The Gentle Giant' in 1986.^[9]