Janos Prohaska was Hollywood's go-to guy for apes and monsters on television shows and in films. Born in Hungary, he immigrated to America, but his thick accent kept him from getting speaking roles, so he began to specialize in playing gorillas and space monsters. He appeared several times on the original Star Trek and Lost In Space, Bewitched, The Outer Limits, Land of the Giants, and many others. He designed and built the Horta costume he wore in "The Devil in the Dark" episode of Star Trek TOS. He also appeared in Escape From the Planet of the Apes. His son, Robert (Bobby), played several roles in Battle For the Planet of the Apes, as well as doing stunts in The Poseidon Adventure. Both father and son were working on a new TV series called Primal Man in 1974 when the plane they were on crashed into a mountainside, killing everyone aboard. Janos was 54, and Bobby was only 27. Few pictures exist of either Prohaska out of costume and makeup, but the one shirtless shot of Bobby I could find shows him to be prime Datalounge material. Given the productions they worked on and their tragic death together, their story is ripe for a film or mini-series.
[quote]Both father and son were working on a new TV series called Primal Man in 1974 when the plane they were on crashed into a mountainside, killing everyone aboard.
Could its machinery had been tampered with by some up-and-comer who wanted Prohaska's gorilla roles??
| by Anonymous | reply 2 | July 6, 2025 4:49 AM |