Robert Blanche obit

Robert Clinton Blanche
March 30, 1962 - January 3, 2020

 

 He was not on the list.

Robert Clinton Blanche, 57, of West Linn, Oregon, moved into his next phase of existence surrounded by his closest loved ones on January 3, 2020 at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle, Washington.

The youngest of five children, Robert was born to Mary Edith Blanche (Heavner) and Richard Keith Blanche on March 30, 1962 in Pomona, California, but spent most of his life in Oregon.

A lifelong artist and dedicated union activist, he is cherished by many he impacted with his fervent will to improve the lives of others. His energy, humor, brilliance, and magnetic, ever-positive personality will never be forgotten by those with whom he crossed paths.

Working in both Portland and Los Angeles, Robert was a prolific actor with nearly 100 credits, and will be remembered most from his recurring roles in the shows Grimm and Leverage. He brought his heart to every role he portrayed and was universally beloved by his cast and crewmates on so many sets. When he was not acting, he also spent time sharing his art and philosophy with other actors through his classes and coaching sessions.

Robert also dedicated many years of service to his acting union fighting to improve the lives of all his peers. He joined SAG (Screen Actors Guild) in 1995 and served as Portland SAG Branch President for many years pre-merger and Portland SAG-AFTRA Local President from 2017-2019. In addition to his work locally, he served as Vice Chair of the National SAGindie Committee from 2007 to 2008, and since 1996, he served as member or alternate of the TV/Theatrical, Low Budget and Agency committees.

Prior to and during his acting career, he also fronted the Portland-based band "Boys Next Door" as singer and guitarist, performing original songs and covers for hundreds of shows and events in the Portland area. Engaging his audiences and making people smile during his high-energy shows was just as important to him as expressing his creativity through music.

Most of all, Robert's heart was dedicated to his family. He is survived by his wife Christine Blanche and his five daughters whose ages span nearly three decades: Hayley (Ike) McGinnis, Emily (Ronnie) Manley, Carly (Tyler) Snow, Audrey Blanche and Miette Blanche. He was also blessed and elated to become a grandfather to Scarlett Snow, Walter McGinnis and Ro Manley. Robert is also survived by siblings Richard Blanche, Susan (Rex) Blanche-Kappler, and Rose (Geoff) Parks as well as numerous nieces, nephews and beloved extended family. He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Lorraine May and cousin Beverly Hillman.

Robert fought valiantly against the rare, progressive fibrotic lung disease Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis prior to undergoing a double lung transplant in the summer of 2018. Though the transplant was a final attempt to fight his terminal illness, the aftermath of his surgery was fraught with many serious complications. With superhuman grit and tenacity, he rallied through many close calls until it was time for him to move past his physical body. Through his medical journey, he and his family were blessed to forge many new connections and inspire others in the lung transplant community.

Filmography

Film

 

    Actor (88 credits)

  You Can't Win (post-production)

Cy

 2020 The Brain That Wouldn't Die

Detective Mancini

 2019 American Brothers

Liam Mahoney

 2013-2018 Portlandia (TV Series)

- You Do You (2018)

- Nina's Birthday (2013)

 2017 Number One (TV Series)

Gino

- Episode #1.1 (2017) ... Gino

 2017 Tomorrow, Maybe

Lloyd Hayek

 2017 The Two Dogs

Billy Bastard

 2012-2017 Grimm (TV Series)

Sgt. Franco / Franco / Officer Franco

- The End (2017) ... Sgt. Franco

- Zerstörer Shrugged (2017) ... Sgt. Franco

- Oh Captain, My Captain (2017) ... Sgt. Franco

- Trust Me Knot (2017) ... Sgt. Franco

- Fugitive (2017) ... Sgt. Franco

Show all 34 episodes

 2017 Blood and Sugar (Short)

Tim Ballantyne

 2016 Z Nation (TV Series)

John J. Lannister

- Election Day (2016) ... John J. Lannister

 2016 Undeserved

Woody

 2016 The Reins Maker (rumored)

 2015 Charlie's Supersonic Glider (Short)

Nick

 2015 Runestone: Sizzle Reel (TV Series)

Styrkarr Naeskunungr

- Sizzle Reel: Beyond the Edges of the World (2015) ... Styrkarr Naeskunungr

 2015 Stormageddon (TV Movie)

Agent Gates

 2015 The A-List

Mr. Bruner

 2015 Battlefield: Hardline (Video Game)

Additional Voices (voice)

 2015 Rizzoli & Isles (TV Series)

Dana Slowey

- In Plain View (2015) ... Dana Slowey

 2014 Grimm: Meltdown (TV Mini Series short)

Sgt. Franco

- Dance with the Dammerzustand (2014) ... Sgt. Franco

- Tight Squeeze (2014) ... Sgt. Franco

- On Hands and Knees (2014) ... Sgt. Franco

- Deep Freeze (2014) ... Sgt. Franco

 2014 Bermuda Tentacles (TV Movie)

Captain Dave Williams

 2014 Something Wicked

John

 2014 Perception (TV Series)

Dan Bukowski

- Curveball (2014) ... Dan Bukowski

 2014/I Bullet

Tarvis

 2013 Untitled Bounty Hunter Project (TV Movie)

Papa Bear

 2013 Foreclosed (Video)

Deputy Dolan

 2012/I Hope

Mark Zeimer

 2012/I Gone

Officer Johnson (uncredited)

 2011 American Disciples

Liam Mahony

 2011 Wake Before I Die

Thomas Schmidt

 2009-2011 Leverage (TV Series)

Detective Captain Bonanno / Lt. Patrick Bonanno

- The Boys' Night Out Job (2011) ... Detective Captain Bonanno

- The Big Bang Job (2010) ... Detective Captain Bonanno

- The Jailhouse Job (2010) ... Detective Captain Bonanno

- The Three Strikes Job (2010) ... Lt. Patrick Bonanno

- The Ice Man Job (2009) ... Lt. Patrick Bonanno

2011 Zombie Apocalypse (TV Movie)

Brockton

 2011 Bucksville

Lt. Col. Frank Gartner

 2010 Nick Bradley Might Be an Alcoholic (TV Movie)

Jerry

 2010 A Walk in My Shoes (TV Movie)

Alex

 2010 Forge

Mr. Boyes

 2010 Extraordinary Measures

Armed Guard

 2009 Crash (TV Series)

Tommy Vanderbeck

- Can't Explain (2009) ... Tommy Vanderbeck

 2009 The Perfect Game

Bridgeport Coach (uncredited)

 2009 The Hitmen Diaries: Charlie Valentine

Wiseass

 2009 Without a Paddle: Nature's Calling (Video)

Massey

 2008 Adam (Short)

Mr. McGuire

 2008 The Astonished Man

 2008 Come Hell or Highwater

Griff

 2008 The Lutheran (Short)

Billy Bob Herring

 2007 Without a Trace (TV Series)

Det. Lou Chambers

- Baggage (2007) ... Det. Lou Chambers

 2007 Ghost Whisperer (TV Series)

Ray Billings

- The Underneath (2007) ... Ray Billings

 2006 Raising Flagg

Matt Durwood

 2006 World Trade Center

WTC Desk Officer

 2006 Monk (TV Series)

Union Vice President

- Mr. Monk and the Garbage Strike (2006) ... Union Vice President

 2006 Punk Love

Dick

 2006 What the Bleep!?: Down the Rabbit Hole (Documentary)

Bob

 2006 ER (TV Series)

Detective Milne

- If Not Now (2006) ... Detective Milne

 2005 NCIS (TV Series)

Brett Willis

- Silver War (2005) ... Brett Willis

 2005 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (TV Series)

Detective Jones

- Gun Fever (2005) ... Detective Jones

 2005 Say Uncle

Phil

 2005 Good Teeth

Broker

 2005 The Heater

Dr. Ted Berger

 2005 Medium (TV Series)

Robert Pulaski

- In Sickness and Adultery (2005) ... Robert Pulaski

 2005 Thumbsucker

'The Line' - Partner

 2004 Coming Up Easy

Step Father

 2004 The Dust Factory

Ryan Flynn Sr.

 2004 Loser's Lounge

Kirby

 2004 What the #$*! Do We (K)now!? (Documentary)

Bob

 2004 Two Fisted

Vincent

 2004 Shooting Nick

Nick

 2004 Dandelion

Sheriff Teft

 2003 The Skin Horse

Bob Ano

 2003/I The Job

Nightclub Guy

 2003 Blind Mice (Short)

Kyle

 2003 The Entry (Short)

Man in Yellow Shirt

 2003 The Hunted

Crumley (uncredited)

 2002 Murderous Camouflage

Gimp

 2002 Twelve City Blocks

Billy

 2002 Rose Red (TV Mini Series)

Mr. George Wheaton

- Episode #1.2 (2002) ... Mr. George Wheaton

- Episode #1.1 (2002) ... Mr. George Wheaton

 2001 Resurrection Blvd. (TV Series)

Officer Hicks

- La agonia y el extasis (2001) ... Officer Hicks

 2001 Boston Public (TV Series)

Officer

- Chapter Fifteen (2001) ... Officer

 2000 Men of Honor

Shore Patrolman

 1999 Switched at Birth (TV Movie)

Dr. Nerenberg

 1999 Where the Truth Lies (TV Movie)

Stu Varga

 1999 Take My Advice: The Ann and Abby Story (TV Movie)

Rory Lipson

 1998 Inconceivable

Fred

 1998 Ally McBeal (TV Series)

Officer

- Happy Trails (1998) ... Officer

 1998 Significant Others (TV Mini Series)

Crew Member

- The Shoot ... Crew Member

 1998 Zero Effect

Paramedic #1

 1997 Total Reality

Policeman

 1995-1996 Nowhere Man (TV Series)

Security Guard / Chauffeur

- Calaway (1996) ... Security Guard

- The Spider Webb (1995) ... Chauffeur

 1995 Dead by Sunset (TV Mini Series)

Bailiff

- Episode #1.2 (1995) ... Bailiff

 1994 Imaginary Crimes

Policeman #1 (uncredited)

 

Writer (6 credits)

 2021 Jason Rising: A Friday the 13th Fan Film (co-creator)

 2017 Tomorrow, Maybe (additional material)

 2017 Blood and Sugar (Short)

 2015 Bound to Happen (Short) (head writer)

 2004 Shooting Nick

 2003 The Entry (Short) (screenplay)

 

Director (2 credits)

 2017 Blood and Sugar (Short)

 2003 The Entry (Short)