Robert A. Trebor

Character actor Robert Trebor, best known as Salmoneus the salesman in two TV series, Hercules and Xena, has died. He was 71. His health had been challenged by side effects from a stem-cell transplant for leukemia several years ago.

A native of Philadelphia, Mr. Trebor graduated from Northwestern University and started his 45-year career in NYC at Ensemble Studio Theatre (among others) where he appeared in several of Shel Silverstein's plays. His breakout role was in 1985 as the Son of Sam in the TV movie Out of the Darkness opposite Martin Sheen. This led to films 52 Pickup opposite Roy Scheider, Making Mr. Right with John Malkovich, Talk Radio with Eric Bogosian, and others.

His character Salmoneus in the 1990s TV series Hercules: The legendary Journeys and Xena: Warrior Princess (both shot in New Zealand) was so popular that he became an Action Figure and appeared at fan conventions (Cons) in the U.S., England and Europe. He donated his earnings to the International Rescue Committee (IRC) to aid refugees. Mr. Trebor also directed the episode Hercules: A Rock and A Hard Place.

His last film was the Coen Brothers' 2016 satire of 1940s moviemaking, Hail Caesar. He also guest-starred in many TV MOWs and episodes including Young Indiana Jones and Miami Vice. He performed at the Pittsburgh Public Theater in Clifford Odets' Awake and Sing and in Frank Corsaro's production of Strike Up the Band at Philadelphia's Walnut Street Theater.

In 2013, Mr. Trebor was named one of the first Artists-In-Residence at The Braid in Los Angeles (formerly, Jewish Women's Theatre), where he had performed since 2010. In their 2023 show, Stories from The Violins of Hope, he played Israeli luthier Amnon Weinstein whose restoration of Holocaust-era violins gave voice back to hundreds of musicians who perished. The Zoom show featured live music and played nationwide, including a showing at the United Nations.

Mr. Trebor published two books, Dear Salmoneus: The World's First Guide to Love and Money, and The Haircut Who Would Be King, a satire of Trump and Putin.

He is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deirdre Hennings, and was laid to rest in Hollywood Forever Cemetery. Mr. Trebor's talent, humor, energy and enthusiasm will be greatly missed by all who knew him, most especially by his wife.

Donations in Mr. Trebor's memory may be sent to:
- The Braid at https://the-braid.org/ or mail to JWT/The Braid, 3435 Ocean Park Blvd, #107-85, Santa Monica, CA 90405. A scholarship fund is being established in his name.
- The Leukemia Research Foundation at https://leukemiarf.org or mail to Leukemia Research Foundation, 191 Waukegan Road, Suite 105, Northfield IL 60093.