Robert Hays, Star of 'Airplane!', Appears Youthful at 79
The actor, best known for his role as Ted Striker, was recently photographed in Los Angeles.
Actor Robert Hays, who gained fame in 1980 for his role as pilot Ted Striker in the blockbuster parody "Airplane!," was recently seen in Los Angeles. Now 79, Hays, a native of Bethesda, Maryland, maintains a youthful appearance.
Hays began his acting career in theater before transitioning to film and television in the early 1970s. His early television credits include appearances on "The Rockford Files," "Wonder Woman," and "The Streets of San Francisco." In 1980, Hays achieved significant recognition with a dual success: a leading role in the highly rated but short-lived ABC sitcom "Angie," and his iconic part in "Airplane!."
He left "Angie" to pursue his film career, drawn to the "Airplane!" script, which he read on a plane. Hays recalled an interaction with a flight attendant who began laughing uncontrollably while reading the script he lent her, which he took as a positive sign.
"Airplane!," co-starring Leslie Nielsen and Julie Hagerty, was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $171 million against a $3.5 million budget. Despite the success of "Airplane II: The Sequel" in 1982, Hays's subsequent film roles in the 1980s, including "Take This Job and Shove It" and "Cat's Eye," did not achieve similar box office performance.
During the 1990s, Hays took on voice acting roles, notably as Tony Stark in the 1994 animated series "Iron Man." He also appeared in the "Homeward Bound" film franchise in 1993 and 1996. The 2000s saw him join the ensemble cast of Robert Altman's "Dr. T & the Women," have a recurring role on "That '70s Show," and appear in television series such as "Bette" and "Spin City."
Interestingly, Hays reportedly beat out David Letterman for the role of Ted Striker. Letterman, who also started in television during the 1980s, later recalled his awkward screen test for the part, which resurfaced on his NBC show.
Hays has continued to work sporadically, including a guest spot on "Toon with Me" in late 2026. He also collaborates with his "Airplane!" co-star Julie Hagerty on "Airplane! Live Tour" and has worked with director David Zucker on commercials and the parody film "Superhero Movie!" in 2008. He was married to singer-actress Cherie Currie from 1991 to 1997, with whom he shares a son, Jake Hays.
