Robert Hays, Star of 'Airplane!', Reflects on Career and Nearly Landing Iconic Role
The 79-year-old actor, known for playing Ted Striker, discusses his early career, near miss with David Letterman, and enduring roles.
Robert Hays, the 79-year-old actor celebrated for his role as pilot Ted Striker in the 1980 comedy classic "Airplane!", has recently been seen in Los Angeles, cutting a trim figure and reflecting on his enduring career.
Hays, born in Bethesda, Maryland, began his acting journey in theater, performing in productions such as "The Glass Menagerie" and "Richard III" at San Diego's Old Globe Theatre. He transitioned to film and television in the early 1970s, making his on-screen debut in "The Rockford Files" in 1975. His early television work included notable appearances on popular series of the era, including "Wonder Woman," "The Streets of San Francisco," "Laverne & Shirley," "The Love Boat," and "Marcus Welby, M.D."
His breakout role arrived in 1980 with "Airplane!", a parody film that became a massive box office success, grossing over $171 million against a $3.5 million budget. The film's creators, David Zucker, Jim Abrahams, and Jerry Zucker, reportedly had David Letterman screen-test for the role of Ted Striker, with Hays ultimately securing the part.
"There was something on every page that made me laugh out loud and the stewardess noticed," Hays recalled in a 2020 interview with The Guardian about reading the "Airplane!" script. "I gave it to her when I was done. She was very prim and proper, with her hair in a tight bun. I looked up the aisle and saw her sitting with the script on her lap. A little later, I saw her smiling. Then she started really chuckling. Soon her hair was coming undone and she was laughing uproariously. That's a good sign."
That same year, Hays co-starred in the ABC sitcom "Angie," a show about newlyweds from different backgrounds that aired from 1979 to 1980. Hays left the series to pursue his film career.
Despite the success of "Airplane!", Hays' subsequent film roles in the 1980s, including "Take This Job and Shove It" (1981) and "Cat's Eye" (1985), did not achieve the same level of commercial success. He did, however, star in the 1982 sequel "Airplane II: The Sequel."
In 1991, Hays married singer-actress Cherie Currie, known for her work with the rock band The Runaways. They divorced in 1997, sharing a son, Jake Hays.
Hays also found significant work in voice acting, notably as Tony Stark in the 1994 animated series "Iron Man." He later appeared in the "Homeward Bound" family film franchise in 1993 and 1996, and joined the ensemble cast of Robert Altman's "Dr. T & the Women" in 2000. His television work in the 2000s included a recurring role as Hyde's father in "That '70s Show" and guest spots on "Bette" and "Spin City."
He reunited with "Airplane!" co-director David Zucker for a tourism commercial in 2013 and the parody film "Superhero Movie!" in 2008, which also featured Leslie Nielsen. Hays continues to work sporadically, with a guest appearance on "Toon with Me" in 2026 and collaborations with his "Airplane!" co-star Julie Hagerty on "The Airplane! Live Tour."