ROBERT HALLAK
Actor and Producer
Robert Hallak (aka Melkonian) began his acting career in New York City studying with two industry legends, Stella Adler at The Stella Adler Conservatory, and then extensively with Lee Strasberg at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute. Shortly after they met, Mr. Strasberg invited Robert into his life and his home. The two became dear friends, and Robert became his next, and what would turn out to be his last protégé.
They worked together for almost two years, and ironically on the day of Mr. Strasberg's funeral, Robert auditioned for and landed his first play, the highly acclaimed Off-Broadway production of “A Barber Shop in Pittsburgh” directed by Frank Corsaro at The Actors Studio, NY. He immediately went on to do Edwardo Muchado’s “The Modern Ladies of Guanabacoa” at The Ensemble Studio Theatre, NY. Shortly thereafter he spent the next year working with Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Sidney Kingsley on his final play “Falling Man" with Penny Allen and Micheal Margotta, also at The Actors Studio, NY.
Upon moving to Los Angeles Robert co-founded the award-winning Friends and Artists Theatre Ensemble (FATE). He performed in numerous productions, including the role of Willie Eisenring in “The Firebugs,” Job/Bob in “Moonchildren” and Jean-Paul Marat in “Marat-Sade”. Robert was soon cast in a starring role in the television miniseries “The Billionaire Boys Club.” He has guest-starred and co-starred in many television shows including Arrested Development, Just Shoot Me, Home Improvement, Mysteries of Laura and Shades of Blue. Robert co-starred with Micheal Imperioli in Henry Jaglom's feature film “The M Word.” This was his fifth film with Henry Jaglom, including “Someone To Love” which turned out to be Orson Welles last film. He can also be seen in “The Bike” written and directed by Enrico Colantoni, “Desert Wedding” by Emmy award-winning writer/director Alexandra Fisher, and he also worked with Al Pacino on his documentary feature film “Wilde Salome.” Robert co-starred in the feature films “A-GuruPhobia” with Pepe Serna, “1915 The Movie” directed by Garin Hovannisian and Alec Mouhibian, dealing with the Armenian Genocide, and “The Debt Collector” directed by Jesse Johnson. His most recent works are two short films “Words” with Dan Luria and Enrico Colantoni and “The Sitdown.” Robert was made a lifetime member of the Actors Studio in New York by Lee Strasberg personally. He is also a member of Bobby Morasco’s - The Actors Gym.