OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc. OnlineHost: One of the most popular and prolific actors on television, Robert Urich has starred in ten television series, including the popular, long-running series "Spenser: For Hire" and "Vega$." Urich has also starred in the series "S.W.A.T.," "Gavilan," "Soap," "Tabitha," "Bob and Carol and Ted and Alice," "American Dreamer," "Crossroads" and most recently, "It Had to be You." Welcome! AOLiveMC4: Your emcees for tonight's event are SammiNJ (AOLiveMC4) and VeronikaAB (AOLiveMC8) AOLiveMC4: Welcome, everyone, to the Bowl and a special welcome to our guest, Robert Urich! UrichR: I want to thank everyone for showing up this evening and it's flattering to know that over 220 calls per minute are waiting to ask questions and it's very gratifying. AOLiveMC4: Mr. Urich, are you ready to take some questions from our audience? UrichR: We're ready. Absolutely! AOLiveMC4: RPOLAND1 asks: Question: Is there any chance that you would every reprise the roll of "Spenser" in the TV series? It is without a doubt one of the finest TV series ever on television. UrichR: Thanks for the good words about "Spenser." I personally had a serendipitous meeting with Robert Parker and his wife in Tucson this past fall, where we discuss future "Spenser" movies And although nothing is set at the moment, there's always a good chance for another "Spenser" movie. The "Spenser" character was always one of my favorites. AOLiveMC4: In4ap would like to know: Question: How has your perception of life changed since you've become ill? UrichR: First of all, I'm not ill anymore. Three weeks ago tomorrow I had a surgery and the doctors tell me they found no evidence of cancer or a tumor. But the experience has been a life altering one. I've always felt that my priorities were in proper alignment but this flirting with cancer has only reinforced my desire to live every day to the fullest. It's also forced me to look at using my talents in other areas, which brings us to my new computer venture ... a company that I'm co-founder of called Computer Sentry Software and our inaugural program which is called Cyber Angel. We can discuss it further, but if you'd like to know what Cyber Angel does, you can contact us at www.sentryinc.com. AOLiveMC4: SSEABON comments: Comment: Robert, I wanted to tell you that it was a pleasure to be in the cast choir during your narration at the Candlelight Processional at Epcot two years ago and God willing, I would like to see you back with us again. UrichR: Thank you! I was only a few days ago invited to do the Christmas program at Disney Land in Los Angeles. My participation at Epcot Center in Florida two years ago was truly one of the most gratifying performing events I've ever been involved with and I hope to come down to Epcot again some day to reprise that performance. AOLiveMC4: CClvyA wonders: Question: What made you decide to be the spokesperson for THE CYBERANGEL? UrichR: The CyberAngel was an idea like all great ideas, born out of real need and necessity. My son had had his laptop computer stolen at school, and concurrently my best friend and business partner, Dyrk Halstead, in Nashville, was thinking of going on line to do his banking via his PC. We both realized there was a tremendous gap in available technology in securing valuable information and data. It only seemed natural that as we develop this program and this company, that I should use some of my ability as a sales person and celebrity to launch this program. AOLiveMC4: Spcale asks: Question: Are you a Christian? Or what is your religion now? UrichR: I have always been a Christian. I was baptized and raised Roman Catholic. AOLiveMC4: FunChic69 wants to know: Question: Mr. Urich are you working on any current film(s), and if so what are they? UrichR: I recently completed a Christmas film for the Family Channel called "The Angel of Pennsylvania Avenue." It airs, I believe, starting December 15. And I'm currently in Tampa, Florida filming a new series for PBS called "Boatworks" which is a magazine concept show featuring stories about boating and people who love spending time on or around water. I've also just received word that I'll be one of the voices of the first animated series from Dreamworks, Steven Spielberg's company. It'll be a prime time series starting next fall, I believe. AOLiveMC4: KLGrube wonders: Question: Could you please ask Mr. Urich about his background with computers, perhaps the kind of system he has and what drew his interest to Cyberangels. I'm also curious to know if he did any (or all) of the work on his own web site. Thanks! UrichR: I consider myself quite the novice when it comes to computer programming. But I do know a good thing when I see it. I'm going to defer to my erstwhile partner Dyrk Halstead, who might explain the website because he had a major hand in the development. Dyrk: Robert has had an interest in computers insofar as it relates to his work and his family. His interest in the CyberAngel came about largely as the result of a conversation that he and I had shortly after his son's laptop was stolen. I told Robert that the CyberAngel could perform three basic functions and those are: It allows a computer owner to be notified of any unauthorized use of his computer. It prevents unauthorized uploading or downloading of information through that computer's modem. It prevents unauthorized access to online accounts such as America Online. And it determines and notifies the location of stolen computers. Cheap insurance at $39.95 a year.! Dyrk: Robert's interest in the Internet was also born of necessity. Shortly after his announcement that he had cancer, it became apparent that he needed a more effective method of communicating with concerned and obviously sincere fans. We decided to initiate a Robert Urich Home Page (www.roberturich.com) to keep all concerned parties up to date on his health, career, and upcoming events that he was involved in. To date, three weeks after the inauguration of his home page, he has had about 35,000 visitors. AOLiveMC4: CClvyA asks: Question: Can we send you e-mail at your website, www.roberturich.com? UrichR: Absolutely! AOLiveMC4: In4ap wants to know: Question: What do you consider your greatest achievement as an actor? UrichR: Aside from longevity, which is truly an accomplishment in Hollywood, perhaps "Lonesome Dove," the miniseries, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Robert Duval, among others, plus my latest series, "The Lazarus Man," which I had such high hopes for. I just wish that Ted Turner would get a couple hundred thousand hits on his web page telling him to put it back on the air. So let's get busy folks! AOLiveMC4: What's his web address? I'm sure these folks will oblige! AOLiveMC4: We'll have that info for you in a moment. Get your pencils. AOLiveMC4: Teacher38 wonders: Question: Why did Mr. Urich leave "National Geographic Explorer?" UrichR: I left "National Geographic Explorer" because of time constraints and demands that it was making on my theatrical acting career. I still do National Geographic on assignment and hope to continue that relationship. But Explorer just simply took too much time, and I was turning down movie roles that I wanted to do. UrichR: Here is Ted Turner's url... www.turner.com. AOLiveMC4: TCaine943 asks: Question: If you could ask a question of your fans, what would it be? From your greatest fan, Tammy Caine UrichR: What kind of roles would they choose for me if they were choosing? It's always interesting to hear from fans and to finally understand how performances come to touch their lives in a very real sense. This illness of mine invites me to be even more discriminating in the roles that I choose. AOLiveMC4: JMStarbuc would like to know: Question: Who of all the people you have worked with on TV do you maintain a relationship with? UrichR: Several people come to mind. Tom Selleck, Avery Brooks, who was my costar in "Spenser" for Hire, Joanna Kearns, who starred with me in the miniseries "Blind Faith," and although most civilians think of Hollywood as one big fraternity, most celebrities, as far as I know, spend very little time socializing away from the set. I am as excited as the next guy when I bump into Jack Nicholson on the golf course. Or Joe Pesche at a cocktail party. I'm a fan too! AOLiveMC4: BabyCakeN has this to say: Comment: Hello. My name is Lorraine. I have been a huge fan of yours since I was 10. I have been waiting for the chance to meet you for 20 years!!! I was very happy to hear that you were going to be all right. I just wanted you to know how much I have enjoyed your work over the years and how much you are admired and loved. UrichR: Thank you Lorraine BabyCake! Dyrk: It has been very gratifying to see the sincerity and the concern that people have expressed by way of e-mail from Robert's home page. UrichR: Never let it be said that the computer crowd is any less feeling than the neighbor down the street. AOLiveMC4: Maubait asks: Question: Do you have a favorite book, play or project that you have always wanted to do ? UrichR: Yes! I have long dreamed about doing "Don Quixote de la Mancha." And I was actually scheduled to tour two summers ago in a national company of "Man of la Mancha." "The Lazarus Man" was ultimately picked up and has delayed my singing debut on the stage. AOLiveMC4: Firesmith wants to know: Question: When are you going to do a "Deep Space Nine" with Brooks? UrichR: Avery Brooks and I joked about my doing a "Deep Space Nine" now that I've lost my hair. All we'd have to do is make my ears pointy to create the perfect alien. I'm happy to report that I should probably be buying shampoo by springtime. My hair is already starting to come back in. AOLiveMC4: LMel40 wonders: Question: We love the pet commercials, do you own horses or dogs? UrichR: I own three dogs, four cats, just sold five horses and gave a sixth horse away, a horse that starred in a movie with me three years ago on ABC. It was a horse headed for the glue factory, but I loved him too much to let him go. So $10,000 worth of vet bills later, Tom Thumb, the horse, is healthy, happy and living in Colorado. AOLiveMC4: BrandrB asks: Question: What is it like being so famous? Do you wish that you were just an average person? Dyrk: He IS an average person. He's a regular guy! UrichR: I'd like to think of myself as a regular guy, but there's nothing average about my life. I have extraordinary friends, have had countless opportunities and every day I expect' something good to happen. I am currently excited about the possibility of using my talents in areas other than performing. Why not bring some of that talent to bear in endeavors such as CyberAngel? It's exciting to be a part of such an idea because it can help so many people. It's one thing to be in business to make money. Quite another to be committed to an idea that works for everyone. AOLiveMC4: You mentioned that CyberAngel can find stolen computers. How does that work? UrichR: I will defer that question to my partner, Dyrk. Dyrk: The CyberAngel program causes stolen computers to call Computer Sentry Software's Security Headquarters. In about one or two minutes we can notify the legitimate owner of the computer of the location of the stolen system. We actually provide the name, address and phone number from where his computer is calling in about a minute or two. AOLiveMC4: Very Cool. Thanks. AOLiveMC4: Hibbatal asks: Question: What do you think the art of acting brings to the world- is it just entertainment or something more? UrichR: I think that all art, including performing arts, is the thing that separates man from the lesser primates in the jungle. It elevates our spirits, it gives our souls wings. It holds a mirror up to us so that we see ourselves. It pursues the ultimate truth and allows us to move to greater heights as spiritual beings. AOLiveMC4: JMStarbuc asks: Question: Has anything happened with the Family channel? I heard they were interested in making some Western movies. UrichR: I am currently in discussion with the good folks at the Family Channel. We're looking at various genres including, but not exclusively, Westerns. AOLiveMC4: RAneses52 wants to know: Question: How did you become a actor? UrichR: Seeing how we only have five more minutes left tonight, I couldn't begin to tell the whole story. But suffice it to say, it all started with a dream that through encouragement from people who cared about me, I was able to take action and commit to a career that took me to a college degree and then another and then more study with professional theater companies. And the growth process continues daily. And because we have such little time, I want to thank everyone who's listened in tonight for their questions, their encouragement, their prayers and their interest in the new projects I have coming up... and of course my new business adventure, The CyberAngel at Computer Sentry Software. AOLiveMC4: JMStarbuc and your other fans want to know: Question: Is there an official Robert Urich Fan Club? UrichR: There's no official Robert Urich fan club perse', but you can always stay in touch via the Home Page and www.roberturich.com. AOLiveMC4: CAFem35 asks: Question: Robert, your strength and positive outlook is admirable. Because you were faced with such a situation, how has this affected your overall view of your profession and life in general? UrichR: It makes me realize that I need to rededicate myself to not only doing quality work, but enjoying my family and my friends, moment to moment, each day of my life. It's a sobering experience to be confronted with such an illness, but I can truly say that it has changed my life for the better. I could never have said that prior to having gone through this event. And it may sound peculiar to some people but there, but I assure you that a paradyme shift has occurred that my life has been changed for the better forever. AOLiveMC4: We've run out of time tonight! Thanks, audience, for stopping by and asking some great questions. AOLiveMC4: And thank you, Robert for being a great guest and an inspiration! Thanks to you too, Dyrk! UrichR: Thank you very much. You can reach me at my home page, www.roberturich.com, or you can reach Dyrk and the CyberAngel at www.sentryinc.com. Thank you again. AOLiveMC4: Good Night All! OnlineHost: Thanks for joining us in the Oldsmobile Celebrity Circle this evening. Remember, Oldsmobile brings an exciting guest online every Monday through Friday, and transcripts from the events can be downloaded using keywords: "Oldsmobile" or "AOL Live" within 24 hours after the event has ended. OnlineHost: Copyright 1996 Oldsmobile; licensed to America Online, Inc.