CSI: crime scene investigation

“Dr Albert Robbins” (Robert David Hall)

Dr. Robbins spent his early life as an underdog. Misunderstood by his peers, he began taking solace in books from an early age, discovering an aptitude for academia. Working in an HMO-heavy medical field made him long to have a private practice, and ended up settling into a career in the most private practice of them all. His love of crime novels led him to combine his two loves in his career - medicine, and being an armchair death investigator. And working alone in the quiet folds of a coroner's office allows him room to do what he does best.

With 18 years in the business, veteran character actor Robert David Hall, who appeared in Season 1 in the recurring role of the Coroner Dr. Robbins, returns in Season 2 as a regular.

Equally at home in film and television, Hall’s feature work has included roles in The Negotiator, starring Kevin Spacey and Samuel L. Jackson, and StarshipTroopers.

It was his role as a burn survivor in Michael Apted's Class Action (starring Gene Hackman and Lawrence Fishburne) that closely parallels his life. In 1978, an 18-wheel truck struck Hall’s car. He was severely burned when his gas tank exploded, leading to the amputation of both legs. Today, Hall walks comfortably on two artificial legs.

His appearance in Class Action led to television guest-starring roles in Brooklyn South, Touched By An Angel, Promised Land, Love and War, Highway to Heaven, L.A. Law, and recurring roles on High Incident and Life Goes On. He also appeared in the role of "Samson" in the TNT Emmy -winning mini-series Andersonville, directed by John Frankenheimer. Most recently, he has appeared in The West Wing and has played recurring roles on Family Law and The Practice.

Hall’s ability to act in a variety of roles--from comedy to drama--earned him 1998's Harold Russell Award from the Media Access Office, presented to the actor who serves as a role model for other disabled actors.

In addition to acting, Hall is a voiceover talent, and can be heard in many national spots.

He also has a keen interest in music. He plays guitar and, in the past, has sang in several bands. For more than four years, he was the daytime voice and music director of KNX-FM, a legendary CBS alternative music station in Los Angeles.

A community activist, Hall serves on the boards of The Mark Taper Forum’s Other Voices Project, The Media Access Office, The Screen Actors Guild and AFTRA (as National Chairman of the Performers with Disabilities Caucus), and Mutual Amputee Foundation (where he visits new amputees).