Robert A. Wilson, the father of actors Luke and Owen Wilson, reportedly died Friday after of Alzheimer’s disease. He was 75 years old.
Luke Wilson confirmed the news of his father's death to the The Dallas Morning News.
Robert "Bob" Wilson was a prominent figure in television and is said to have paved the way for KERA, North Texas' public broadcasting station. He was the inspiration of the 2011 documentary "Bob Wilson and the Early Years of KERA;" however, he was too sick at the time to attend the release.
In his 50-year career, Bob Wilson inspired many, including Jim Lehrer, whom he hired to create and host “Newsroom.”
“This man operated at full blast,” Lehrer said. “Neither one of us knew a damn thing about television, but Bobby had it in him, and he put KERA on the map.”
Besides Luke and Owen, Bob Wilson is survived by his wife, Laura; a third son Andrew; and multiple grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made in his memory to PBS.
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