Biography

Robert G. Springsteen (September 8, 1904 – December 9, 1989) was an American director of Hollywood B movies and television shows. He was most often credited on screen as R. G. Springsteen. Born in Tacoma, Washington, in 1904, Springsteen started working in Hollywood during the 1920s. He was hired by Fox Studios as a wardrobe assistant. In 1936 he moved to directing and worked as a Second unit, or assistant, director on numerous low budget B movies. During this time film credits often listed him by the nickname of Bud Springsteen. By 1945 Springsteen became a lead director and established himself as a filmmaker with his first B Western, Marshal of Laredo. From 1945 through 1968, Springsteen was a prolific director of Hollywood B Westerns and television episodes initially with Republic Pictures and later with A.C. Lyles's series of Westerns for Paramount Pictures. His last directing job came in 1968 with an episode of the television series Gentle Ben.