Robert Thaler hails from Cedar Rapids, Iowa and studied economics and maths at the University of California at Berkeley. After earning his degree, he spent a couple of years working as a Lake Tahoe ski instructor and, at night, playing guitar in local restaurants, starting his acting career with a Shakespearean company. He then toured all over the U.S. in a wide variety of productions.

In Los Angeles, Robert met actor Henry Winkler, who was responsible for helping him get his first television job, a part on a short-lived series called The Renegades. Several guest-starring roles followed and one of his most memorable parts was that of a murderous transvestite on T.J. Hooker.

Robert won a Drama Critics Circle Award for his role in the play Tamara and it was during that play's run that Santa Barbara's producers spotted him and offered him the role of Pearl. Robert was not overly excited at the prospect at first, but accepted the offer and found he enjoyed playing the part.

Robert's birthday is October 15.