Robert Vaughn’s first notable screen role was in the 1950 The Young Philadelphians, which earned him a nomination for both the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and the Golden Globe.
Vaughan plays Chester “Chet” Gwynn, friend of Joan Dickinson (Barbara Rush), who warns her not to let social pressure deter her from marrying the man she loves, up and coming Tony (played by Paul Newman), as opposed to boring millionaire Carter Henry (Anthony Eisley).
Vaughan then appeared as gunman Lee in The Magnificent Seven (1960), a role he essentially reprised 20 years later in Battle Beyond the Stars (1980), both films adapted from filmmaker Kurosawa 1954 Japanese samurai epic, Seven Samurai.
Vaughn was the last surviving member of those who portrayed The Magnificent Seven.
He played a different role, Judge Oren Travis, on the 1998-2000 syndicated TV series The Magnificent Seven.