“Hercules” and “Xena” actor dies at 71—remembering a fan favorite from the fantasy classics
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The entertainment world is saying goodbye to a beloved talent whose charm and wit lit up the screen in one of the most iconic TV universes of the '90s.
For many fans, his character wasn’t just comic relief—it was the heart of an entire fandom. His work earned him action figures, convention appearances, and a place in the memories of an entire generation of viewers.
Now, after decades of performance, his legacy lives on in reruns, collectibles, and the lives he touched both on and off screen.
A Life on Stage and Screen
Robert Trebor, best known for playing the spirited merchant Salmoneus on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and its spinoff Xena: Warrior Princess, has passed away at the age of 71.
According to his family, he died from sepsis on March 11 following a long health battle after a leukemia diagnosis in 2012 and a stem-cell transplant the following year.
Born in Philadelphia and a graduate of Northwestern University, Trebor’s career began in New York City’s off-Broadway scene, where he honed his skills at the Ensemble Studio Theatre performing works by Shel Silverstein.
His breakout screen role came in the 1985 TV film Out of the Darkness, where he portrayed serial killer David Berkowitz (“Son of Sam”) alongside Martin Sheen.
Becoming Salmoneus: A Fan-Favorite for the Ages
While his early work included notable roles in 52 Pick-Up (1986), My Demon Lover (1987), Making Mr. Right (1987), and Oliver Stone’s Talk Radio (1988), it was his portrayal of Salmoneus that made him a cult icon.
Salmoneus was more than comic relief—he was a symbol of earnest ambition, eccentric charm, and human vulnerability. In a 2001 interview with The Voyageur, Trebor reflected on the character’s complexity, saying Salmoneus “tried to be a good person, but his essential mercantile instincts kept interfering.” Trebor insisted the character was no thief or conman—just a good-hearted opportunist with a “glib tongue” trying to get by in a mythological world of gods and monsters.
His portrayal was so beloved that it earned him his own action figure and made him a fixture at fan conventions around the globe.
Beyond the Mythology
Trebor’s talents reached far beyond ancient Greece. He appeared in episodes of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Tales from the Crypt, and the 2004 comedy Jiminy Glick in Lalawood. He was also featured in Hercules and the Lost Kingdom (1994) and wrapped his film career with a role in the Coen Brothers’ Hail, Caesar! (2016).
In 2013, he became one of the first Artists-in-Residence at The Braid, a Jewish arts and culture organization in Los Angeles. There, he mentored others and continued creating, even authoring two books: Dear Salmoneus: The World’s First Guide to Love and Money and The Haircut Who Would Be King.
A Final Curtain Call
Trebor is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deirdre Hennings, who confirmed his passing and shared that donations in his memory can be made to The Braid, where a scholarship is being established in his name, as well as to the Leukemia Research Foundation.
His legacy is not just in the characters he played, but in the laughter, inspiration, and warmth he brought to his fans, friends, and colleagues. “Talent, humor, energy and enthusiasm”—his obituary reads—“will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
As we reflect on the life and career of Robert Trebor, we invite you to share your memories in the comments below. Which of his performances made you laugh—or think—most? How did his work on Hercules or Xena shape your viewing experience? Join The GrayVine community in celebrating a life well-lived and a character whose legacy will long outlive the myths.
For many fans, his character wasn’t just comic relief—it was the heart of an entire fandom. His work earned him action figures, convention appearances, and a place in the memories of an entire generation of viewers.
Now, after decades of performance, his legacy lives on in reruns, collectibles, and the lives he touched both on and off screen.
A Life on Stage and Screen
Robert Trebor, best known for playing the spirited merchant Salmoneus on Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and its spinoff Xena: Warrior Princess, has passed away at the age of 71.
According to his family, he died from sepsis on March 11 following a long health battle after a leukemia diagnosis in 2012 and a stem-cell transplant the following year.
Born in Philadelphia and a graduate of Northwestern University, Trebor’s career began in New York City’s off-Broadway scene, where he honed his skills at the Ensemble Studio Theatre performing works by Shel Silverstein.
His breakout screen role came in the 1985 TV film Out of the Darkness, where he portrayed serial killer David Berkowitz (“Son of Sam”) alongside Martin Sheen.
Becoming Salmoneus: A Fan-Favorite for the Ages
While his early work included notable roles in 52 Pick-Up (1986), My Demon Lover (1987), Making Mr. Right (1987), and Oliver Stone’s Talk Radio (1988), it was his portrayal of Salmoneus that made him a cult icon.
Salmoneus was more than comic relief—he was a symbol of earnest ambition, eccentric charm, and human vulnerability. In a 2001 interview with The Voyageur, Trebor reflected on the character’s complexity, saying Salmoneus “tried to be a good person, but his essential mercantile instincts kept interfering.” Trebor insisted the character was no thief or conman—just a good-hearted opportunist with a “glib tongue” trying to get by in a mythological world of gods and monsters.
His portrayal was so beloved that it earned him his own action figure and made him a fixture at fan conventions around the globe.
Beyond the Mythology
Trebor’s talents reached far beyond ancient Greece. He appeared in episodes of The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles, Tales from the Crypt, and the 2004 comedy Jiminy Glick in Lalawood. He was also featured in Hercules and the Lost Kingdom (1994) and wrapped his film career with a role in the Coen Brothers’ Hail, Caesar! (2016).
In 2013, he became one of the first Artists-in-Residence at The Braid, a Jewish arts and culture organization in Los Angeles. There, he mentored others and continued creating, even authoring two books: Dear Salmoneus: The World’s First Guide to Love and Money and The Haircut Who Would Be King.
A Final Curtain Call
Trebor is survived by his wife of 43 years, Deirdre Hennings, who confirmed his passing and shared that donations in his memory can be made to The Braid, where a scholarship is being established in his name, as well as to the Leukemia Research Foundation.
His legacy is not just in the characters he played, but in the laughter, inspiration, and warmth he brought to his fans, friends, and colleagues. “Talent, humor, energy and enthusiasm”—his obituary reads—“will be greatly missed by all who knew him.”
