Born: September 9, 1923 – Died: September 10, 2011
Cliff Robertson, a notable figure in Hollywood, was born in Los Angeles, California. His journey into the entertainment industry was marked by his distinctive acting style and versatility, making him a memorable presence on both stage and screen. His birth to Clifford Parker Robertson Jr. and Audrey Olga (nee Willingham) Robertson, set the stage for a life that would be as compelling off-screen as it was on it.
Early Life and Career
Raised by his maternal grandmother, Mary Eleanor Willingham, after the early death of his parents, Robertson's early life was marked by personal challenges that he overcame to establish a successful acting career. His education and early influences in the industry are less documented, but his emergence a
Robertson's acting career began with his film debut in "Picnic" (1955). He gained further recognition playing Joan Crawford's young husband in "Autumn Leaves" (1956). However, it was his role in "Charly" (1968), where he portrayed a mentally challenged man, that won him an Academy Award for Best Actor, catapulting him into stardom. This role not only showcased his exceptional talent but also demonstrated his ability to handle complex characters with sensitivity and depth.
Throughout his career, Robertson appeared in a variety of roles across film and television, earning him numerous awards and nominations. His performances in "Three Days of the Condor" (1975) and "Escape from L.A." (1996) were particularly notable. In addition to acting, he was also involved in directing and writing, showcasing his multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry.
Robertson's personal life was as eventful as his career. He was married to Dina Merrill from 1966 to 1989, and they had one child together. Beyond his family life, he was known for his involvement in various causes and remained a respected figure in Hollywood.
Robertson passed away a day after his 88th birthday in Stony Brook, Long Island, New York. His legacy in the film industry is marked by a range of memorable performances that showcased his versatility as an actor. His ability to portray complex characters with authenticity made him an icon in Hollywood and a source of inspiration for actors and filmmakers alike.
Filmography
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Spider-Man 3 | Ben Parker |
| 2004 | Riding the Bullet | Farmer |
| 2004 | Spider-Man 2 | Ben Parker |
| 2003 | The Lyon's Den (TV Series) | Hal Malloy | Hal Molloy |
| 2002 | 13th Child | Mr. Shroud |
| 2002 | Spider-Man | Ben Parker |
| 2001 | Falcon Down (TV Movie) | Buzz Thomas |
| 2000 | Mach 2 | Vice President Pike |
| 1999 | Family Tree | Larry |
| 1999 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | Theodore Harris |
| 1998 | Assignment Berlin | Cliff Garret |
| 1998 | Race | Jack Durmann |
| 1997 | Nova (TV Series) | Narrator |
| 1996 | Escape from L.A. | President |
| 1995 | Dazzle (TV Movie) | Mike Kilkullen |
| 1995 | The Sunset Boys | Ted Roth |
| 1995 | Biography (TV Series) | Narrator |
| 1994 | The American Revolution (TV Series) | George Washington (voice) |
| 1994 | Renaissance Man | Colonel James |
| 1992 | Lincoln (TV Movie) | Noah Brooks (voice) |
| 1992 | Wind | Morgan Weld |
| 1991 | Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken | Doctor W.F. Carver |
| 1990 | Dead Reckoning (TV Movie) | Daniel Barnard |
| 1987 | Ford: The Man and the Machine (TV Movie) | Henry Ford |
| 1987 | Malone | Delaney |
| 1986 | Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story (TV Movie) | Mel Fisher |
| 1985 | Shaker Run | Judd Pierson |
| 1985 | The Key to Rebecca (TV Movie) | Maj. William Vandam |
| 1983–1984 | Falcon Crest (TV Series) | Dr. Michael Ranson |
| 1983 | Brainstorm | Alex Terson |
| 1983 | Class | Mr. Burroughs |
| 1983 | Star 80 | Hugh Hefner |
| 1982 | Two of a Kind (TV Movie) | Frank Minor |
| 1980 | The Pilot | Mike Hagan |
| 1979 | The Little Prince (Short) | Narrator | Pilot (voice) |
| 1979 | Dominique | David Ballard |
| 1978 | Overboard (TV Movie) | Mitch Garrison |
| 1977 | Washington: Behind Closed Doors (TV Mini Series) | William Martin |
| 1977 | Fraternity Row | The Narrator |
| 1976 | Obsession | Michael Courtland |
| 1976 | Midway | Commander Carl Jessop |
| 1976 | Shoot | Rex Jeanette |
| 1976 | Return to Earth (TV Movie) | Col. Edwin A. 'Buzz' Aldrin Jr. |
| 1975 | Three Days of the Condor | Higgins |
| 1975 | Out of Season | Joe |
| 1975 | My Father's House (TV Movie) | Tom Lindholm Jr. |
| 1974 | The Yanks Are Coming (TV Movie) | Narrator |
| 1974 | A Tree Grows in Brooklyn (TV Movie) | Johnny Nolan |
| 1974 | Man on a Swing | Lee Tucker |
| 1974 | Lincoln: Trial by Fire (TV Movie) | Narrator (voice) |
| 1973 | The Man Without a Country (TV Movie) | Philip Nolan |
| 1973 | Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies | Ace Eli Walford |
| 1972 | The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid | Cole Younger |
| 1971 | J W Coop | J W Coop |
| 1970 | Too Late the Hero | Lt. Sam Lawson |
| 1969 | Bracken's World (TV Series) | Cameo (uncredited) |
| 1968–1969 | Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In (TV Series) | Guest Performer (uncredited) |
| 1968 | The Sunshine Patriot (TV Movie) | Christopher Ross | Arthur Selby |
| 1968 | Charly | Charly Gordon |
| 1968 | The Devil's Brigade | Maj. Alan Crown |
| 1966–1968 | Batman (TV Series) | Shame |
| 1964–1967 | Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV Series) | District Attorney Benjamin Reynolds | Will Nye | Quincey Parke ... |
| 1967 | The Honey Pot | William McFly |
| 1967 | ABC Stage 67 (TV Series) | Ben Weldon |
| 1965 | Up from the Beach | Sgt. Edward Baxter |
| 1965 | Masquerade | David Frazer |
| 1965 | Love Has Many Faces | Pete Jordon |
| 1964 | Suspense (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1964 | 633 Squadron | Wing Cmdr. Roy Grant |
| 1964 | The Best Man | Joe Cantwell |
| 1964 | Breaking Point (TV Series) | Evan Ross |
| 1963 | Sunday in New York | Adam Tyler |
| 1963 | The Greatest Show on Earth (TV Series) | Willie Simple |
| 1963 | The Outer Limits (TV Series) | Alan Maxwell |
| 1963 | PT 109 | Lt. (J.G.) John F. Kennedy |
| 1963 | The Eleventh Hour (TV Series) | Jeff Dillon |
| 1963 | My Six Loves | Reverend Jim Larkin |
| 1962 | The Interns | Dr. John Paul Otis |
| 1961–1962 | The Twilight Zone (TV Series) | Jerry Etherson | Christian Horn |
| 1962 | Alcoa Premiere (TV Series) | Hoby Dunlap |
| 1962 | Ben Casey (TV Series) | Eddie Smith |
| 1962 | Golden Showcase (TV Series) | Rims O'Neil |
| 1962 | Bus Stop (TV Series) | Charlie Vansinger |
| 1960–1962 | Outlaws (TV Series) | Griff Kincaid | Jack Masters | Chad Burns |
| 1956–1961 | The United States Steel Hour (TV Series) | Horace Mann Borden | Charlie Gordon | Mason Stephens ... |
| 1961 | The Dick Powell Theatre (TV Series) | Danny Langdon |
| 1961 | The Big Show | Josef Everard |
| 1961 | All in a Night's Work | Warren Kingsley, Jr. |
| 1961 | General Electric Theater (TV Series) | Pegosi |
| 1961 | Underworld U.S.A. | Tolly Devlin |
| 1960 | Riverboat (TV Series) | Martinus Van Der Brig |
| 1958–1960 | Playhouse 90 (TV Series) | Lieutenant Carvet | Joe Clay | Danny Carson |
| 1959 | The Untouchables (TV Series) | Frank Halloway |
| 1959 | Alcoa Theatre (TV Series) | Parker Sefton | Johnny Keegan |
| 1959 | As the Sea Rages | Clements |
| 1959 | Battle of the Coral Sea | Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Conway |
| 1959 | Gidget | Burt Vail aka The Big Kahuna |
| 1959 | Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse (TV Series) | Johnny Garth |
| 1958 | Wagon Train (TV Series) | Liam Fitzmorgan |
| 1958 | The Naked and the Dead | Lt. Robert Hearn |
| 1957 | The Girl Most Likely | Pete |
| 1957 | Kraft Theatre (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1956 | Autumn Leaves | Burt Hanson |
| 1956 | Celebrity Playhouse (TV Series) | Jed Warron |
| 1955 | Picnic | Alan Benson |
| 1951–1955 | Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV Series) | John Robinson |
| 1954 | Modern Romances (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952–1954 | Robert Montgomery Presents (TV Series) | Clark | Mitch Hickock | Paul Smith |
| 1953–1954 | Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers (TV Series) | Rod Brown |
| 1952 | Ten Thousand Words (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Short Short Dramas (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Faith Is a Nine-Letter Word (TV Movie) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Campbell Summer Soundstage (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1952 | Hallmark Hall of Fame (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1951 | The Philco Television Playhouse (TV Series) | Unknown |
| 1950 | Lux Video Theatre (TV Series) | Fireman #8 |
| 1943 | Corvette K-225 | Lookout (uncredited) |
| 1943 | We've Never Been Licked | Adams (uncredited) |
General:
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