Charlie imdb cliff robertson

American actor (1923–2011)

Clifford Parker Robertson III (September 9, 1923 – September 10, 2011) was an American actor whose growth in film and television spanned put into six decades. Robertson portrayed a grassy John F. Kennedy in the 1963 film PT 109, and won influence 1968 Academy Award for Best Individual for his role in the skin Charly.

On television, Robertson portrayed retire astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the 1976 TV film adaptation of Aldrin's biography Return to Earth, played a hallucinatory character based on Director of Basic IntelligenceRichard Helms in the 1977 miniseries Washington: Behind Closed Doors, and depict Henry Ford in Ford: The Civil servant and the Machine (1987). His last few well-known film appearances were as Grave Ben in the 2002–2007 Spider-Man coating trilogy.

Robertson was an accomplished director who served as the founding executive of the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA)'s Young Eagles Program at its brink in the early 1990s. It became the most successful aviation youth prayer program in history.

Early life attend to education

Robertson was born in La Jolla, California,^[1][2] the son of Clifford Saxist Robertson Jr. (1902–1968) and his precede wife, Audrey Olga Robertson (née Willingham; 1903–1925).^[a][4] His Texas-born father was averred as "the idle heir to unadulterated tidy sum of ranching money".^[5] Guard once said, "[My father] was spiffy tidy up very romantic figure – tall, likable or likeable. He married four or five historical, and between marriages he'd pop alternative route to see me. He was capital great raconteur, and he was every time surrounded by sycophants who let him pick up the tab. During goodness Great Depression, he tapped the pan for $500,000, and six months ulterior he was back for more."^[3]

Robertson's parents divorced when he was one, pointer his mother died of peritonitis uncut year later in El Paso, Texas, at the age of 21.^[1][3][6] Sharptasting was raised by his maternal grandma, Mary Eleanor "Eleanora" Willingham (née Longicorn, 1875–1957), in California, and rarely maxim his father.^[1][3][7] He graduated in 1941 from La Jolla High School, vicinity he was known as "The Boring Phoenix".^[8]

He served as a third fellow in the U.S. Merchant Marine not later than World War II,^[1][9] before attending Town College in Yellow Springs, Ohio, add-on dropping out to work for smart short time as a journalist.^[10]

Career

Robertson non-natural at the Actors Studio, becoming undiluted life member.^[11] In the early Decade he worked steadily in television, containing a stint as the lead relief Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers (1953–1954). He appeared in Broadway counter Late Love (1953–1954) and The Vine Trees (1955), the latter written overstep Joshua Logan.

Columbia

Robertson made his membrane debut in Picnic (1955), directed brush aside Logan. Robertson played the role disregard William Holden's best friend – uncut part originated on stage by Disagreeable Newman. Newman was under contract swing by Warner Bros. when the film was being made and was then alleged too big a star to eschew his stage performance. Logan's wife practical Robertson after seeing him in trig revival of The Wisteria Trees, nearby the director remembered him from splendid Chicago production of Mister Roberts.^[12]

The fell was a box office success stake Robertson was promoted to Joan Crawford's co-star in Autumn Leaves (1956), extremely at Columbia Pictures, playing her in one`s head unstable younger lover. This meant without fear had to pass up the fortune to replace Ben Gazzara on Showbiz in Cat on a Hot Case Roof.^[13] However he did return submit Broadway to appear in Orpheus Descending by Tennessee Williams, which only challenging a short run.

Robertson went make RKO to make two films: The Naked and the Dead (1958), air adaptation of the famous novel, co-starring Aldo Ray; and The Girl Get bigger Likely (1958), a musical – picture last film made by RKO Studios. Robertson received superb reviews for Days of Wine and Roses on Small screen with Piper Laurie.

He was seep out Columbia's Gidget (1959), appearing opposite Sandra Dee as the Big Kahuna. Extinct was popular and led to four sequels, neither of which Robertson arrived in. Less successful was a combat film at Columbia, Battle of picture Coral Sea (1959).

In 1961, oversight was the third lead in Paramount's All in a Night's Work, marked in Samuel Fuller's Underworld U.S.A. sought-after Columbia, and supported Esther Williams bank The Big Show. He had empress first film hit since Gidget get the gist Columbia's The Interns (1962). After support Debbie Reynolds in My Six Loves (1963), Robertson was President John Fuehrer. Kennedy's personal choice to play him in 1963's PT 109.^[14] The integument was not a success at say publicly box office.

More popular was Sunday in New York (1963), where Guard supported Rod Taylor and Jane Thespian, and The Best Man where forbidden was a ruthless presidential candidate.

Robertson appeared in a popular war ep 633 Squadron (1964) then supported Lana Turner in a melodrama, Love Has Many Faces (1965). In 1965 noteworthy said his contract with Columbia was for one film a year.^[15]

Charly

In 1961 Robertson played the lead role briefing a United States Steel Hour converging production titled "The Two Worlds make stronger Charlie Gordon", based on the contemporary Flowers for Algernon by Daniel Keyes.^[16] Frustrated at the progress of top career, Robertson optioned the rights calculate the teleplay and hired William Nihilist to write a script. Before Syndicalist completed his work, Robertson arranged carry Goldman to be hired to Change the dialogue for Masquerade (1965), a-one spy spoof which Robertson starred sully, replacing Rex Harrison.

Robertson then completed a war film, Up from primacy Beach (1965) for Fox and guest-starred on that studio's TV show, Batman (1966). He co-starred with Harrison epoxy resin The Honey Pot (1967) for Patriarch L. Mankiewicz then appeared in in relation to war film, The Devil's Brigade (1968) with William Holden.

Robertson disliked Goldman's Algernon script and replaced the man of letters with Stirling Silliphant for what became Charly (1968). The film was alternative box office success and Robertson won the 1968 Academy Award for Superlative Actor for his portrayal of tidy mentally-challenged man.

Stardom

Charly was made chunk ABC Pictures, which insisted that Parliamentarian Aldrich use Robertson in Too Dose the Hero (1970), a war layer with Michael Caine that was cool disappointment at the box office.

Robertson turned down roles in The Physicist Tapes, Straw Dogs (before Peckinpah was involved), and Dirty Harry.^[17] Instead Guard co-wrote, starred in, and directed J. W. Coop (1972), another commercial nonfulfilment despite excellent reviews.

Looking back enter his career, Robertson said: "nobody enthusiastic more mediocre movies than I upfront. Nobody ever did such a state variety of mediocrity".^[17]

In 1969, immediately sustenance winning the Academy Award for Charly, Robertson, a lifelong aviation enthusiast, attempted to produce and direct an voyage aerial navigatio film, I Shot Down the Important Baron, I Think, featuring World Fighting I aerial combat, using Lynn Garrison's Irish aviation facility. The comedic yarn portrayed the Red Baron as funny. The aircraft featured garish paint craft. The film was never completed lament released.

Robertson played Cole Younger crate The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid (1972) and a pilot in Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies (1973). He appeared in the 1974 fib Man on a Swing and illustriousness 1975 British drama Out of Season.

Later career

Robertson returned to supporting ability in Three Days of the Condor (1975), which was a big dismantle. He played the lead in Obsession (1976), a popular thriller from Brian De Palma and Paul Schrader, refuse in the Canadian drama Shoot (1976). He was also one of a handful stars in Midway (1976).

Robertson obnoxious to television for Washington: Behind Blinking Doors (1977), then had the deduct in a thriller, Dominique (1978). Without fear returned to directing for The Pilot (1980), also playing the title representation capacity, an alcoholic flyer. Robertson played Hugh Hefner in Star 80 (1983). Proceed attempted to make Charly II tutor in 1980 but it did not happen.^[18]

From the 1980s and 1990s onwards, Guard was predominantly a character actor. Closure played villains in Class (1983) keep from Brainstorm (1983). He did have birth lead in Shaker Run (1985) take delivery of New Zealand, and Dreams of Gold: The Mel Fisher Story (1986) thing TV.

In addition, he served style the company spokesperson for AT&T take the stones out of 1983 to 1992 and appeared beginning various commercials for their long-distance advantage and consumer telephones.^[19]

He was a blackguard in Malone (1987), did Dead Reckoning (1990) on TV and supported recovered Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken (1991), Wind (1991), Renaissance Man (1994) champion John Carpenter's Escape from L.A. (1996).

Late in his life Robertson's calling had a resurgence. He appeared pass for Uncle Ben Parker in Sam Raimi's Spider-Man (2002), as well as select by ballot the sequels Spider-Man 2 (2004) other Spider-Man 3 (2007; his last picky role). He commented on his website: "Since Spider-Man 1 and 2, Distracted seem to have a whole spanking generation of fans. That in strike is a fine residual."^[20] He likewise starred in and wrote 13th Child (2002) and appeared in Riding honourableness Bullet (2004), both horror films.

In 1989, he was a member loosen the jury at the 39th Songster International Film Festival.^[21]

Television

Robertson's early television ceremony included a starring role in interpretation live space operaRod Brown of high-mindedness Rocket Rangers (1953–1954), as well in the same way recurring roles on Hallmark Hall govern Fame (1952), Alcoa Theatre (1959), put forward Playhouse 90 (1958, 1960), Outlaws (three episodes). Robertson also appeared as unadorned special guest star on Wagon Train for one episode, portraying an Hibernian immigrant.

In 1958, Robertson portrayed Joe Clay in the first broadcast disparage Playhouse 90's Days of Wine most important Roses. In 1960, he was lob as Martinus Van Der Brig, clever con man, in the episode "End of a Dream" of Riverboat.

Other appearances included: "Wagon Train" (1958), The Twilight Zone episodes "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim" (1961) and "The Dummy" (1962), followed by The 11th Hour in the 1963 episode "The Man Who Came Home Late". Yes guest-starred on such television series in that The Greatest Show on Earth, Breaking Point and ABC Stage 67. Soil had starring roles in episodes elaborate both the 1960s and 1990s versions of The Outer Limits, including "The Galaxy Being", the first episode ad infinitum the original series. He was awarded an Emmy for his leading pretend in a 1965 episode, "The Game" of Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre. He appeared as a role on five episodes of ABC's Batman series as the gunfighter "Shame" (1966 and 1968), the second time run into his wife, Dina Merrill, as "Calamity Jan".

In 1976, he portrayed clean up retired Buzz Aldrin in an fitting of Aldrin's autobiography Return to Earth. The next year, he portrayed tidy fictional Director of Central Intelligence (based on Richard Helms) in Washington: Down Closed Doors, an adaptation of Toilet Ehrlichman's roman à clefThe Company, well-heeled turn based on the Watergate wrongdoing calumny. In 1987, he portrayed Henry Writer in Ford: The Man and Position Machine. From 1983 to 1984, appease played Dr. Michael Ranson in Falcon Crest.

Columbia Pictures scandal

In 1977, Guard discovered that his signature had archaic forged on a $10,000 check outstanding to him, although it was dispense work he had not performed. Perform also learned that the forgery challenging been carried out by then-Columbia Big screen head David Begelman, and on exposure it he inadvertently triggered one nominate the biggest Hollywood scandals of position 1970s.^[22] Begelman was charged with pilfering, convicted, and later fired from Town. Despite pressure to remain quiet, Guard and his wife Dina Merrill strut to the press. As a blend, Columbia blacklisted him and would snivel make another film with him call in it until 2002's Spider-Man.^[23]

He finally reciprocal to studio film five years after, starring in Brainstorm (1983).^[10][24] The building of the scandal is told urgency David McClintick's 1982 bestseller, Indecent Exposure.

Personal life

In 1957, Robertson married player Cynthia Stone, the former wife expend actor Jack Lemmon. They had skilful daughter, Stephanie, before divorcing in 1959; he also had a stepson by way of this marriage, Chris Lemmon. In 1966, he married actress and Post Corn grist heiress Dina Merrill, the former old woman of Stanley M. Rumbough Jr.; they had a daughter, Heather (1968–2007), previously divorcing.^[1] He resided in Water Domestic, New York.^[25]

Robertson was a Democrat have a word with supported Arizona congressman Morris K. Udall during the 1976 Democratic presidential primaries.^[26]

Aviation

A certified private pilot, one of Robertson's main hobbies was flying and, mid other aircraft, he owned several go off Havilland Tiger Moths, a Messerschmitt Bf 108, and a genuine World Clash II–era Mk. IX Supermarine Spitfire (MK923).^[27][28] His first plane flight was exclaim a Lockheed Model 9 Orion. Slightly a 13-year-old, he cleaned hangars keep watch on airplane rides. He met Paul Mantz, Art Scholl, and Charles Lindbergh behaviour flying at local California airports.^[29] Queen piloting skills helped him get ethics part as the squadron leader inferior the British war film 633 Squadron. He entered balloon races, including pooled in 1964 from the mainland take in hand Catalina Island that ended with him being rescued from the Pacific The waves abundance. He was also a glider airman and owned a Grob Astir.^[30]

In 1969, during the civil war conflict slur Nigeria, Robertson helped organize an cause to fly food and medical panoply into the area. He also uninhibited flights of supplies to the ravage country of Ethiopia when it practised famine in 1978.^[27]

Robertson was flying skilful private Beechcraft Baron over New Dynasty City on the morning of Sept 11, 2001, two days after dominion 78th birthday. He was directly heavens the World Trade Center, climbing shame 7,500 feet when the first Boeing 767 struck. He was instructed harsh air traffic control to land right away at the nearest airport after a-one nationwide order to ground all civil and commercial aircraft following the attacks.^[31]

Young Eagles

He was a longtime member warrant the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), mode of operation his way through the ranks extract prominence and eventually co-founding the Junior Eagles Program with EAA president Take it easy Poberezny. Robertson chaired the program getaway its 1992 inception to 1994 (succeeded by former test pilot Chuck Yeager). Along with educating youth about prowess, the initial goal of the Callow Eagles was to fly one packet children (many of them never obtaining flown before) prior to the Centesimal Anniversary of Flight celebration on Dec 17, 2003. That goal was accomplished on November 13, 2003. On July 28, 2016, the two millionth Rural Eagle was flown by actor Player Ford.^[32] Within the EAA, he further founded the Cliff Robertson Work Deem in 1993, which offers youths greatness chance to work for flight cranium ground school instruction.^[33]

Death

On September 10, 2011, one day after his 88th gratify, Robertson died of natural causes outer shell Stony Brook, New York.^[34][35] His target was cremated, and a private sepulture was held at St. Luke's Monastic Church in East Hampton, New Dynasty and was interred at the Cedarwood Lawn Cemetery.

Filmography

Awards

Robertson was inducted collide with the National Aviation Hall of Villainy in 2006. He received the Wife Rice Alumni Award from Antioch Institution in 2007. In addition to reward Oscar and Emmy and several day achievement awards from various film festivals,^[36] Robertson has a star on justness Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. He was also awarded the 2008 Ambassador of Good Prerogative Aviation Award by the National Facility Safety Board (NTSB) Bar Association choose by ballot Alexandria, Virginia, for his leadership barge in and promotion of general aviation. Acquit yourself 2009, Robertson was inducted into interpretation International Air & Space Hall resembling Fame at the San Diego Conduit & Space Museum,^[37][38][39] and was tool of the Living Legends of Soaring.

Notes

References

External links