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IMDbPro

Jay Robinson(1930-2013)

  • Actor
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
Anne Francis, Dean Jones, and Jay Robinson in Born Again (1978)
Trailer for this historical action film
Play trailer3:11
Gladiaattorit (1954)
1 Video
65 Photos
Character actor Jay Robinson owned a pair of the narrowest, cruelest-looking eyes in 1950s Hollywood. To complement them was an evil-looking sneer, crisp and biting diction and a nefarious-sounding cackle. These were all draped upon a lean, bony physique that could slither about menacingly like a ready-to-pounce cobra. With that in mind, he made an auspicious film debut as Caligula in Näin hänen kuolevan (1953), stealing much of the proceedings from the movie's actual stars Richard Burton, Jean Simmons and Victor Mature. Though many complained that Jay's interpretation bordered dangerously on outrageous camp, his depraved Roman emperor nevertheless remains the most indelible image when reminded of the epic costumer.

Born on April 14, 1930 in New York City, Jay came from a fine upbringing, tutored at private schools both here and in Europe. His background in summer stock and repertory companies eventually attracted Broadway work in the Shakespeare classics "As You Like It" (1950) and "Much Ado About Nothing" (1952). He also appeared in and produced the play, "Buy Me Blue Ribbons," in 1951, which was short-lived. After his movie bow, Jay went on to reprise the scenery-chewing character Caligula in Gladiaattorit (1954) with Mature and Susan Hayward, and offered typically eye-catching supporting turns in Neitsytkuningatar (1955), starring Bette Davis, and Rakkaani, älä karkaa! (1957), with David Niven and June Allyson.

However, it was at this juncture that things started going horribly wrong for Jay. His new-found celebrity reportedly went to his head and he became extremely difficult to work with. In addition, the volatile actor began experimenting recklessly with drugs. In 1958, he was booked for possession of narcotics (methadone) and sentenced to a year in jail. Free on bail, the incident and resulting notoriety ruined his career. After scraping up work outside the entertainment industry as a cook and landlord, he recovered from his drug addiction and married. Resuming work in obscure bit parts, he had another career relapse when he was forced to spend 15 months in jail after an old warrant was served on him.

In the late 1960s, Jay started appearing again on television. He even prodded the memory of his own character Caligula character by playing an impertinent Julius Caesar on an episode of Vaimoni on noita (1964). However, it took a huge star like Bette Davis, who had always recognized and appreciated his talent, to help him regain a footing in movies again when she insisted he take a prime role in her movie, Bunny O'Hare (1971). The movie failed miserably, deservedly so, but Jay prevailed and managed to repair his status with a number of delightfully flamboyant and hammy performances.

Jay played fun parts along the way in Woody Allen's Mitä kaikkea oletkaan aina halunnut tietää seksistä, mutta et ole rohjennut kysyä (1972), Warren Beatty's Shampoo (1975) and even Big Top Pee-wee (1988). While he played the delightfully eccentric Dr. Shrinker on The Krofft Supershow (1976) for one season, he somewhat balanced this silliness with made-for-video Shakespearean performances of Macbeth (1981), The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice (1981) and Richard II (1982). Some horror roles fell his way as well with Train Ride to Hollywood (1975), in which he played Dracula, Transylvania Twist (1989) and Bram Stoker's Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992).

In 1997, Jay proved an ideal host for the Discovery Channel's Beyond Bizarre (1997). HIs last TV work was providing various voices for the animated comedy series Mad Jack the Pirate (1998).

Jay Robinson died at age 83 of congestive heart failure in his home in Sherman Oaks, California on September 27, 2013.
BornApril 14, 1930
DiedSeptember 27, 2013(83)
BornApril 14, 1930
DiedSeptember 27, 2013(83)
IMDbProStarmeterSee rank
  • Awards
    • 1 win

Photos65

Jay Robinson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)
Robert O'Reilly, Meeno Peluce, and Jay Robinson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)
Robert O'Reilly and Jay Robinson in Scarecrow and Mrs. King (1983)
Billie Hayes and Jay Robinson in The Krofft Superstar Hour (1978)
Paul Gale and Jay Robinson in The Krofft Superstar Hour (1978)
Jay Robinson and Stuart 'Woody' Wood in The Krofft Superstar Hour (1978)
Billy Barty and Jay Robinson in The Krofft Superstar Hour (1978)
Billy Barty and Jay Robinson in The Krofft Supershow (1976)
Jay Robinson in The Krofft Supershow (1976)
Billy Barty and Jay Robinson in The Krofft Supershow (1976)
Billy Barty and Jay Robinson in The Krofft Supershow (1976)
Ted Eccles and Jay Robinson in The Krofft Supershow (1976)

Known for:

Richard Burton, Victor Mature, and Jean Simmons in Näin hänen kuolevan (1953)
Näin hänen kuolevan
6.7
  • Caligula
  • 1953
Anthony Hopkins, Gary Oldman, Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Monica Bellucci, Sadie Frost, Michaela Bercu, and Florina Kendrick in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
Bram Stoker's Dracula
7.4
  • Mr. Hawkins
  • 1992
Anne Bancroft, Susan Hayward, Victor Mature, Richard Egan, Debra Paget, Michael Rennie, and Jay Robinson in Gladiaattorit (1954)
Gladiaattorit
6.6
  • Caligula
  • 1954
Train Ride to Hollywood (1975)
Train Ride to Hollywood
4.6
  • Dracula
  • 1975

Credits

Edit
IMDbPro

Actor

  • Mad Jack the Pirate (1998)
    Mad Jack the Pirate
    8.6
    TV Series
    • (voice)
    • 1998
  • Fran Drescher in Nanny (1993)
    Nanny
    7.1
    TV Series
    • The Maitre'd
    • 1994
  • Murha ystävien kesken (1994)
    Murha ystävien kesken
    5.2
    TV Movie
    • 1994
  • Muistikuvat murhasta (1993)
    Muistikuvat murhasta
    5.4
    TV Movie
    • Dr. James Portman
    • 1993
  • Skeeter (1993)
    Skeeter
    3.3
    • Drake
    • 1993
  • Ghost Ship (1992)
    Ghost Ship
    4.4
    • Crusoe - pirate
    • 1992
  • Sinatra (1992)
    Sinatra
    7.2
    TV Mini Series
    • Major Bowes
    • 1992
  • Anthony Hopkins, Gary Oldman, Keanu Reeves, Winona Ryder, Monica Bellucci, Sadie Frost, Michaela Bercu, and Florina Kendrick in Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)
    Bram Stoker's Dracula
    7.4
    • Mr. Hawkins
    • 1992
  • Angela Lansbury in Murder, She Wrote (1984)
    Murder, She Wrote
    7.2
    TV Series
    • Bishop Burkhardt
    • Paddock
    • 1987–1991
  • Kirstie Alley, Woody Harrelson, Ted Danson, Kelsey Grammer, John Ratzenberger, George Wendt, and Rhea Perlman in Terveydeksi (1982)
    Terveydeksi
    8.0
    TV Series
    • Larry
    • 1989
  • Transylvania Twist (1989)
    Transylvania Twist
    5.2
    • Uncle Ephram
    • 1989
  • Päivien viemää (1965)
    Päivien viemää
    5.2
    TV Series
    • Monty Dolan
    • 1988–1989
  • Big Top Pee-wee (1988)
    Big Top Pee-wee
    5.1
    • Cook
    • 1988
  • Arsenio Hall, Maurice LaMarche, Dave Coulier, Lorenzo Music, Kath Soucie, Laura Summer, and Frank Welker in The Real Ghost Busters (1986)
    The Real Ghost Busters
    7.6
    TV Series
    • Calamari (voice, uncredited)
    • 1987
  • Harry Anderson, Selma Diamond, Ellen Foley, John Larroquette, Richard Moll, and Charles Robinson in Harryn lakitupa (1984)
    Harryn lakitupa
    7.7
    TV Series
    • Roland Jeffries
    • 1987

Videos1

Demetrius and the Gladiators
Trailer 3:11
Demetrius and the Gladiators

Personal details

Edit
  • Born
    • April 14, 1930
    • New York City, New York, USA
  • Died
    • September 27, 2013
    • Sherman Oaks, California, USA(congestive heart failure)
  • Spouses
      Gloria Casas2004 - September 27, 2013 (his death)
  • Children
    • Jay Paul Robinson
  • Other works
    Stage: Appeared (Broadway debut) in "The Shop at Sly Corner" on Broadway.
  • Publicity listings
    • 1 Print Biography

Did you know

Edit
  • Trivia
    In 1958 he was arrested on a narcotics violation (possession of methadone). His conviction was overturned, but he later served 15 months in prison after unknowingly missing a date for retrial.
  • Trademarks
      Chilly but mellifluous voice, often used to menacing effect

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