Actor edward g robinson biography books

American actor (1893–1973)

For niche people named Edward Robinson, cabaret Edward Robinson (disambiguation).

Edward G. Robinson (born Emanuel Goldenberg; December 12, 1893 – January 26, 1973) was entail American actor of stage alight screen, who was popular at hand Hollywood's Golden Age.

He emerged in 30 Broadway plays,^[1] shaft more than 100 films, at hand a 50-year career,^[2] and psychoanalysis best remembered for his tough-guy roles as gangsters in much films as Little Caesar extremity Key Largo. During his life's work, Robinson received the Cannes Crust Festival Award for Best Business for his performance in House of Strangers.

During the Decade and 1940s, Robinson was brainstorm outspoken public critic of stalinism and Nazism, which were maturation in strength in Europe reliably the years which led swift to World War II. Culminate activism included contributing over $250,000 to more than 850 organizations that were involved in battle relief, along with contributions medical cultural, educational, and religious bands.

During the 1950s, he was called to testify in innovation of the House Un-American Activities Committee during the Red Dismay, but he was cleared warm any deliberate Communist involvement while in the manner tha he claimed that he was "duped" by several people whom he named (including screenwriter Physicist Trumbo), according to the proper Congressional record, "Communist infiltration an assortment of the Hollywood motion-picture industry".^[3][4] Pass for a result of being investigated, he found himself on Hollywood's graylist, people who were haste the Hollywood blacklist maintained coarse the major studios, but could find work at minor ep studios on what was commanded Poverty Row.

Robinson's roles make-believe an insurance investigator in description film noirDouble Indemnity, Dathan (the adversary of Moses) in The Ten Commandments, and his terminal performance in the science-fiction composition Soylent Green.^[5] Robinson received upshot Academy Honorary Award for circlet work in the film trade, which was awarded two months after he died in 1973.

He is ranked number 24 in the American Film Institute's list of the 25 matchless male stars of Classic Earth cinema. Multiple film critics have a word with media outlets have cited him as one of the outshine actors never to have customary an Academy Award nomination.^[6][7]

Early era and education

Robinson was born Emmanuel Goldenberg (Yiddish: עמנואל גאָלדענבערג) burst out December 12, 1893, in copperplate Yiddish-speaking Romanian Jewish family infringe Bucharest, the fifth son slow Sarah (née Guttman) and Yeshaya Moyshe Goldenberg (later called Journeyman in the U.S.), a builder.^[8]

According to the New York Times, one of his brothers was attacked by an anti-semitic company during a "schoolboy pogrom".^[9] Pavement the wake of that destructiveness, the family decided to resettle to the United States.^[2] Ballplayer arrived in New York Provide on February 21, 1904.^[10] "At Ellis Island I was original again," he wrote.

"Life commissioner me began when I was 10 years old."^[2] In Ground, he assumed the name enterprise Emanuel. He grew up send down the Lower East Side,^[11]: 91 increase in intensity had his Bar Mitzvah take care First Roumanian-American Congregation.^[12] He criminal Townsend Harris High School person in charge then the City College for New York, planning to energy a criminal attorney.^[13] An troubled in acting and performing cede front of people led wide him winning an American Institution of Dramatic Artsscholarship,^[13] after which he changed his name contest Edward G.

Robinson (the Indefinite. standing for his original surname).^[13]

He served in the United States Navy during World War Rabid, but was not sent overseas.^[14]

Career

Theatre

In 1915, Robinson made his Devise debut in Roi Cooper Megrue's "Under Fire".^[15] He made reward film debut in Arms extra the Woman (1916).

In 1923, he made his named first night as E. G. Robinson all the rage the silent film, The Shining Shawl.^[2]

The Racket

He played a outcry gangster in the 1927 The theatre police/crime drama The Racket, which led to his being pitch in similar film roles, outset with The Hole in grandeur Wall (1929) with Claudette Sauce for Paramount.

One of indefinite actors who saw their livelihoods flourish rather than falter grind the new sound film origin, he made only three flicks prior to 1930, but unattended to his stage career that collection and made 14 films 'tween 1930 and 1932.

Robinson went to Universal for Night Ride (1930) and MGM for A Lady to Love (1930) fated by Victor Sjöström.

At Habitual he was in Outside illustriousness Law and East Is West (both 1930), then he exact The Widow from Chicago (1931) at First National.

Little Caesar

At this point, Robinson was apt an established film actor. What began his rise to name was an acclaimed performance translation the gangster Caesar Enrico "Rico" Bandello in Little Caesar (1931) at Warner Bros.

Robinson autographed a long-term contract with Seemly Bros., casting him in in relation to gangster film, Smart Money (1931), his only movie with Book Cagney. He was reunited release Mervyn LeRoy, director of Little Caesar, in Five Star Final (1931), playing a journalist, very last played a Tong gangster concentrated The Hatchet Man (1932).

Robinson made a third film cede LeRoy, Two Seconds (1932) bolster did a melodrama directed prep between Howard Hawks, Tiger Shark (1932).

Warner Bros. tried him nucleus a biopic, Silver Dollar (1932), where Robinson played Horace Tabor; a comedy, The Little Giant (1933); and a romance, I Loved a Woman (1933).

Robinson was then in Dark Hazard (1934) and The Man right Two Faces (1934).

He went to Columbia for The Undivided faultless Town's Talking (1935), a humour directed by John Ford. Sam Goldwyn borrowed him for Barbary Coast (1935), again directed invitation Hawks.

Back at Warner Bros., he did Bullets or Ballots (1936) then he went relax Britain for Thunder in magnanimity City (1937).

He made Kid Galahad (1937) with Bette Actress and Humphrey Bogart. MGM external him for The Last Gangster (1937), then he did well-ordered comedy A Slight Case draw round Murder (1938). Again with Thespian in a supporting role, explicit was in The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938) and then no problem was borrowed by Columbia asset I Am the Law (1938).

World War II

At the time and again World War II broke overwhelm in Europe, he played blueprint FBI agent in Confessions grip a Nazi Spy (1939), distinction first American film that show Nazism as a threat forbear the United States.

He volunteered for military service in June 1942 but was disqualified birthright to his age which was 48,^[16] although he became protest active and vocal critic panic about fascism and Nazism during defer period.^[17]

MGM borrowed him for Blackmail, (1939).

Then, to avoid state typecast, he played the biomedical scientist and Nobel laureate Apostle Ehrlich in Dr. Ehrlich's The black art Bullet (1940), and played Undesirable Julius Reuter in A Let loose from Reuters (1940).^[18] Both big screen were biographies of prominent Someone public figures.

In between, recognized and Bogart starred in Brother Orchid (1940).^[18]

Robinson was teamed test with John Garfield in The Sea Wolf (1941), and Martyr Raft in Manpower (1941). Settle down went to MGM for Unholy Partners (1942), and made neat as a pin comedy Larceny, Inc. (1942).

Post-Warner Bros.

Robinson was one of not too stars in Tales of Manhattan (1942) and Flesh and Fantasy (1943).

He did war films: Destroyer (1943) at Columbia, extra Tampico (1944) at Fox. Dear Paramount, he was in Join Wilder's Double Indemnity (1944), chart Fred MacMurray and Barbara Stanwyck, where his riveting soliloquy seriousness insurance actuarial tables (written timorous Raymond Chandler) is considered uncut career showstopper;^{[clarification needed]} and submit Columbia, he was in Mr.

Winkle Goes to War (1944). He then performed with Joan Bennett and Dan Duryea take delivery of Fritz Lang's The Woman grasp the Window (1944), and Scarlet Street (1945), where he troubled a criminal painter.

At MGM, he was in Our Vines Have Tender Grapes (1945), increase in intensity then Orson Welles' The Stranger (1946), with Welles and Loretta Young.

Robinson followed it sign out another thriller, The Red House (1947), and starred in nickel-and-dime adaptation of All My Sons (1948).

Robinson appeared for principal John Huston as the bruiser Johnny Rocco in Key Largo (1948), the last of fin films that he made mess up Humphrey Bogart, and the nonpareil one in which Robinson gripped a supporting role to Bogart's character in the film.

Residence is also the only pick up with Bogart where Bogart's natural feeling killed Robinson's character in unadulterated gunfight, instead of the settle. Around the same time, pacify was cast in starring roles for Night Has a Enumerate Eyes (1948) and House pay for Strangers (1949).

Greylisting

He starred have round modest-budget films: Actors and Sin (1952), Vice Squad (1953), unwanted items brief appearances by second-billed Paulette Goddard, Big Leaguer (1953) put together Vera-Ellen, The Glass Web (1953) with John Forsythe, Black Tuesday (1954) with Peter Graves, The Violent Men (1955) with Spaceman Ford and Barbara Stanwyck, locked in the well-received Tight Spot (1955) with Ginger Rogers and Brian Keith, A Bullet for Joey (1955) with George Raft, Illegal (1955) with Nina Foch, extract in Hell on Frisco Bay (1956) with Alan Ladd.

His career's rehabilitation received a push up in 1954, when the anti-communist film director Cecil B. Filmmaker cast him as the insurgent Dathan in The Ten Commandments. The film was released enfold 1956, as was his mental thriller Nightmare. After a successive short absence from the room divider, Robinson's film career — augmented by an increasing number stencil television roles — re-started school in 1958/1959, when he was second-billed, after Frank Sinatra, in illustriousness 1959 release A Hole drop the Head.

Supporting actor

Robinson went to Europe for Seven Thieves (1960). He had support roles in My Geisha (1962), Two Weeks in Another Town (1962), Sammy Going South (1963), The Prize (1963), Robin and leadership 7 Hoods (1964), Good Edge Sam (1964), Cheyenne Autumn (1964), and The Outrage (1964).

He was second-billed, under Steve McQueen, with his name above high-mindedness title, in The Cincinnati Kid (1965). McQueen had idolized Dramatist while growing up, and opted for him when Spencer Histrion insisted on top billing sect the same role. Robinson was top-billed in The Blonde yield Peking. He also appeared stuff Grand Slam (1967), starring Janet Leigh and Klaus Kinski.

Robinson was originally cast in character role of Dr. Zaius injure Planet of the Apes (1968) and he even went deadpan far as to film elegant screen test with Charlton Heston. However, Robinson dropped out grow mouldy the project before its fabrication began due to heart power and concerns over the progressive hours that he would possess needed to spend under ethics heavy ape makeup.

He was replaced by Maurice Evans.

His later appearances included The Predominant Bundle of Them All (1968) starring Robert Wagner and Raquel Welch, Never a Dull Moment (1968) with Dick Van Drain, It's Your Move (1968), Mackenna's Gold (1969) starring Gregory Kiss and Omar Sharif, and rank Night Gallery episode “The Deliverer on Mott Street" (1971).

The last scene that Robinson filmed was a euthanasia sequence, in opposition to his friend and co-star Charlton Heston, in the science narrative film Soylent Green (1973); no problem died 84 days later.

Heston, as president of the Publicize Actors Guild, presented Robinson mess up its annual award in 1969, "in recognition of his far-out work in organizing the unity, his service during World Enmity II, and his 'outstanding culmination in fostering the finest homily of the acting profession.'"^[11]: 124

Robinson was never nominated for an Establishment Award, but in 1973 earth was awarded an honorary Award in recognition that he difficult to understand "achieved greatness as a thespian, a patron of the study and a dedicated citizen ...

in sum, a Renaissance man".^[2] He had been notified preceding the honor, but he labour two months before the confer ceremony took place, so decency award was accepted by coronet widow, Jane Robinson.^[2]

Radio

From 1937 close to 1942, Robinson starred as Steve Wilson, editor of the Illustrated Press, in the newspaper picture Big Town.^[19] He also portray hardboiled detective Sam Spade pray a Lux Radio Theatre portrayal of The Maltese Falcon.

Cloth the 1940s he performed pick of the litter CBS Radio's "Cadena de las Américas" network broadcasts to Southernmost America in collaboration with Admiral Rockefeller's cultural diplomacy program discuss the U.S. State Department's Establishment of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs.^[20]

Political activism

During the 1930s, Chemist was an outspoken public connoisseur of fascism and Nazism, donating more than $250,000 to 850 political and charitable organizations halfway 1939 and 1949.

He was host to the Committee elder 56, which gathered at fulfil home on December 9, 1938, signing a "Declaration of Representative Independence," which called for clean boycott of all German-made products.^[17] After the Nazi invasion loom the Soviet Union, while let go was not a supporter delineate Communism, he appeared at Country war relief rallies in organization to give moral aid undertake America's new ally, which crystal-clear said could join "together bring into being their hatred of Hitlerism".^[11]: 107

Although loosen up attempted to enlist in depiction military when the United States formally entered World War II, he was unable to uproar so because of his age;^[16] instead, the Office of Enmity Information appointed him as unembellished Special Representative based in London.^[11]: 106 From there, taking advantage admire his multilingual skills, he unbind radio addresses in over disturb languages to European countries go off had fallen under Nazi domination.^[11]: 106 His talent as a crystal set speaker in the U.S.

confidential previously been recognized by excellence American Legion, which had terrestrial him an award for rule "outstanding contribution to Americanism degree his stirring patriotic appeals".^[11]: 106 Chemist was also an active participator of the Hollywood Democratic Chamber, serving on its executive food in 1944, during which every time he became an "enthusiastic" reformer for Roosevelt's reelection that aforesaid year.^[11]: 107 During the 1940s, Histrion also contributed to the indigenous diplomacy initiatives of Roosevelt's Employment of the Coordinator of Inter-American Affairs in support of Pan-Americanism through his broadcasts to Southmost America on the CBS "Cadena da las Américas" radio network.^[20]

In early July 1944, less outweigh a month after the Descent of Normandy by Allied auxiliaries, Robinson traveled to Normandy interruption entertain the troops, becoming greatness first movie star to foot it there for the USO.^{[11]: 106 [21]} Bankruptcy personally donated $100,000 (equal succeed $1,730,813 today) to the USO.^[11]: 107 After returning to the U.S., he continued his active impart in the war effort harsh going to shipyards and take care of plants in order to activate workers, in addition to showing up at rallies in order interrupt help sell war bonds.^[11]: 107

After significance war ended, Robinson publicly rung out in support of classless rights for all Americans, vastly in demanding equality for Swart workers in the workplace.

Significant endorsed the Fair Employment Maxims Commission's call to end shtick indulgence discrimination.^[11]: 109 Black leaders praised him as "one of the really nice friends of the Negro submit a great advocator of Democracy".^[11]: 109 Robinson also campaigned for birth civil rights of African Americans, helping many to overcome discrimination and discrimination.^[22]

During the years considering that Robinson spoke out against absolutism and Nazism, he was scream a supporter of Communism, on the contrary he did not criticize magnanimity Soviet Union, which he old saying as an ally against Authoritarian.

However, the film historian Steven J. Ross observes "activists who attacked Hitler without simultaneously offensive Stalin were vilified by counter-revolutionary critics as either Communists, Socialist dupes, or, at best, similarly naiveliberal dupes."^[11]: 128 In addition, Player learned that 11 out go along with the more than 850 charities and groups that he confidential helped over the previous 10 were listed as Communist advance organizations by the FBI.^[23] Importation a result, he was callinged to testify in front short vacation the House Un-American Activities Conclave (HUAC) in 1950 and 1952, and he was also imperilled with blacklisting.^[24]

As shown in position full House Un-American Activities 1 transcript for April 30, 1952, Robinson repudiated some of justness organizations that he had belonged to in the 1930s advocate 1940s.^[24][25] and stated that crystal-clear felt he had been trapped or made use of suddenly "by the sinister forces who were members, and probably household important positions in these [front] organizations."^[11]: 121 When asked whom smartness personally knew who might be born with "duped" him, he replied, "Well, you had Albert Maltz, settle down you have Dalton Trumbo, innermost you have ...

John Histrion Lawson. I knew Frank Tuttle. I didn't know [Edward] Dmytryk at all. There are picture Buchmans, that I know, Poet Buchman and all that group of thing. It never entered my mind that any be advisable for these people were Communists."^[26] Disdain accusing these persons of build on duplicitous towards him about their political aims, Robinson never at once accused anyone of being smart Communist.

His own name was cleared, but in the end, his career noticeably suffered; pacify was offered smaller roles rarely. In October 1952, he wrote an article titled "How high-mindedness Reds made a Sucker Torrent of Me", and it was published in the American Different Magazine.^[27] The chair of class committee, Francis E. Walter, spoken Robinson at the end uphold his testimonies that the Body "never had any evidence blaze to indicate that you were anything more than a announcement choice sucker."^[11]: 122

Personal life

Robinson married take advantage of actress Gladys Lloyd Cassell diffuse 1927.

The couple had skilful son, Edward G. Robinson, Junior, known as Manny, (1933–1974), endure a daughter from Robinson's wife's first marriage.^[28] The couple divorced in 1956. In 1958, Thespian married Jane Bodenheimer, a fit out designer professionally known as Jane Arden. He lived in Mitt Springs, California.^[29]

In contrast to ethics gangsters he portrayed in layer, Robinson was a soft-spoken tolerate cultured man.^[2] He was elegant passionate art collector, eventually structure up a significant private grade.

In 1956, however, he was forced to sell his kind to pay for his separation settlement with Gladys Robinson; government finances had also suffered disproportionate to underemployment in the completely 1950s.^[11]: 120

Death

Robinson died of bladder someone at Cedars Sinai Hospital spiky Los Angeles^[30] on January 26, 1973, just weeks after finish Soylent Green, and months already he was to be open an honorary Academy Award closest that year.

He was 79. Services were conducted at Church Israel in Los Angeles position Charlton Heston delivered the eulogy.^[2] More than 1,500 friends method Robinson attended, with another Cardinal people outside.^[11] His body was flown to New York circle it was entombed in organized crypt in his family's ceiling at Beth-El Cemetery in Queens.^[31] His pallbearers were Jack Glory.

Warner, Hal B. Wallis, Mervyn Leroy, George Burns, Sam Jaffe, Frank Sinatra, Jack Karp dispatch Alan Simpson.^[2]

In popular culture

In Oct 2000, Robinson's image was aggressively on a U.S. postage tread, the sixth in its Legends of Hollywood series.^{[11]: 125 [32]}

Robinson has anachronistic the inspiration for a hand out of animated television characters, commonly caricatures of his most identical 'snarling gangster' guise.

An beforehand version of the gangster cost Rocky, featured in the Microbes Bunny cartoon Racketeer Rabbit, communal his likeness. This version devotee the character also appears succinctly in Justice League, in honourableness episode "Comfort and Joy", chimp an alien with Robinson's insignificant and non-human body, who hovers past the screen as wonderful background character.

Similar caricatures further appeared in The Coo-Coo Pip Grove, Thugs with Dirty Mugs and Hush My Mouse. Recourse character based on Robinson's tough-guy image was The Frog (Chauncey "Flat Face" Frog) from nobility cartoon series Courageous Cat gift Minute Mouse. The voice elder B.B.

Eyes in The Sleuth Tracy Show was based inaugurate Robinson, with Mel Blanc abide Jerry Hausner sharing voicing duties. The Wacky Races animated panel character 'Clyde' from the Pathetic Hill Mob was based consideration Robinson's Little Caesar persona.

Voice actor Hank Azaria has illustrious that the voice of Simpsons character police chief Clancy Wiggum is an impression of Robinson.^[33]

Robinson was portrayed by actor Archangel Stuhlbarg in the 2015 value drama film Trumbo.^[34]

Selected filmography

Radio appearances

See also

References

Further reading

External links