- Cliff Robertson
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Cliff Robertson 
Cliff Robertson in 1965Born Clifford Parker Robertson III
September 9, 1923
La Jolla, California, U.S.Died September 10, 2011 (aged 88)
Stony Brook, New York, U.S.[1]Residence Water Mill, New York[2] Education La Jolla High School Alma mater Antioch College Occupation Actor Years active 1943–2007 Home town Boston, Massachusetts[3] Spouse Cynthia Stone (m. 1957–1959) (divorced); 1 child - daughter Stephanie Robertson (b. 1958)
Dina Merrill (m. 1966–1989) (divorced); 1 child - daughter Heather Merriweather Robertson (deceased 2007)Website cliffrobertson.info Clifford Parker "Cliff" Robertson III (September 9, 1923 – September 10, 2011) was an American actor with a film and television career that spanned half of a century. Robertson portrayed a young John F. Kennedy in the 1963 film PT 109, and won the 1968 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie Charly. On television, he portrayed retired astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the 1976 adaptation of Aldrin's autobiographic Return to Earth, played a fictional character based on Director of Central Intelligence Richard Helms in the 1977 adaptation of John Ehrlichman's Watergate novel The Company, and portrayed Henry Ford in the 1987 Ford: The Man and the Machine. His last well-known film appearances were in 2002 through 2007 as Uncle Ben in the Spider-Man film trilogy.
Contents
Early life
Robertson was born on September 9, 1923 in La Jolla, California,[4][5][3] the son of Clifford Parker Robertson, Jr. (1902-1968), and his first wife, the former Audrey Olga Willingham (1903-1925).[6][7] His Texas-born father was described as "the idle heir to a tidy sum of ranching money."[8] Robertson recalled that his father "was a very romantic figure—tall, handsome. He married four or five times, and between marriages he'd pop in to see me. He was a great raconteur, and he was always surrounded by sycophants who let him pick up the tab. During the Depression, he tapped the trust for $500,000, and six months later he was back for more."[9] The actor's parents divorced when he was one, and Robertson's mother died of peritonitis a year later in El Paso, Texas, at the age of 21.[3][10][11] He was raised by his maternal grandmother, Mary Eleanor "Eleanora" Willingham (née Sawyer, 1875-1957), in California, and he and his father rarely saw one another.[3][12][13] He graduated from La Jolla High School in 1941,[14] where he was known as "The Walking Phoenix." [15][why?] He then served in the merchant marine in World War II[3] before attending Antioch College in Ohio and dropping out to work as a journalist for a short time.[16][17]
Career
Robertson had a bit part in Mr. Roberts (1950) in Boston.
Feature films
Robertson was President John F. Kennedy's personal choice to play him in the 1963 PT 109 as a young Lieutenant (junior grade) PT boat captain. Kennedy chose Robertson over Edd "Kookie" Byrnes, Warren Beatty (Jacqueline Kennedy's choice), and Jeffrey Hunter.[18]
The next year, Robertson played a presidential candidate in The Best Man.
He won the 1968 Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of a mentally disabled man in Charly, an adaptation of the science fiction novel Flowers for Algernon.
Other films included Picnic (1955), Autumn Leaves (1956), Gidget (1959), Sunday in New York (1963), Devil's Brigade (1968), Too Late the Hero (1970), J. W. Coop (1972), Three Days of the Condor (1975), Obsession (1976), Star 80 (1983) and Malone (1987). Late in his life Robertson's career had a resurgence. He appeared as Uncle Ben Parker in the first movie adaptation of Spider-Man (2002), as well as in the sequels Spider-Man 2 (2004) and Spider-Man 3 (2007). He commented on his website: "Since Spider-Man 1 and 2, I seem to have a whole new generation of fans. That in itself is a fine residual."[19] He was also in the horror film Riding the Bullet (2004).
In 1989, he was a member of the jury at the 39th Berlin International Film Festival.[20]
Television
Robertson's early television appearances include a starring role in the live space opera Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers (1953–1954), as well as recurring roles on Hallmark Hall of Fame (1952), Alcoa Theatre (1959), and Playhouse 90 (1958, 1960), The Outlaws (three episodes as Chad Burns). Other appearances included The Twilight Zone episodes "A Hundred Yards Over the Rim" (1961) and "The Dummy" (1962) followed by guest starring roles in such series as the NBC medical drama about psychiatry The Eleventh Hour (1963) in the role of Jeff Dillon, "The Man Who Came Home Late". In 1958, he portrayed Joe Clay in the very first broadcast of Playhouse 90's Days of Wine and Roses, in what some critics[who?] cite as a superior version of this story about alcoholism. Other network appearances included The Greatest Show on Earth (1963) and ABC's Breaking Point (1964) and the ABC Stage 67 episode "The Trap of Gold" (1966).
He had starring roles in episodes of both the 1960s and 1990s versions of The Outer Limits. He was awarded an Emmy for his leading role in a 1965 episode from Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre entitled "The Game".
He appeared twice as a guest villain on Batman as the gunfighter "Shame" (1966 and 1968), the second time with his wife, Dina Merrill as "Calamity Jan".
In 1976, he portrayed a retired Buzz Aldrin in an adaptation of Aldrin's autobiography Return to Earth. The next year, he portrayed a fictional Director of Central Intelligence (based on Richard Helms) in Washington: Behind Closed Doors, an adaptation of John Ehrlichman's roman a clef The Company, in turn based on the Watergate scandal. In 1987, he portrayed Henry Ford in Ford: The Man and The Machine.
Later he appeared on Falcon Crest (1983–1984) as Dr. Michael Ranson.
In 1984, he narrated an AT&T promotional video documenting some of its technological improvements at the time. Robertson then became AT&T's national television spokesman for ten years, winning the Advertising Age award for best commercial. He was to be the keynote speaker at an AT&T stockholders' meeting during a strike by AT&T workers, but he refused to cross the picket line and did not speak.
In 2003, he appeared on the short-lived series The Lyon's Den.[citation needed]
Columbia Pictures scandal
In 1977, Robertson discovered that his signature had been forged on a $10,000 check payable to him, although it was for work he had not performed. He also learned that the forgery had been carried out by Columbia Pictures head David Begelman, and on reporting it he inadvertently triggered one of the biggest Hollywood scandals of the 1970s.[21] Robertson was subsequently blacklisted for several years before he finally returned to film in Brainstorm (1983).[17][22] The story of the scandal is told in David McClintick's 1982 bestseller Indecent Exposure.
Personal life
Cliff Robertson in 1981
In 1957, Robertson married actress Cynthia Stone, the former wife of actor Jack Lemmon. They had a daughter, Stephanie, before divorcing in 1959; by this marriage he also had a stepson, Chris Lemmon.
In 1966, he married actress and Post Cereals heiress Dina Merrill, the former wife of Stanley M. Rumbough, Jr.; they had a daughter, Heather (1969-2007), before divorcing in 1989.[3] By this marriage, he also had stepchildren Stanley Hutton Rumbough, David Post Rumbough, and Nedenia (Nina) Colgate Rumbough.
One of Robertson's main hobbies was flying and, among other aircraft, he owned several de Havilland Tiger Moths, a Messerschmitt Bf 108 and a genuine World War II era Mk.IX Supermarine Spitfire MK923.[23][24] He even entered balloon races, including one in 1964 from the mainland to Catalina Island that ended with him being rescued from the Pacific Ocean. A certified private pilot, Robertson was a longtime member of the Experimental Aircraft Association, working his way through the ranks in prominence and eventually co-founding the EAA's Young Eagles program, which he chaired from its 1992 inception to 1994 (succeeded by former test pilot Gen. Chuck Yeager).
Robertson was flying a private Beechcraft Baron directly over New York City on the morning of September 11, 2001. He was directly over the World Trade Center, climbing through 7,500 feet, when the first Boeing 767 struck. He was ordered by air traffic control to land immediately at the nearest airport following a nationwide order to ground all civilian and commercial aircraft following the attacks.[25]
Robertson received an award from Antioch College Alumni in 2007 for his contributions to his field of work. In addition to his Oscar and Emmy and several lifetime achievement awards from various film festivals, Robertson has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 6801 Hollywood Blvd. He was also awarded the 2008 Ambassador of Good Will Aviation Award by the National Transportation Safety Board Bar Association in Alexandria, Virginia, on May 18, 2008, for his leadership in and promotion of general aviation.
On September 10, 2011, Robertson died in Stony Brook, New York one day after his 88th birthday.[26]
Filmography
Year Film Role Notes 1943 Corvette K-225 uncredited We've Never Been Licked Adams (uncredited) 1956 Picnic Alan Benson Autumn Leaves Burt Hanson 1957 The Girl Most Likely Pete 1958 The Naked and the Dead Lieutenant Robert Hearn 1959 Gidget The Big Kahuna As the Sea Rages Clements Battle of the Coral Sea Lt. Cmdr. Jeff Conway 1961 The Big Show Josef Everard The Twilight Zone - A Hundred Yards Over the Rim Christian Horn All in a Night's Work Warren Kingsley, Jr. Underworld U.S.A. Tolly Devlin 1962 The Interns Dr. John Paul Otis The Dummy: The Twilight Zone: Episode 98 Ventriloquist[27] 1963 My Six Loves Reverend Jim Larkin PT 109 Lt. (j.g.) John F. Kennedy Sunday in New York Adam Tyler 1964 633 Squadron Wing Cmdr. Roy Grant The Best Man Joe Cantwell 1965 Up from the Beach Sgt. Edward Baxter Masquerade David Frazer Love Has Many Faces Pete Jordon 1967 The Honey Pot William McFly 1968 The Devil's Brigade Maj. Alan Crown Charly Charlie Gordon Academy Award for Best Actor
National Board of Review Award for Best Actor
Nominated — Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Drama1970 Too Late the Hero Lt. (j.g.) Sam Lawson 1972 J. W. Coop J. W. Coop The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid Cole Younger 1973 The Men Who Made the Movies: Alfred Hitchcock narrator Ace Eli and Rodger of the Skies Ace Eli Walford 1974 Man on a Swing Lee Tucker 1975 Out of Season Joe Tanner Entered into the 25th Berlin International Film Festival Three Days of the Condor J. Higgins 1976 Shoot Rex Midway Cmdr. Carl Jessop Obsession Michael Courtland Return to Earth Buzz Aldrin 1977 Fraternity Row Narrator Washington: Behind Closed Doors William Martin Adaptation of The Company; character based on Richard Helms 1979 The Little Prince
Martin the Cobbler
Rip Van Wynkle
The Diary of Adam and EveHost; The pilot (Little Prince) Package of Claymation shorts by Will Vinton 1980 Dominique David Ballard The Pilot Mike Hagan 1983 Brainstorm Alex Terson Falcon Crest Dr. Michael Ranson Season 3 Class Mr. Burroughs Star 80 Hugh Hefner 1985 Shaker Run Judd Pierson 1987 Malone Charles Delaney Ford: The Man and the Machine Henry Ford 1991 Wild Hearts Can't Be Broken Doctor Carver 1992 Wind Morgan Weld 1994 Renaissance Man Colonel James 1995 Pakten Ted Roth 1996 Escape from L.A. President 1998 Assignment Berlin Cliff Garret Melting Pot Jack Durman 1999 Family Tree Larry 2000 Falcon Down Buzz Thomas 2001 Mach 2 Vice President Pike 2002 13th Child Mr. Shroud Robertson was one of the writers of this film Spider-Man Ben Parker 2004 Spider-Man 2 Ben Parker Cameo Riding the Bullet Farmer 2007 Spider-Man 3 Ben Parker Cameo; Last film appearance References
- ^ http://news.yahoo.com/cliff-robertson-played-jfk-pt-109-dies-021234437.html
- ^ "Career Achievements". The Official Website of Cliff Robertson. http://www.cliffrobertson.info/career.htm. Retrieved October 15, 2011.
- ^ a b c d e f Keepnews, Peter (11 September 2011). "Cliff Robertson, Oscar-Winning Rebel, Dies at 88". The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/2011/09/11/movies/cliff-robertson-oscar-winning-rebel-dies-at-88.html. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ IMDb
- ^ California Births, 1905 - 1995 Familytreelegends.com
- ^ Several obituaries have stated that Robertson was adopted by his parents. However, the California Birth Index of 1905-1995 states that Clifford P. Robertson was born to a mother whose maiden name was Willingham, in Los Angeles County, California, on 9 September 1923.
- ^ Mother's birth and death information per records accessed on ancestry.com on 12 September 2011
- ^ Father's birthplace accessed on ancestry.com on 12 September 2011
- ^ [1]
- ^ People
- ^ Mother's death information per records accessed on ancestry.com on 12 September 2011
- ^ People
- ^ Grandmother's name and dates accessed on ancestry.com on 12 September 2011
- ^ Cliff Robertson profile at Film Reference.com
- ^ "Cliff Robertson/ Hollywood Walk of Fame". Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. http://www.walkoffame.com/cliff-robertson. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ Cliff Robertson.
- ^ a b Cliff Robertson Yahoo biography
- ^ http://www.villagevoice.com/news/0335,hoberman,46558,1.html
- ^ Cliff Robertson's Career Achievements. Access date: 14 November 2007.
- ^ "Berlinale: 1989 Juries". berlinale.de. http://www.berlinale.de/en/archiv/jahresarchive/1989/04_jury_1989/04_Jury_1989.html. Retrieved 2011-03-09.
- ^ "Cliff Robertson". Telegraph. 11 Sep 2011. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/film-obituaries/8756059/Cliff-Robertson.html.
- ^ David McClintick, Indecent Exposure: A True Story of Hollywood and Wall Street, William Morrow and Company, 1982.
- ^ Hall, Bob. Southeastern Antiquing and Collecting Magazine. Cliff Robertson Collects Vintage AircraftArticle on Robertson's private aviation collection. 2004.
- ^ First Cross-Country Soaring or (You Ain't John Wayne - Robertson)
- ^ Official Cliff Robertson site
- ^ "US film actor Cliff Robertson dies aged 88". BBC. BBC. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14869693. Retrieved 11 September 2011.
- ^ The Complete Definitive Collection Season 3, Disk 5
External links
- Official website
- Cliff Robertson at the Internet Movie Database
- Cliff Robertson at the Internet Broadway Database
- Cliff Robertson at Find a Grave
- Interview in the Archive of American Television
- Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre episode "The Game" at the Internet Movie Database
- Warbird Registry entry on MK923
Awards for Cliff Robertson Academy Award for Best Actor (1961–1980) Maximilian Schell (1961) · Gregory Peck (1962) · Sidney Poitier (1963) · Rex Harrison (1964) · Lee Marvin (1965) · Paul Scofield (1966) · Rod Steiger (1967) · Cliff Robertson (1968) · John Wayne (1969) · George C. Scott (1970) · Gene Hackman (1971) · Marlon Brando (1972) · Jack Lemmon (1973) · Art Carney (1974) · Jack Nicholson (1975) · Peter Finch (1976) · Richard Dreyfuss (1977) · Jon Voight (1978) · Dustin Hoffman (1979) · Robert De Niro (1980)
Complete list · (1928–1940) · (1941–1960) · (1961–1980) · (1981–2000) · (2001–2020) Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor – Miniseries or a Movie (1952–1975) Thomas Mitchell (1952) · Robert Cummings (1954) · Lloyd Nolan (1955) · Jack Palance (1956) · Peter Ustinov (1957) · Fred Astaire (1959) · Laurence Olivier (1960) · Maurice Evans (1961) · Peter Falk (1962) · Trevor Howard (1963) · Jack Klugman (1964) · Alfred Lunt (1965) · Cliff Robertson (1966) · Peter Ustinov (1967) · Melvyn Douglas (1968) · Paul Scofield (1969) · Peter Ustinov (1970) · George C. Scott (1971) · Keith Michell (1972) · Laurence Olivier (1973) · Anthony Murphy (1973) · Hal Holbrook (1974) · William Holden (1974) · Laurence Olivier (1975) · Peter Falk (1975)
Complete list · (1952–1975) · (1976–2000) · (2001–2025) Categories:- 1923 births
- 2011 deaths
- Actors from San Diego, California
- American film actors
- American stage actors
- American television actors
- Antioch College alumni
- Best Actor Academy Award winners
- Emmy Award winners
- Glider pilots
- Hollywood blacklist
- People from La Jolla, San Diego
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