- Joe Robinson
Joe Robinson is an English actor and stuntman born in
Newcastle-upon-Tyne on31 May 1927 . His brother is also a stuntman and actor,Doug Robinson . The Robinson's were a famous family of wrestlers, Joe's father and grandfather were world champions. Robinson initially embarked on a career in wrestling as 'Tiger Joe Robinson' and won theEuropean Heavyweight Championship in 1952.He was also interested in acting and studied at the
Royal Academy of Dramatic Art ; after injuring his back wrestling inParis he decided to concentrate on acting. Robinson's first role came in the keep-fit documentary "Fit as a Fiddle " and in the same year, 1952, he followed it up with a part as Harry 'Muscles' Green in the musical "Wish You Were Here" in the West End ofLondon .He made his film debut in 1955's "A Kid for Two Farthings", in which he wrestled
Primo Carnera . His film and television career really took off in the 1960s and in 1962 he appeared in British classicThe Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner alongside appearances in The Saint and The Avengers in 1963. With his younger brother Doug andHonor Blackman , he co-authoredHonor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence in 1965 (Joe was also ajudo champion and black belt atkarate ). During this time he was also a popular stunt-arranger, working on severalJames Bond movies and in 1960 was invited toRome where he appeared in five muscle-bound Italian epics. Other notable big-screen appearances include 1961'sCarry On Regardless , of the British institution the Carry Ons. According to the book "Tarzan of the Movies" byGabe Essoe , Robinson played the role ofTarzan in an obscure Italian-made film; the use of the Tarzan character, however, was unauthorized and the character's name had to be changed to Thaur before the film was allowed for public release. His final big-screen appearance in 1971's James Bond film "Diamonds Are Forever".He is now retired and living in
Brighton where he opened a martial arts centre. In 1998 he hit the headlines after fighting off a gang of eight muggers single-handedly. The 70 year old was getting off a bus inCape Town when the gang struck with baseball bats and knives. 6 ft 2 ins Joe poleaxed two with flying kicks, karate-chopped another in the chest and broke the arm of a fourth, while the rest fled.Reminiscing about his career in
The Daily Mail recently, Robinson spoke on the subject ofLaurence Olivier 's alleged homosexuality saying 'my kids used to play with his kids at school and I taught him judo ... I have no idea if he was a homosexual... but he did once tell me I had lovely shoulders.'External links
*imdb name|0732750
* [http://www.joe-robinson.007magazineonline.co.uk/ Joe Robinson Official Website]
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