Charles Knox Robinson III (April 13, 1932 - July 22, 2006) was an American actor. Robinson appeared in nearly 50 films and TV shows over his career. His first film was Splendor in the Grass in the role of Johnny Masterson. He established the Torchlight Project together with his wife, Joan, which aided, empowered and enriched the lives of impoverished children in foreign countries. He was also a member of many organizations including: the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Actors' Equity Association, Playwrights/Dramatists Guild and the Academy of Magical Arts.

Biography

He was born on April 13, 1932, to Charles Knox Robinson II, playwright, and Geraldine O'Loughlin, painter in Orange, New Jersey. Siblings include Judith Kirby Robinson, actress, and Toni Stuart Robinson Thalenberg, former actress/academic. He was the cousin of actor Gerald S. O'Loughlin. His theatrical family opened his acting career at age three on Broadway.

A graduate of Lawrenceville School, he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and magna cum laude from Princeton University in 1954. He was an English major and had many campus activities, including serving as president of Triangle Club. After graduation, he served in the Army from 1958 to 1962 as an aide-de-camp to a general in the Pentagon, translator and speech writer, attaining the rank of first lieutenant. He also served as a French and Russian language interpreter for the 1984 Olympics.

He married Joan Calistri on May 7, 1960, in New York City.

Career

Robinson appeared in nearly 50 films and TV shows during his career; his first film was Splendor in the Grass in the small uncredited role of Johnny Masterson. Some of Robinson's other film appearances include Take Her, She's Mine, Dear Brigitte, Shenandoah, and The Singing Nun. Mr. Robinson's many TV credits include 77 Sunset Strip, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, The Alfred Hitchcock Hour, Bachelor Father, Laramie, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, Ben Casey, The Munsters, Mannix, The F.B.I., Emergency!, Cannon, Airwolf, Switch and Simon & Simon. On Broadway he performed in Tall Story, The Pleasure of His Company and The Good Soup. The first two plays would later become motion pictures (albeit without Mr. Robinson).

He was part of the great ensemble cast in Robert Wise 's 1966 film The Sand Pebbles. Robinson played Richard Crenna's second in command Ensign Bordelles aboard the fictional Navy gunboat, USS San Pablo, stationed in China. Robinson had a standout scene in which he had to lead his troops under guard of Chinese Nationalist soldiers back to the ship. As the sailors march, they are pummeled by vegetables thrown by the throngs of Chinese citizens.

He appeared in the 2001 Palm Canyon Theatre Productions Arsenic and Old Lace and The Man Who Came to Dinner. His lifelong entertainment career included his talents as an award-winning playwright, singer, songwriter, musician, linguist and magician. He and his wife, Joan, established the Torchlight Project, which had as its purpose aiding, empowering, and enriching the lives of impoverished and abandoned children in many foreign countries. He was a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Screen Actors Guild, American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, Actors' Equity Association, Playwrights/Dramatists Guild and the Academy of Magical Arts.

Death

Robinson died at his home on July 22, 2006, of Parkinson's disease. He was interred at Ocean View Cemetery in Staten Island, New York. He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan Calistri Robinson, in 2001.

[ Source: Wikipedia ]