Robby Stewart

Last updated

Robby Stewart
Hannah Montana character
Robby Stewart.jpg
Robby Ray Stewart as played by Billy Ray Cyrus.
First appearance"Lilly, Do You Want to Know a Secret?" (2006)
Last appearance"Wherever I Go" (2011)
Based on Jed Clampett
Portrayed by Billy Ray Cyrus
In-universe information
Full nameRobby Ray Stewart
GenderMale
OccupationSinger-songwriter
FamilyRuth Stewart (mother)
Bobby Ray Stewart (brother)
Earl Stewart (brother)
SpouseSusan Stewart (wife, deceased)
Children Jackson Stewart (son)
Miley Stewart (daughter)
RelativesPearl Stewart (sister-in-law)
Luann (niece)
Holly (niece)
Sam (nephew)
NationalityAmerican

Robby Ray Stewart is a fictional character from the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana , portrayed by Billy Ray Cyrus. Robby is the widowed single father of Jackson Stewart (Jason Earles) and Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus). He appears in all episodes in seasons 1 and 2, is absent for 3 episodes in season 3, and is absent for 1 episode in season 4. The character is based on Jed Clampett, the main character of The Beverly Hillbillies , even to the point of using Jed's famous catchphrase "Well doggies!"; the character’s name of “Robby Ray Stewart” is also a clear play on the portrayer’s real name.

Contents

Casting

Billy Ray Cyrus auditioned for the part along with two other actors. He was only asked to audition after his daughter Miley had been given the lead role. After he was offered the role, Billy Ray at first had reservations about accepting it, saying "The last thing I would want to do is screw up Miley's show." Miley admitted that it was "weird" at first having her real-life father play the role of her television dad, but later described the situation as "really good." [1]

Billy Ray provided much of the inspiration for the character which largely became a fictionalised version of himself.

Character biography

According to the Hannah Montana backstory, Robby was born on July 6, 1968[ citation needed ] and grew up in fictional Bufford County, Tennessee.[ citation needed ] He has a large family with eight brothers and sisters. [2] He has a twin brother named Bobby Ray (also played by Billy Ray Cyrus) and a brother named Earl who is seen in the episode (We're So Sorry) Uncle Earl , and often spoken of. His mother is Ruthie Ray Stewart (Vicki Lawrence), known to his children as "Mamaw." He has a close relationship with Dolly Parton who is the godmother of his two children; she is also the real-life godmother of Miley Cyrus, who plays the starring role of Miley Stewart a.k.a. Hannah Montana. [3] [4] [5]

In his early years, Robby, using the stage name "Robby Ray," was a successful country music singer-songwriter charting three number one hits and two top fives. He also won a music video of the year award [6] and an International Music Award for artist of the year. [7] He was also honored with a diamond on the Hollywood Parade of Diamonds (a parody of the Hollywood Walk of Fame) prestigiously located in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. [8] After his wife Susan (Brooke Shields) died (April 12, 1969[ citation needed ] December 27, 2002[ citation needed ]), he retired from his career to look after his two children. [6] Soon afterwards, he moved the family from Crowley Corners, Tennessee, to California where Miley became famous as Hannah Montana. [9] He then works as her manager, producer, [3] [10] and primary songwriter. On a few rare occasions, he also performs on stage with Hannah. [11] [12]

As Hannah's manager, Robby wears a fake moustache to hide his identity to keep Miley's secret and sometimes disguises his voice. This ruse, along with his sudden abandonment of his career, may have led one fan (Maddie Fitzpatrick's mother) to believe that he was dead. [6] However, this disguise is often ineffective at preventing his fans from recognizing him, and several times he even publicly identifies himself as Robby Ray, the father of Hannah Montana. [7] [11] [13] To those who are unfamiliar with his previous career, he is known simply as Mr. Montana. It seems that both aliases effectively conceal his identity as Mr. Stewart.

In Hannah Montana: The Movie , he temporarily moves the family back to Tennessee. There he meets a woman named Lorelai (Melora Hardin) who becomes his love interest. He had previously dated real estate agent Margo Diamond and Lilly Truscott's mother Heather (Heather Locklear) in California.

Similarity to Billy Ray Cyrus

Billy Ray Cyrus inspired many aspects of the Robby Ray Stewart character. Both men are country musicians from Tennessee and share a middle name. Cyrus's real-life relationship with then-teenage daughter Miley Cyrus was similar to Robby's relationship with the character of Miley Stewart in the show. Miley Cyrus has said in interviews that the show's writers received inspiration for the show by listening to her and her father talking. [14] Also, the depiction of Robby Ray as a has-been country star is meant to poke fun at Cyrus's own music career, which by some was labeled a one hit wonder before the popularity of Hannah Montana. The character’s name is also a pun on Cyrus's real name.

Song nameOther information
Stand
I Want My Mullet Back
Ready Set Go(with Miley Cyrus)
Butterfly Fly AwayMovie Only (Used for the soundtrack)
Back To TennesseeMovie Only

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Billy Ray Cyrus</span> American country singer and actor (born 1961)

Billy Ray Cyrus is an American country singer, songwriter and actor. Having released 16 studio albums and 53 singles since 1992, he is known for his hit single "Achy Breaky Heart", which topped the U.S. Hot Country Songs chart and became the first single ever to achieve triple platinum status in Australia. It was also the best-selling single in the same country in 1992. Due to the song's music video, the line dance rose in popularity.

<i>Hannah Montana</i> American teen sitcom

Hannah Montana is an American teen sitcom created by Michael Poryes, Rich Correll, and Barry O'Brien that aired on Disney Channel for four seasons between March 2006 and January 2011. The series centers on Miley Stewart, a teenage girl living a double life as famous pop singer Hannah Montana, an alter ego she adopted so she could maintain her anonymity and live a normal life as a typical teenager. Episodes deal with Miley's everyday struggles to cope with the social and personal issues of adolescence while maintaining the added complexities of her secret identity, which she sustains by wearing a blonde wig. Miley has strong relationships with her brother Jackson and father Robby Ray, as well as her best friends Lilly Truscott and Oliver Oken, who become aware of her secret. Overarching themes include a focus on family and friendships as well as the importance of music and discovering one's identity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miley Stewart</span> Fictional character from the television series Hannah Montana

Miley Ray Stewart is a fictional character and central protagonist of the Disney Channel television series Hannah Montana, portrayed by Miley Cyrus. She first appeared on television in the pilot episode "Lilly, Do You Want to Know a Secret?" on March 24, 2006, and made her last appearance on the series finale "Wherever I Go" on January 16, 2011. The character also appeared in the 2009 feature film Hannah Montana: The Movie. Miley is a normal teenage girl who, as her alter ego Hannah Montana, secretly leads a double life as a world-famous pop star.

"Lilly, Do You Want to Know a Secret?" is the first episode of the Disney Channel sitcom series Hannah Montana. It was written by Gary Dontzig, Steven Peterman, and Michael Poryes. It originally aired on March 24, 2006. The episode title is a reference to The Beatles song "Do You Want to Know a Secret?".

"Me and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas" is the 42nd episode of the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, and features the Jonas Brothers as special guest stars. The episode was first aired after the premiere of the Disney Channel Original Movie High School Musical 2 and a sneak peek of the then new series Phineas and Ferb. The episode broke basic cable records with 10.8 million viewers and became basic cable's most watched series telecast ever. It is also the highest-rated episode of Hannah Montana ever.

<i>Hannah Montana: The Movie</i> 2009 film by Peter Chelsom

Hannah Montana: The Movie is a 2009 American teen musical comedy drama film based on the Disney Channel television series of the same name. The film is produced by Walt Disney Pictures. Directed by Peter Chelsom and written by Dan Berendsen, the film stars series regulars Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus, Emily Osment, Moises Arias, Mitchel Musso and Jason Earles, as well as Lucas Till, Vanessa Williams, Margo Martindale and Melora Hardin. The film tells of how Miley Stewart's popularity and alternate celebrity persona begins to take over her life, so her father convinces her to take a trip to her hometown of Crowley Corners, Tennessee to get some perspective on what matters most in life.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana</span> Crossover episode of three Disney Channel series

"That's So Suite Life of Hannah Montana" is a crossover episode of the Disney Channel sitcoms That's So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, and Hannah Montana. In the United States, it aired on July 28, 2006 as a three-part special and served as a TV movie. The three episodes of the crossover were watched by 5.7–7.1 million viewers.

<i>Hannah Montana</i> season 1 Season of television series

The first season of the television series Hannah Montana was aired on Disney Channel from March 24, 2006, to March 30, 2007, and included 26 episodes. It introduces the five main characters of the series and Miley Stewart's situation of living a secret double life as a teen pop star. The season also introduces several significant recurring characters such as Roxy Roker, Jake Ryan, and Rico Suave.

<i>Hannah Montana</i> season 2 Season of TV series

The second season of Hannah Montana aired on Disney Channel from April 23, 2007 to October 12, 2008. Production of the season began in November 2006, and ended in September 2007. During this season, Miley and Lilly fight more, Oliver gets an alibi to hang out with Hannah Montana, and Miley grows closer to Oliver.

"I Miss You" is a song by American recording artist, Miley Cyrus. It was co-written by Cyrus, Brian Green, Wendy Foy Green, and produced by Brian Green. "I Miss You" is an homage to Cyrus' late grandfather, Ron Cyrus, who died on February 28, 2006. He was diagnosed with mesothelioma, and, seeing her grandfather nearing death, Cyrus wanted to write him a song prior to his death. It was released on the dual disc Hannah Montana 2: Meet Miley Cyrus as the closing track of the second disc of Meet Miley Cyrus, which is Cyrus' debut studio album. The song is a ballad with rock and country influences.

"Back to Tennessee" is a country rock song by American singer-songwriter and actor Billy Ray Cyrus. It released as the second single from Cyrus' eleventh studio album of the same name on February 2, 2009 by Lyric Street Records. Cyrus drafted the song after learning that Hannah Montana: The Movie, a film he would star in, would be set in Tennessee. The song, developed with the aid of co-songwriters Tamara Dunn and Matthew Wilder, includes country rock elements while describing Cyrus' longing to return to the South, where he grew up, after spending several years in Los Angeles. "Back to Tennessee" was featured in both Hannah Montana: The Movie and its soundtrack.

"Butterfly Fly Away" is a 2009 duet performed by American actors and recording artists Miley Cyrus and Billy Ray Cyrus. The song was first heard in the 2009 film Hannah Montana: The Movie, in which both Cyruses star, and was subsequently released on the film's soundtrack. An extended version is featured on Billy Ray's eleventh studio album, Back to Tennessee. The song is a soft country ballad with lyrics that describe a child's transition to adulthood.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana</span> 2009 television film directed by Rich Correll and Victor Gonzalez

"Wizards on Deck with Hannah Montana" is a trilogy of crossover episodes between three Disney Channel original sitcoms which premiered in the United States on July 17, 2009. The crossover spanned across episodes of Wizards of Waverly Place, The Suite Life on Deck, and Hannah Montana. In the crossover, Max, Justin and Alex Russo join regulars from The Suite Life on Deck aboard the SS Tipton, and Cody Martin attempts to retrieve tickets for a Hannah Montana concert in Hawaii, while Miley Stewart, en route to the concert on the SS Tipton, loses her mother's lucky anklet – triggering a streak of bad luck.

<i>Hannah Montana</i> season 4 Season of television series

The fourth and final season of the television series Hannah Montana began airing on Disney Channel on July 11, 2010. In this season, Mitchel Musso's character Oliver Oken becomes a recurring character, and is no longer in the main cast due to Musso preparing for the Disney XD series Pair of Kings. This is the only season of the show to be broadcast in high-definition. The season ended on January 16, 2011.

<i>Hannah Montana Forever</i> (soundtrack) 2010 soundtrack album by Miley Cyrus

Hannah Montana Forever is the soundtrack album for the fourth and final season of the television series Hannah Montana, released on October 15, 2010 by Walt Disney Records. All eleven tracks are performed by its primary actress Miley Cyrus, and are credited to her character Hannah Montana. Recording artists Billy Ray Cyrus, Iyaz, and Sheryl Crow appear as featured vocalists. The soundtrack is primarily a pop record, which sees additional influences from teen pop, pop rock, power pop, dance-pop, and country pop musical styles.

"Wherever I Go" is the series finale of the Disney Channel sitcom series Hannah Montana. It was written by the show's executive producers, Michael Poryes and Steven Peterman. It originally aired on January 16, 2011, in the United States on the Disney Channel, and later aired in Canada on March 18, 2011, on the Family Channel. The episode title is a reference to the Hannah Montana song "Wherever I Go".

References

  1. Jacques Steinberg (April 20, 2006). "Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: A Tale of Two Tweens". The New York Times .
  2. "Money for Nothing, Guilt for Free". Hannah Montana. Season 1. Episode 19. November 26, 2006.
  3. 1 2 "Good Golly, Miss Dolly". Hannah Montana. Season 1. Episode 16. September 29, 2006.
  4. Adekaiyero, Ayomikun (February 16, 2023). "Miley Cyrus and her godmother Dolly Parton on their relationship". Insider. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  5. Fox, Courtney (December 1, 2022). "How Dolly Parton Became Miley Cyrus' Godmother". Wide Open Country. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  6. 1 2 3 "On the Road Again?". Hannah Montana. Season 1. Episode 12. July 28, 2006.
  7. 1 2 "I Will Always Loathe You". Hannah Montana. Season 2. Episode 20. December 7, 2007.
  8. "Hannah in the Streets with Diamonds". Hannah Montana. Season 2. Episode 25. June 20, 2008.
  9. "She's a Supersneak". Hannah Montana. Season 1. Episode 3. April 7, 2007.
  10. "Song Sung Bad". Hannah Montana. Season 2. Episode 15. August 4, 2007.
  11. 1 2 "Grandma Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Favorites". Hannah Montana. Season 1. Episode 6. April 28, 2006.
  12. "(We're So Sorry) Uncle Earl". Hannah Montana. Season 2. Episode 22. March 21, 2008.
  13. "Me and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas and Mr. Jonas". Hannah Montana. Season 2. Episode 16. August 17, 2007.
  14. Miley Cyrus (June 20, 2006). Live with Regis and Kelly (Interview). Interviewed by Jeff Gordon and Kelly Ripa.{{cite interview}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)