Tim Robbins

Last updated

Tim Robbins
Tim Robbins (Berlin Film Festival 2013).jpg
Robbins at the Berlin Film Festival 2013
Born
Timothy Francis Robbins

(1958-10-16) October 16, 1958 (age 65)
West Covina, California, U.S.
Education University of California, Los Angeles (BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
Years active1982–present
Works Full list
Spouse
​
​
(m. 2017;div. 2022)​
Partner Susan Sarandon (1988–2009)
Children2, including Miles Robbins
Awards Full list
Tim Robbins's voice
from the BBC program Front Row , September 2, 2010. [1]
Website timrobbins.net

Timothy Francis Robbins (born October 16, 1958) [2] is an American actor, director, and producer. He is best known for portraying Andy Dufresne in the film The Shawshank Redemption (1994), and Jacob Singer in Jacob's Ladder (1990), as well as winning an Academy Award and Golden Globe award for his role in Mystic River (2003) and another Golden Globe for The Player (1992).

Contents

Robbins's other roles include starring as Lt. Samuel "Merlin" Wells in Top Gun (1986), Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Durham (1988), Erik in Erik the Viking (1989), Ed Walters in I.Q. (1994), Nick Beam in Nothing to Lose (1997) and Senator Robert Hammond in Green Lantern (2011). He also directed the films Bob Roberts (1992) and Dead Man Walking (1995), both of which were well received. He received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for Dead Man Walking.

On television, Robbins played Secretary of State Walter Larson in the HBO comedy The Brink (2015), and in Here and Now (2018) portrayed Greg Boatwright. In 2023, he starred as Bernard Holland in the Apple TV+ series Silo .

Early life

Robbins was born in West Covina, California, and raised in New York City. His parents were Mary Cecelia (née Bledsoe), a musician, [3] and Gilbert Lee Robbins, [4] a singer, actor, and manager of The Gaslight Cafe. [5] [6] [7] Robbins has two sisters, Adele and Gabrielle, and a brother, composer David Robbins. He was raised Catholic. [8] [9]

Robbins moved to Greenwich Village with his family at a young age while his father pursued a career as a member of a folk music group called The Highwaymen. Robbins started performing in theater at age twelve and joined the drama club at Stuyvesant High School (Class of 1976). [10] He spent two years at SUNY Plattsburgh and then returned to California to study at the UCLA Film School, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama in 1981. [11] [12]

Career

Robbins's acting career began at Theater for the New City, where he spent his teenage years in their Annual Summer Street Theater and also played the title role in a musical adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince . After graduation from college in 1981, Robbins founded the Actors' Gang, an experimental theater group, in Los Angeles with actor friends from his college softball team, as well as John Cusack.

In 1982, he appeared as domestic terrorist Andrew Reinhardt in three episodes of the television program St. Elsewhere . He had a small role in the film No Small Affair (1984), starring Demi Moore. In 1985, he guest-starred in the second episode of the television series Moonlighting , "Gunfight at the So-So Corral". He also took parts in films, such as the role of frat animal "Mother" in Fraternity Vacation (1985) and Lt Sam "Merlin" Wells in the fighter pilot film Top Gun (1986). He appeared on The Love Boat , as a young version of one of the characters in retrospection about the Second World War. His breakthrough role was as pitcher Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh in the baseball film Bull Durham (1988), in which he co-starred with Susan Sarandon and Kevin Costner.[ citation needed ]

Robbins's amoral film executive in Robert Altman's film The Player (1992) was described by Peter Travers in Rolling Stone as "a classic performance, mining every comic and lethal nuance in the role of his career". [13] He won the Best Actor Award at Cannes. He made his directorial and screenwriting debut with Bob Roberts (also 1992), a mockumentary about a right-wing senatorial candidate. Todd McCarthy in Variety commented that the film is "both a stimulating social satire and, for thinking people, a depressing commentary on the devolution of the American political system". [14] Robbins then starred alongside Morgan Freeman in The Shawshank Redemption (1994), which was based on Stephen King's novella. [15]

Tim Robbins at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival TimRobbins08TIFF.jpg
Tim Robbins at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

Robbins has written, produced, and directed several films with strong social content, such as the capital punishment saga Dead Man Walking (1995), starring Sarandon and Sean Penn. The film earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Director. According to Roger Ebert in early 1996: "With this film he leaps far beyond" Bob Roberts "and has made that rare thing, a film that is an exercise of philosophy. This is the kind of movie that spoils us for other films, because it reveals so starkly how most movies fall into conventional routine, and lull us with the reassurance that they will not look too hard, or probe too deeply, or make us think beyond the boundaries of what is comfortable". [16]

His next directorial effort was Depression-era musical Cradle Will Rock (1999). Robbins has also appeared in mainstream Hollywood thrillers, such as Arlington Road (also 1999) as a suspected terrorist and Antitrust (2001) as a malicious computer tycoon, and in comical films such as The Hudsucker Proxy (1994), Nothing to Lose (1997), and High Fidelity (2000). Robbins has also acted in and directed several Actors' Gang theater productions.

Robbins won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and the SAG Award for his work in Mystic River (2003), as a man traumatized from having been molested as a child. He followed his Oscar-win with roles as a temporarily blind man who is nursed to health by a psychologically wounded young woman in The Secret Life of Words (2005) and an apartheid torturer in Catch a Fire (2006). As of 2006, he was the tallest Academy Award-winning actor at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m). [17]

In early 2006, Robbins directed [18] an adaptation of George Orwell's novel 1984 , written by Michael Gene Sullivan [19] of the Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe. The production opened at Actors' Gang, at their new location at The Ivy Substation in Culver City, California. In addition to venues around the United States, it has played in Athens, Greece, the Melbourne International Festival in Australia and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. Robbins was soon considering a film adaptation. [20]

Robbins appeared in The Lucky Ones , with co-star Rachel McAdams as well as City of Ember (both 2008). Robbins next film role was as Senator Hammond, the disapproving father of the film's villain Hector Hammond, in the superhero film Green Lantern (2011). [21]

Robbins at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival TimRobbinsTIFFSept2012.jpg
Robbins at the 2012 Toronto International Film Festival

Robbins released the album Tim Robbins & The Rogues Gallery Band (2010), a collection of songs written over the course of 25 years that he ultimately took on a world tour. He was originally offered the chance to record an album in 1992 after the success of his film Bob Roberts , but he declined because he had "too much respect for the process", having seen his father work so hard as a musician, and because he felt he had nothing to say at the time. [22]

Robbins directed two episodes of the HBO series Treme. The series follows the interconnected lives of a group of New Orleanians in the wake of Hurricane Katrina. He helmed the episodes "Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky" in Season 2 (2011) and "Promised Land" in Season 3 (2012).[ citation needed ] Robbins became interested in the show while staying in New Orleans during the filming of Green Lantern. "I had the unique experience of watching Treme with locals. It resonated for me immediately, and it resonated for them as well, because they have seen their town get misinterpreted and represented in ridiculous ways," he told The Times-Picayune in 2011. "Something about this show was different for them. I appreciated that. I loved the writing and the actors. I loved the environment it's set in. I watched the whole first season in New Orleans, and got in touch with David Simon and said, 'If you guys need a director next year, I'd be happy to do an episode.'" [23]

In 2013, he was a member of the jury at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival. [24]

Personal life

In 1988, Robbins began a relationship with actress Susan Sarandon, whom he met on the set of Bull Durham . They have two sons: John "Jack" Henry (b. May 15, 1989) and Miles Robbins (b. May 4, 1992). Sarandon, like Robbins, is a lapsed Catholic, [25] and they share leftist political views. Robbins' relationship with Sarandon ended in December 2009. [26]

Robbins married Gratiela Brancusi on February 1, 2017. They split on July 1, 2020. News of the marriage was kept private [27] [28] until Robbins filed for divorce in January 2021. [29] The divorce was finalized in 2022. [30]

Political views

Robbins supported Ralph Nader's 2000 presidential campaign and appeared on stage in character as Bob Roberts during the "Nader Rocks the Garden" rally at Madison Square Garden. [31] In December 2007, Robbins campaigned for Senator John Edwards in the 2008 U.S. presidential election. [32] He made critical statements against Hillary Clinton and the Democratic Leadership Council while introducing Bernie Sanders at a 2016 campaign stop. [33]

Robbins opposed the 2003 invasion of Iraq. In 2003, a 15th anniversary celebration of Bull Durham at the National Baseball Hall of Fame was canceled by Hall of Fame President Dale Petroskey. Petroskey told Robbins that his stance helped to "undermine the U.S. position, which could put our troops in even more danger." [34] Durham co-star Kevin Costner defended Robbins and Sarandon: "I think Tim and Susan's courage is the type of courage that makes our democracy work. Pulling back this invite is against the whole principle about what we fight for and profess to be about." [34]

In 2023, Robbins criticized COVID-19 lockdowns, arguing they undermined freedom of speech and freedom of assembly. Robbins added that his villainous character in the television series Silo , a "leader who crushes any dissent or protest with swift violence", was inspired by pro-lockdown politicians. [35]

Filmography

Awards and nominations

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Sarandon</span> American actor

Christopher Sarandon is an American actor. He is well known for playing a variety of iconic characters, including Jerry Dandrige in Fright Night (1985), Prince Humperdinck in The Princess Bride (1987), Detective Mike Norris in Child's Play (1988), and Jack Skellington in The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993). He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his performance as Leon Shermer in Dog Day Afternoon (1975).

<i>The Shawshank Redemption</i> 1994 American film by Frank Darabont

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American prison drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The film tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne, who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. Over the following two decades, he befriends a fellow prisoner, contraband smuggler Ellis "Red" Redding, and becomes instrumental in a money laundering operation led by the prison warden Samuel Norton. William Sadler, Clancy Brown, Gil Bellows, and James Whitmore appear in supporting roles.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Susan Sarandon</span> American actor (born 1946)

Susan Abigail Sarandon is an American actor. She is the recipient of various accolades, including an Academy Award, a British Academy Film Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award, in addition to nominations for a Daytime Emmy Award, six Primetime Emmy Awards, and nine Golden Globe Awards. In 2002, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Goodman</span> American actor

John Stephen Goodman is an American actor. He rose to prominence in television before becoming an acclaimed and popular film actor. Goodman has received numerous accolades including a Primetime Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He received a Disney Legend Award in 2013. Vanity Fair has called him "among our very finest actors."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tom Poston</span> American actor (1921–2007)

Thomas Gordon Poston was an American actor, appearing in television roles from the 1950s through the early to mid-2000s, reportedly appearing in more sitcoms than any other actor. In the 1980s, he played George Utley on the CBS sitcom Newhart, receiving three Emmy Award nominations for the role. In addition he had a number of film roles and appeared frequently on Broadway and television game shows.

<i>Bull Durham</i> 1988 US romantic sports comedy movie by Ron Shelton

Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy sports film. It is partly based upon the minor-league baseball experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham Bulls, a minor-league baseball team in Durham, North Carolina.

<i>Bob Roberts</i> 1992 film by Tim Robbins

Bob Roberts is a 1992 American satirical mockumentary film written, directed by, and starring Tim Robbins. It depicts the rise of Robert "Bob" Roberts Jr., a right-wing politician who is a candidate for an upcoming United States Senate election. Roberts is well financed, due mainly to past business dealings, and is well known for his folk music, which presents conservative ideas with gusto.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Frank Darabont</span> American filmmaker

Frank Árpád Darabont is an American screenwriter, director and producer. He has been nominated for three Academy Awards and a Golden Globe Award. In his early career, he was primarily a screenwriter for such horror films as A Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors (1987), The Blob (1988) and The Fly II (1989). As a director, he is known for his film adaptations of Stephen King novellas and novels, such as The Shawshank Redemption (1994), The Green Mile (1999), and The Mist (2007).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bob Gunton</span> American film, television, and theatre actor

Bob Gunton is an American character actor of stage and screen. He is known for playing strict authoritarian characters, including Warden Samuel Norton in the 1994 prison drama The Shawshank Redemption, Chief George Earle in 1993's Demolition Man, Dr. Walcott, the domineering dean of Virginia Medical School in Patch Adams, and Secretary of State Cyrus Vance in Argo. He also played Leland Owlsley in the Daredevil television series, Secretary of Defense Ethan Kanin in 24, and Noah Taylor in Desperate Housewives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ray Wise</span> American actor (born 1947)

Raymond Herbert Wise is an American actor best known for his role as Leland Palmer in Twin Peaks and its prequel film Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me (1992). He has appeared in films such as Swamp Thing (1982), The Journey of Natty Gann (1985), RoboCop (1987), Bob Roberts (1992), Jeepers Creepers 2 (2003), Good Night, and Good Luck (2005), X-Men: First Class (2011) and God's Not Dead 2 (2016).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jeffrey DeMunn</span> American actor (born 1947)

Jeffrey P. DeMunn is an American stage, film and television actor known for playing Captain Esteridge in The Hitcher (1986), Sheriff Herb Geller in The Blob (1988), Andrei Chikatilo in Citizen X (1995), Harry Terwilliger in The Green Mile (1999), Ernie Cole in The Majestic (2001), Dan Miller in The Mist (2007), Dale Horvath in The Walking Dead (2010–2012), and Charles Rhoades Sr. in Billions (2016–2023).

Bill Bolender is an American character actor and artist, mainly known for small appearances in RoboCop 2, JFK, Reality Bites, The Shawshank Redemption, Nixon and Dante's Peak.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clarke Peters</span> American actor, writer, and director (born 1952)

Peter Clarke, known professionally as Clarke Peters, is an American-British actor, writer, and director. He is best known for his roles as Lester Freamon in the television series The Wire (2002–2008) and Albert Lambreaux in the television series Treme (2010–2013).

<i>Dead Man Walking</i> (film) 1995 British film

Dead Man Walking is a 1995 American crime drama film starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn, and co-produced and directed by Tim Robbins, who adapted the screenplay from the 1993 non-fiction book of the same name.

The 58th New York Film Critics Circle Awards honored the best filmmaking of 1992. The winners were announced on 17 December 1992 and the awards were given on 17 January 1993.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ned Bellamy</span> American actor

Ned Bellamy is an American actor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Sadler (actor)</span> American actor (born 1950)

William Thomas Sadler is an American stage, film, and television actor. His television and motion picture roles have included Chesty Puller in The Pacific, Luther Sloan in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, Sheriff Jim Valenti in Roswell, convict Heywood in The Shawshank Redemption, Senator Vernon Trent in Hard to Kill, Death in Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey and Bill & Ted Face the Music, and Colonel Stuart in Die Hard 2. He played Matthew Ellis in Iron Man 3, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and WHIH Newsfront. He also recurs as John McGarrett in the 2010 remake of the 1968 television series Hawaii Five-O, and the Boston boxing promoter and suspected drug dealer Gino Fish in the Jesse Stone television film series, opposite Tom Selleck. He also played Don in the 1992 movie Trespass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tim Robbins filmography</span>

American actor and filmmaker Tim Robbins started his acting career in 1982 with a few episodes on the medical drama series St. Elsewhere. His film debut was in the 1984 action film Toy Soldiers. He had minor roles in Fraternity Vacation (1985) and Top Gun (1986) before co-starring in the 1988 romantic comedy sports film Bull Durham with Kevin Costner. He went on to star in the films Erik the Viking with Mickey Rooney (1989), Jacob's Ladder with Elizabeth Peña (1990), Cadillac Man with Robin Williams, and The Player with Greta Scacchi (1992). In 1994, he portrayed Andy Dufresne in The Shawshank Redemption with Morgan Freeman. To prepare for his role, he spent time in solitary confinement. He also appeared in the 2000 comedy film High Fidelity with John Cusack. In 2003, he co-starred in Clint Eastwood's neo-noir crime drama film Mystic River with Sean Penn. For that role, he won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture.

Miles Guthrie Tomalin Robbins is an American actor.

Grațiela Brâncuși is a Romanian actress, based in the United States. She is known for her debut role as Noemi in the Paramount+ limited-run series 1883 (2021–2022) and Mayor of Kingstown (2023).

References

  1. ↑ "Tim Robbins". Front Row. September 2, 2010. BBC Radio 4 . Retrieved January 18, 2014.
  2. ↑ Jason Ankeny (2008). "Tim Robbins". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on March 29, 2008. Retrieved August 14, 2010.
  3. ↑ "Tim Robbins' Mother, Musician Mary Robbins, Dies Days After Her Husband". The Hollywood Reporter. April 19, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2021.
  4. ↑ Grimes, William (April 9, 2011). "Gil Robbins, Folk Musician, Dies at 80". The New York Times.
  5. ↑ "Folk singer Gil Robbins dies at 80". CBC News . April 11, 2011. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
  6. ↑ "Tim Robbins Biography" . Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  7. ↑ "Ancestry of Tim Robbins" . Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  8. ↑ Rose, Charlie (February 8, 1996). "Tim Robbins Interview". PBS . Retrieved May 9, 2010.: (Commentary with Tim Robbins saying; "Yes. We, we met. And I was raised a Catholic, so I have a whole other perception of nuns than, than the one that Sister Helen gave me.")
  9. ↑ Wattenberg, Daniel (March 19, 2001). "No Nukes — how director Tim Robbins incorporates conspiracy into plots of his films". National Review . Archived from the original on November 26, 2004.
  10. ↑ "Inside the Actors Studio — Guests — Tim Robbins". Bravo. December 5, 1999. Archived from the original on August 4, 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  11. ↑ Jason Ankeny (2008). "Tim Robbins". Movies & TV Dept. The New York Times . Archived from the original on March 29, 2008. Retrieved August 23, 2009.
  12. ↑ "Notable Alumni Actors". UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  13. ↑ "Tim Robbins' Roles to Remember". Variety. October 8, 2008. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  14. ↑ McCarthy, Todd (May 13, 1992). "Bob Roberts". Variety. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  15. ↑ Sharf, Zack (November 20, 2014). "'Shawshank' Secrets Revealed: Frank Darabont, Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman Reveal All at 20th Anniversary Screening | IndieWire". www.indiewire.com. Retrieved September 7, 2017.
  16. ↑ Ebert, Roger (January 12, 1996). "Reviews: Dead Man Walking". rogerebert. Retrieved May 19, 2019.
  17. ↑ "Mr. Smarty Pants Knows". austinchronicle.com.
  18. ↑ "1984". Archived from the original on July 3, 2007. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  19. ↑ "Velina Brown and Michael Gene Sullivan" . Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  20. ↑ Morris, Clint (January 15, 2006). "Tim Robbins returns to 1984". Archived from the original on June 22, 2008. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  21. ↑ "Tim Robbins plays villain's dad in "Green Lantern"". Reuters. February 9, 2010.
  22. ↑ Wilks, Jon (August 15, 2011). "Tim Robbins: the interview". TimeOut Tokyo. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved August 15, 2011.
  23. ↑ Walker, Dave (May 1, 2011). Tim Robbins immersed himself in New Orleans culture before directing Sunday's episode of 'Treme'. The Times-Picayune. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  24. ↑ "The International Jury 2013". Berlinale. January 28, 2013. Archived from the original on March 1, 2017. Retrieved January 28, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Labor of Love: With Dead Man Walking, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins Go From Oscar Outlaws to Golden Couple by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh". Entertainment Weekly. March 22, 1996. Archived from the original on December 22, 2002.
  26. ↑ Longtime couple Sarandon, Robbins have split Archived August 22, 2014, at the Wayback Machine msnbc. November 23, 2009
  27. ↑ Kirkpatrick, Emily (January 28, 2021). "Tim Robbins's Divorce Ends a Marriage No One Even Knew Had Happened". Vanity Fair. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  28. ↑ Rice, Nicholas (February 3, 2021). "Tim Robbins Was Secretly Married to Gratiela Brancusi for Over 3 Years, Divorce Documents Reveal". People. Retrieved June 25, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Tim Robbins Was Secretly Married to Gratiela Brancusi for Over 3 Years, Divorce Documents Reveal". nz.news.yahoo.com. February 3, 2021. Retrieved May 17, 2021.
  30. ↑ Whitaker, Sterling (August 30, 2022). "'1883' Star Gratiela Brancusi Settles Divorce From Tim Robbins". Taste of Country. Retrieved January 29, 2023. 1883 star Gratiela Brancusi and Hollywood superstar Tim Robbins have finalized their divorce after two years, according to reports.
  31. ↑ Bob Roberts at Madison Square Garden, Youtube.com
  32. ↑ "Political Punch". Blogs.abcnews.com. December 9, 2007. Archived from the original on April 20, 2010. Retrieved March 26, 2010.
  33. ↑ Daleno, Gaynor Dumat-ol (April 7, 2016). "Tim Robbins apologizes for joke about Guam at Sanders rally". USA Today . Retrieved October 24, 2017.
  34. 1 2 "Tim Robbins: Hall of Fame violates freedom". The Age. Melbourne. April 13, 2003. Retrieved November 1, 2007.
  35. ↑ Hays, Gabriel (April 27, 2023). "'Shawshank Redemption' star Tim Robbins rips 'lack of freedom of assembly,' speech that COVID mandates brought". Fox News .
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.