Cause of death Heart Attack Children Jason Robards Role Actor | Name Jason Sr. Occupation Actor | |
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Died April 4, 1963, Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, California, United States Spouse Agnes Lynch (m. 1929–1963), Hope Maxine Glanville Robards (m. 1914–1927) Parents Elizabeth Loomis, Frank P. Robards, Sr Movies Mr Blandings Builds Hi, Abraham Lincoln, Under the Tonto Rim, Tracked by the Police, Wild Horse Mesa Similar People Ray Enright, Sam Robards, H C Potter, B Reeves Eason, Sharyn Moffett | ||
Peacock Alley (1930) PRE-CODE HOLLYWOOD
Jason Nelson Robards Sr. (December 31, 1892 – April 4, 1963) was an American stage and screen actor, and the father of Oscar-winning actor Jason Robards Jr. Robards appeared in many films, initially as a leading man, then in character roles and occasional bits. Most of his final roles were in television.
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Life and career
Robards was born Jason Nelson Robards on a farm in Hillsdale, Michigan, the son of Elizabeth (née Loomis), a schoolteacher, and Frank P. Robards Sr., a farmer and post office inspector who managed Theodore Roosevelt's 1912 Presidential campaign in Michigan. He was raised in Chicago, Illinois. He trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He was billed simply as "Jason Robards" through most of his career, but in his latter years, after his namesake son took up acting, he was generally listed in credits as Jason Robards Sr. He died in 1963 (after which his increasingly famous son switched from "Jason Robards Jr." to "Jason Robards"). Contemporary actors Jason Robards III and Sam Robards are Jason Sr.'s grandsons. "
Acting career
Robards' film career lasted from 1921 through 1961. His Broadway credits include the musical Turn To The Right (1917). After 1951, Robards' career consisted entirely of television performances, but prior to that, the Internet Movie Database lists appearances in 208 movies over a 30-year span before he spent another decade acting in various television shows and series.
Robards' best known stage role was John Marvin in the long-running hit Lightnin'. Robards' connection to the part caused his son to equate him to the character of James Tyrone in Long Day's Journey Into Night, which Jason Jr. played on Broadway in 1956 and on screen in 1962. In the play, Tyrone is an actor whose career is limited by his identification with a single part, The Count of Monte Cristo. Jason Jr. would later say "One of the most damaging things for me, I realize now, was playing a drunk in the play Long Day's Journey Into Night. In the play, the drunk's father is a failed artist and his mother was a drug addict. It was only after years of analysis I realized I was acting out events in my own life on stage."
In one of his television appearances, Robards played Judge Hesby in the 1958 episode "Dead Reckoning" of the ABC/Warner Brothers western series, Colt .45, starring Wayde Preston. Others in the guest cast were Richard Webb and Lee Van Cleef as Rocky Norton and Devery, respectively.
The Robardses, father and son, acted on stage together only once, in Budd Schulberg's The Disenchanted, a play inspired by the story of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Jason Jr. won his only Tony Award for his performance.
Death
Robards Sr. died, aged 70, in Sherman Oaks, California, of a heart attack.
Filmography
Actor
1963
The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet (TV Series) as
Mr. Jason
- The Secret Agent (1963) - Mr. Jason
1962
Tales of Wells Fargo (TV Series) as
Ira P. Strickland M.D.
- Return to Yesterday (1962) - Ira P. Strickland M.D.
1958
General Electric Theater (TV Series) as
Judge / L.P. Kerner / Sam Brady / ...
- The Wish Book (1961) - Judge
- The Legend That Walks Like a Man (1961) - L.P. Kerner
- Journey to a Wedding (1960) - Sam Brady
- The Coward of Fort Bennett (1958) - Col. Carter
1961
The Deputy (TV Series) as
Rufus Hayden
- Lawman's Conscience (1961) - Rufus Hayden
1961
Leave It to Beaver (TV Series) as
Mr. Henderson
- Kite Day (1961) - Mr. Henderson
1961
Wild in the Country as
Judge Tom Parker (uncredited)
1961
The Barbara Stanwyck Show (TV Series) as
Rupert Willis
- The Golden Acres (1961) - Rupert Willis
1961
Acapulco (TV Series) as
Max
1961
Wagon Train (TV Series) as
White Hawk
- The Patience Miller Story (1961) - White Hawk
1960
Manhunt (TV Series) as
Raymond Marriner
- Number Five Iron (1960) - Raymond Marriner
1960
Laramie (TV Series) as
Dan Preston
- Ride into Darkness (1960) - Dan Preston
1958
Sugarfoot (TV Series) as
Red Tomahawk / Judge
- The Shadow Catcher (1960) - Red Tomahawk
- Small War at Custer Junction (1958) - Judge (as Jason Robards)
1959
The Ed Sullivan Show (TV Series) as
Manley Holliday - Scene from The Disenchanted
- Episode #12.18 (1959) - Manley Holliday - Scene from The Disenchanted (as Jason Robards)
1958
Cimarron City (TV Series) as
Cal Demming
- Kid on a Calico Horse (1958) - Cal Demming
- To Become a Man (1958) - Cal Demming
- I, the People (1958) - Cal Demming
1958
Studio One (TV Series) as
Walter Osgood
- Man Under Glass (1958) - Walter Osgood
1958
The Notorious Mr. Monks as
Judge (uncredited)
1958
Colt .45 (TV Series) as
Judge Hesby
- Dead Reckoning (1958) - Judge Hesby
1958
Broken Arrow (TV Series) as
Judge Ryder
- Bad Boy (1958) - Judge Ryder
1950
The Second Woman as
Stacy Rogers (as Jason Robards)
1950
Western Pacific Agent as
Train Passenger (uncredited)
1949
The Threat as
Police Fingerprint Technician (uncredited)
1949
Horsemen of the Sierras as
Phineas Grant (as Jason Robards)
1949
Feudin' Rhythm as
Mr. Rushman (uncredited)
1949
Post Office Investigator as
Henry Hand
1949
Masked Raiders as
Captain of Texas Rangers (uncredited)
1949
South of Death Valley as
Major Porter Mullen - Assayer (uncredited)
1949
Massacre River as
Lawyer Johnstone (uncredited)
1949
Rimfire as
Elkins - Banker (as Jason Robards)
1949
Impact as
Judge (as Jason Robards)
1949
Riders of the Whistling Pines as
Charles Carter (uncredited)
1949
Dynamite as
Hook - Quarry Superintendent (uncredited)
1949
Alaska Patrol as
Dr. Loring (as Jason Robards)
1948
Smoky Mountain Melody as
Josh Corby (as Jason Robards)
1948
Son of God's Country as
John Thornton (as Jason Robards)
1948
Return of the Bad Men as
Judge Harper (as Jason Robards)
1948
Race Street as
Apartment Desk Clerk (uncredited)
1948
Guns of Hate as
Ben Jason (as Jason Robards)
1948
Shed No Tears as
Homicide Inspector (uncredited)
1948
Fighting Father Dunne as
J.J. Sonin (as Jason Robards)
1948
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House as
John Retch (as Jason Robards)
1948
If You Knew Susie as
Ogleby (uncredited)
1948
Western Heritage as
Judge Winston (as Jason Robards)
1948
The Judge Steps Out as
Police Officer Maloney (uncredited)
1947
Wild Horse Mesa as
Pop Melhern (as Jason Robards)
1947
Dick Tracy Meets Gruesome as
Bank Officer (uncredited)
1947
Under the Tonto Rim as
Captain McLeod (as Jason Robards)
1947
Thunder Mountain as
Jim Gardner (as Jason Robards)
1947
Seven Keys to Baldpate as
Hayden (as Jason Robards)
1947
Desperate as
Ferrari (as Jason Robards)
1947
Dick Tracy's Dilemma as
Hawks (uncredited)
1947
Banjo as
Conductor Matthews (uncredited)
1947
Born to Kill as
Conductor (uncredited)
1947
Riffraff as
Domingues (as Jason Robards)
1947
A Likely Story as
Cop (uncredited)
1947
The Farmer's Daughter as
Night Editor (uncredited)
1947
Code of the West as
Morley (uncredited)
1947
Trail Street as
Jason (as Jason Robards)
1947
Do or Diet (Short) as
Boss (as Jason Robards)
1946
The Falcon's Adventure as
Lt. R. Evans (as Jason Robards)
1946
Vacation in Reno as
Sheriff (as Jason Robards)
1946
Dick Tracy vs. Cueball as
Captain (uncredited)
1946
Criminal Court as
Al Marsh (uncredited)
1946
I'll Build It Myself (Short) as
Mr. Jackson (as Jason Robards)
1946
Step by Step as
Bruckner (as Jason Robards)
1946
I'll Take Milk (Short)
1946
The Bamboo Blonde as
Colonel Graham (uncredited)
1946
Twin Husbands (Short) as
Dorothy's Attorney (as Jason Robards)
1946
Badman's Territory as
Alert Coffeyville Citizen (uncredited)
1946
Bedlam as
Oliver Todd (as Jason Robards)
1946
Ding Dong Williams as
Director Kenmore (as Jason Robards)
1946
The Falcon's Alibi as
Harvey Beaumont (as Jason Robards)
1946
Riverboat Rhythm as
Mr. Norris (uncredited)
1946
Deadline at Dawn as
Policeman with Liquor Bottle (uncredited)
1945
Dick Tracy as
Motorist (uncredited)
1945
A Game of Death as
Captain (as Jason Robards)
1945
Man Alive as
Henry Fletcher (as Jason Robards)
1945
Johnny Angel as
Officer (uncredited)
1945
George White's Scandals as
Sketch Husband (uncredited)
1945
Isle of the Dead as
Albrecht (as Jason Robards)
1945
West of the Pecos as
Undetermined Role (uncredited)
1945
Mama Loves Papa as
Playground Policeman (uncredited)
1945
Radio Stars on Parade as
Inspector's Assistant (uncredited)
1945
The Falcon in San Francisco as
Loomis - the Butler (uncredited)
1945
What, No Cigarettes? (Short) as
Policeman (as Jason Robards)
1945
It Shouldn't Happen to a Dog (Short)(as Jason Robards)
1945
Wanderer of the Wasteland as
Crooked Dealer (as Jason Robards)
1945
Let's Go Stepping (Short)(as Jason Robards)
1945
Zombies on Broadway as
Headwaiter (uncredited)
1945
Betrayal from the East as
Charlie Hildebrand (as Jason Robards)
1945
What a Blonde as
Redmond, Fowler's Assistant (uncredited)
1944
Music in Manhattan as
Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)
1944
The Master Race as
Jacob Weiner (uncredited)
1944
Mademoiselle Fifi as
A Wholesaler in Wines (as Jason Robards)
1944
A Night of Adventure as
Ballistics Expert (uncredited)
1944
Bermuda Mystery as
Mark Dunham (as Jason Robards)
1944
Ladies Courageous (uncredited)
1944
Sing a Jingle as
Third Man (uncredited)
1943
Swingtime Johnny (uncredited)
1943
The Kansan as
Bank Teller (uncredited)
1943
Sherlock Holmes in Washington as
Hotel Doorman (uncredited)
1942
Silver Queen as
Bank Teller (uncredited)
1942
Give Out, Sisters as
Drunk
1942
Joan of Ozark as
Theatrical Agent (uncredited)
1941
San Antonio Rose as
Radio Station Man (uncredited)
1941
Hurry, Charlie, Hurry as
Secret Service Man (uncredited)
1940
The Green Hornet Strikes Again! as
Foley's Bodyguard (uncredited)
1940
The Howards of Virginia as
Backwoodsman (uncredited)
1940
I Love You Again as
Worker with Hendrickson Account (uncredited)
1940
Wagons Westward as
Cavalry Officer (uncredited)
1940
Gangs of Chicago as
Doctor (uncredited)
1940
The Fatal Hour as
Griswold (as Jason Robards)
1939
The Mad Empress as
President Benito Juarez (as Jason Robards)
1939
Zorro's Fighting Legion as
Cantina Proprietor [Ch. 1] (uncredited)
1939
Danger Flight as
Paul Smith (as Jason Robards)
1939
Sky Patrol as
Paul Smith - Three Points Airfield Owner (as Jason Robards)
1939
Range War as
Rancher (as Jason Robards)
1939
I Stole a Million as
Bank Teller (uncredited)
1939
Stunt Pilot as
Paul Smith (as Jason Robards)
1939
Radio Hams (Short) as
Pilot in Distress (uncredited)
1939
Man of Conquest as
Alamo Defender (uncredited)
1939
Juarez (uncredited)
1939
Mystery Plane as
Paul Smith (as Jason Robards)
1939
Risky Business as
Jackson's Henchman (uncredited)
1939
Scouts to the Rescue as
Henchman 'Doc' (as Jason Robards)
1939
Long Shot as
Doctor (uncredited)
1938
His Exciting Night as
Office Worker (uncredited)
1938
The Storm as
Waiter (uncredited)
1938
Cipher Bureau as
Ellsworth
1938
Flight to Fame as
Muller (as Jason Robards)
1938
Little Tough Guy as
Supervisor (uncredited)
1938
Prison Break as
Prison Guard Who Finds Note (uncredited)
1938
Woman Against Woman as
Mr. Roamer (uncredited)
1938
The Rage of Paris as
Department Head (uncredited)
1938
Sinners in Paradise as
Captain (uncredited)
1938
Nurse from Brooklyn as
Surgeon (uncredited)
1938
The Adventures of Marco Polo as
Messenger (uncredited)
1938
The Purple Vigilantes as
Prosecuting Attorney (uncredited)
1937
Clipped Wings as
Raoul McGuire (as Jason Robards)
1937
Zorro Rides Again as
Townsman (uncredited)
1937
The Firefly as
Civilian Spanish Patriot (uncredited)
1937
The Man Who Cried Wolf as
Doctor (uncredited)
1937
Vogues of 1938 as
Reporter (uncredited)
1937
Sweetheart of the Navy as
Bumper (as Jason Robards)
1937
Servant of the People: The Story of the Constitution of the United States (Short) as
Gouverneur Morris of Pennsylvania (uncredited)
1937
Torture Money (Short) as
Alex Carmathy (uncredited)
1936
Laughing at Trouble as
Clerk of Court (uncredited)
1936
White Legion as
Kramer (uncredited)
1936
The Luckiest Girl in the World (as Jason Robards)
1936
San Francisco as
Father (uncredited)
1936
Robin Hood of El Dorado as
Pancho (uncredited)
1935
The Fighting Marines as
Kota (as Jason Robards)
1935
The Last Days of Pompeii as
Tax Gatherer (uncredited)
1935
I Live My Life as
Church, Man at Party (uncredited)
1935
The Crusades as
Amir / Slave in Saladin's Garden (uncredited)
1935
Ladies Crave Excitement as
Nick (as Jason Robards)
1935
Break of Hearts as
Ticket-Seller (uncredited)
1935
Let 'em Have It as
Carter (uncredited)
1935
Vagabond Lady as
John's Best Man (uncredited)
1935
The Miracle Rider as
Carlton (as Jason Robards)
1934
Broadway Bill as
Arthur Winslow (as Jason Robards)
1934
The President Vanishes as
Kilbourne
1934
Crimson Romance as
Pierre (as Jason Robards)
1934
The Merry Widow as
Arresting Officer (uncredited)
1934
Take the Stand as
Joe Reynolds (as Jason Robards)
1934
One Exciting Adventure as
Bit Part (uncredited)
1934
Cockeyed Cavaliers as
Tavern Singer (uncredited)
1934
Burn 'Em Up Barnes as
John Drummond (as Jason Robards)
1934
The Woman Condemned as
Jim Wallace (as Jason Robards)
1934
Looking for Trouble as
Shotgun Henchman (uncredited)
1934
Woman Unafraid as
Big Bill Lewis (as Jason Robards)
1934
The Super Snooper (Short)(as Jason Robards)
1934
All of Me as
Man in Speakeasy (uncredited)
1934
Public Stenographer as
Fred 'Freddie' White (as Jason Robards)
1933
Carnival Lady as
Jim Ryan
1933
Only Yesterday as
Wall Street Investor (uncredited)
1933
The Way to Love as
Guide
1933
Ship of Wanted Men as
John Craig (as Jason Robards)
1933
The Devil's Mate as
Clinton (as Jason Robards)
1933
Dance Hall Hostess as
Jerry Raymond (as Jason Robards)
1933
Corruption as
Police Commissioner (as Jason Robards)
1933
Damaged Lives as
Dr. Bill Hall (as Jason Robards)
1933
Employees' Entrance as
Commercial Artist (uncredited)
1932
A Strange Adventure as
Dr. Bailey (as Jason Robards)
1932
The Conquerors as
Lane (as Jason Robards)
1932
The Pride of the Legion as
Moran (as Jason Robards)
1932
Slightly Married as
Jack Haines
1932
White Eagle as
Dave Rand (as Jason Robards)
1932
Klondike as
Jim Armstrong (as Jason Robards)
1932
Unholy Love as
Simmington
1932
Docks of San Francisco as
John Banning (as Jason Robards)
1932
Union Depot as
Station Agent (uncredited)
1932
Discarded Lovers as
Rex Forsythe
1931
Double Decoy (Short) as
The Lover (as Jason Robards)
1931
The Law of the Tong as
Charlie Wong (as Jason Robards)
1931
Trapped (Short) as
Detective Lt. Jack Reed (as Jason Robards)
1931
Caught Plastered as
Harry Waters (as Jason Robards)
1931
Ex-Bad Boy as
Roger Shields
1931
Salvation Nell as
Major Williams (as Jason Robards)
1931
Subway Express as
Paul Bordon
1931
Charlie Chan Carries On as
Walter Honeywood
1930
Lightnin' as
Raymond Thomas
1930
The Jazz Cinderella as
Herbert Carter (as Jason Robards)
1930
Abraham Lincoln as
Herndon (as Jason Robards)
1930
Sisters as
John Shannon (as Jason Robard)
1930
Crazy That Way as
Frank Oakes (as Jason Robards)
1930
The Last Dance as
Tom Malloy (as Jason Robards)
1930
Trifles (Short) as
George Henderson (as Jason Robards)
1930
Peacock Alley as
Jim Bradbury (as Jason Robards)
1929
Paris as
Andrew Sabbot (as Jason Robards)
1929
The Isle of Lost Ships as
Frank Howard (as Jason Robards)
1929
The Gamblers as
Carvel Emerson (as Jason Robards)
1929
The Flying Marine as
Mitch Moran (as Jason Robards)
1929
Trial Marriage as
Dr. Thorvald Ware (as Jason Robards)
1929
A Bird in the Hand (Short) as
The Husband (as Jason Robards)
1929
Some Mother's Boy as
The Boy (as Jason Robards)
1928
On Trial as
Defense Attorney (as Jason Robards)
1928
The Death Ship (Short) as
Tom - The First Mate (as Jason Robards)
1927
Casey Jones as
Casey Jones Jr (as Jason Robards)
1927
Streets of Shanghai as
Eugene Fong (as Jason Robards)
1927
Wild Geese as
Mark Jordan (as Jason Robards)
1927
Polly of the Movies as
Angus Whitcomb (as Jason Robards)
1927
Jaws of Steel as
John Warren (as Jason Robards)
1927
The Heart of Maryland as
Maj. Alan Kendrick (as Jason Robards)
1927
Irish Hearts as
Rory (as Jason Robards)
1927
Tracked by the Police as
Bob Owen (as Jason Robards)
1927
White Flannels as
Frank Politz (as Jason Robards)
1927
Hills of Kentucky as
Steve Harley (as Jason Robards)
1926
The Third Degree as
Howard Jeffries Jr. (as Jason Robards)
1926
Footloose Widows as
Jerry (as Jason Robards)
1926
The Cohens and Kellys as
Tim Kelly (as Jason Robards)
1925
Stella Maris as
Walter Herold (as Jason Robards)
1921
The Land of Hope as
Sascha Rabinoff (as Jason Robards)
1921
The Gilded Lily as
Frank Thompson (as Jason Robards)
Self
1946
Traffic with the Devil (Documentary short) as
Irate Motorist (uncredited)
Archive Footage
1948
Variety Time as
Jackson - clip from 'I'll Do it Myself'
1934
Burn 'Em Up Barnes as
John Drummond (as Jason Robards)
References
Jason Robards Sr. Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA