Edward G. Robinson
Edward G. Robinson (born Emanuel Goldenberg; December 12, 1893 – January 26, 1973) was a Romanian-born American actor. He is best known for his iconic portrayals of tough guys and gangsters in films from the 1930s and 1940s. Robinson's intense performances and distinctive voice made him one of the most recognizable actors of his time.
Robinson was born in Bucharest, Romania, and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was ten years old. They settled in New York City, where Robinson developed a passion for acting. He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began his career in theater, working on Broadway and regional stages.
In 1923, Robinson made his film debut in the silent film "The Bright Shawl." His breakthrough came in 1931 with the film "Little Caesar," in which he played the role of a ruthless gangster named Rico Bandello. The film's success propelled Robinson to stardom and established his image as a tough and charismatic onscreen presence.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Robinson continued to portray complex characters in crime dramas and film noirs. Some of his notable films from this period include "Scarface" (1932), "Key Largo" (1948), and "Double Indemnity" (1944). He often played intelligent and morally ambiguous characters, combining charm and menace in his performances.
While Robinson was primarily known for his roles as gangsters, he demonstrated his versatility as an actor by taking on a variety of other roles. He showcased his comedic skills in the screwball comedy "The Whole Town's Talking" (1935) and delivered a powerful dramatic performance as a German spy in "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" (1939).
In addition to his film career, Robinson was also involved in political activism. He was a strong supporter of liberal causes and became an outspoken critic of fascism and McCarthyism. He served as the president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from 1939 to 1952 and was placed on the Hollywood blacklist during the Red Scare era of the 1950s.
In the later years of his career, Robinson continued to work in both film and television. He received an Academy Award nomination for his role in "Double Indemnity" and was honored with an honorary Oscar in 1973 for his contributions to the film industry.
Edward G. Robinson's career spanned several decades, and he left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. His intense performances, distinctive voice, and portrayal of memorable characters made him an enduring presence in film history. Robinson's legacy as a talented actor and political activist remains influential to this day.
Robinson was born in Bucharest, Romania, and immigrated to the United States with his family when he was ten years old. They settled in New York City, where Robinson developed a passion for acting. He studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and began his career in theater, working on Broadway and regional stages.
In 1923, Robinson made his film debut in the silent film "The Bright Shawl." His breakthrough came in 1931 with the film "Little Caesar," in which he played the role of a ruthless gangster named Rico Bandello. The film's success propelled Robinson to stardom and established his image as a tough and charismatic onscreen presence.
Throughout the 1930s and 1940s, Robinson continued to portray complex characters in crime dramas and film noirs. Some of his notable films from this period include "Scarface" (1932), "Key Largo" (1948), and "Double Indemnity" (1944). He often played intelligent and morally ambiguous characters, combining charm and menace in his performances.
While Robinson was primarily known for his roles as gangsters, he demonstrated his versatility as an actor by taking on a variety of other roles. He showcased his comedic skills in the screwball comedy "The Whole Town's Talking" (1935) and delivered a powerful dramatic performance as a German spy in "Confessions of a Nazi Spy" (1939).
In addition to his film career, Robinson was also involved in political activism. He was a strong supporter of liberal causes and became an outspoken critic of fascism and McCarthyism. He served as the president of the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) from 1939 to 1952 and was placed on the Hollywood blacklist during the Red Scare era of the 1950s.
In the later years of his career, Robinson continued to work in both film and television. He received an Academy Award nomination for his role in "Double Indemnity" and was honored with an honorary Oscar in 1973 for his contributions to the film industry.
Edward G. Robinson's career spanned several decades, and he left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. His intense performances, distinctive voice, and portrayal of memorable characters made him an enduring presence in film history. Robinson's legacy as a talented actor and political activist remains influential to this day.
Quotes:
"If I were just a bit taller and I was a little more handsome or something like that, I could have played all the roles that I have played, and played many more. There is such a thing as a handicap, but you've got to be that much better as an actor. It kept me from certain roles that I might have had, but then, it kept others from playing my roles, so I don't know that it's not altogether balanced."
[on Double Indemnity (1944)] "It was, in fact, the third lead. I debated accepting it. Emanuel Goldberg told me that at my age it was time to begin thinking of character roles, to slide into middle and old age with the same grace as that marvelous actor Lewis Stone . . . The decision made itself. It remains one of my favorites."
"I remember just before going onto the soundstage, I'd look in my dressing room mirror and stretch myself to my full 5'5" or 5'6"--whatever it was--to make me appear taller and to make me able to dominate all the others and to mow them down with my size."
[on Humphrey Bogart] "I always felt sorry for him--sorry that he had imposed upon himself the character with which he had become identified."
[on being cast in The Ten Commandments (1956)] "Cecil B. DeMille restored my self-respect."
"To be entrusted with a character was always a big responsibility to me."
- Edward G. Robinson
Trivia:
Although best known for playing fierce, angry and often murderous little men, he was actually well-liked and respected by almost everyone off-screen, having been a sensitive, quiet, artistic type when not performing.
He hated guns. During production of Little Caesar (1931), his eyelids had to be taped open so he wouldn't flinch when he fired his weapon.
Donated $100,000 to the United Service Organization (USO) during WW2. Like many celebrities, he also pitched in at the Hollywood Canteen and, being multilingual (he reportedly spoke seven languages fluently, among them Yiddish, Romanian and German), worked on broadcasts to countries occupied by the Nazis.
Was considered for the role of Don Vito Corleone in The Godfather (1972) before Marlon Brando was cast.
Has appeared in three films that have been selected for the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically" significant: Little Caesar (1931), Double Indemnity (1944) and The Ten Commandments (1956).
He was originally offered the role of Little Bonaparte in Some Like It Hot (1959), but had vowed never again to work with George Raft, with whom he had a fistfight on the set of Manpower (1941) when, for a scene, Raft spun him around too hard (despite the avowal, he did co-star with Raft in A Bullet for Joey (1955)). However, the role of Johnny Paradise, the kid pay8in tribute to Raft's "cheap trick" of coin-flipping, is also the man with the Tommy gun in the birthday cake who mows down Spats and his gang. The actor is Edward G. Robinson Jr.
