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Edvard G. RobinsonAmerican actor.
Date of Birth: 12.12.1893
Country:  USA |
Content:
- Edward G. Robinson: A Cinematic Icon
- Broadway Debuts and Early Film Roles
- "Little Caesar" and Gangster Icon Status
- McCarthy Era and Hollywood Blacklists
- Return to Broadway and Later Career
- Legacy and Honors
- Filmography
Edward G. Robinson: A Cinematic Icon
Early Life and Theatrical BeginningsEdward G. Robinson was born Edward Goldenberg on December 12, 1893, in Bucharest, Romania. His Jewish family emigrated to New York City in 1903, where he graduated from high school and later attended the College of the City of New York. While studying law, Robinson fell in love with theater and enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He adopted the stage name "Edward G. Robinson" and began his acting career in 1913.
Broadway Debuts and Early Film Roles
Robinson made his Broadway debut in 1915 and achieved critical acclaim for his performance in "The Kibitzer" in 1924. His first film role came in 1916's "Arms and the Woman," but it wasn't until 1929's "The Hole in the Wall" that Robinson gained significant recognition.
"Little Caesar" and Gangster Icon Status
In 1931, Robinson's iconic portrayal of the ruthless gangster Rico Bandello in "Little Caesar" cemented his image as a "tough guy." This role established him as a leading man in crime dramas, and he went on to star in over 40 films in the 1930s, including "The Hatchet Man" and "Five Star Final."
McCarthy Era and Hollywood Blacklists
In the 1950s, Robinson faced scrutiny from the House Un-American Activities Committee (HUAC). After initially denying knowledge of Communist activity in Hollywood, he testified against alleged subversives, earning him a reputation as an "informant." This led to a decline in his film roles, but he found support from director Cecil B. DeMille, who cast him in the epic "The Ten Commandments" (1956).
Return to Broadway and Later Career
In 1956, Robinson returned to Broadway in the musical "Middle of the Night." Despite the financial setbacks he had faced, he continued to act in films and television throughout the 1960s and 1970s. His notable later roles included "A Hole in the Head" (1959), "The Cincinnati Kid" (1965), and "Soylent Green" (1973), his final film before his passing.
Legacy and Honors
Edward G. Robinson played a pivotal role in shaping the gangster genre and left an enduring mark on American cinema. His performances were characterized by their intensity, authenticity, and moral complexity. Although he never won an Academy Award, he received the Academy Honorary Award in 1973 for his contributions to the film industry. Robinson died from cancer on January 12, 1973, at the age of 79.
Filmography
Arms and the Woman (1916)The Bright Shawl (1923)
The Hole in the Wall (1929)
Little Caesar (1931)
The Hatchet Man (1932)
Five Star Final (1931)
The Whole Town's Talking (1935)
The Last Gangster (1937)
Confessions of a Nazi Spy (1939)
Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940)
The Sea Wolf (1941)
Double Indemnity (1944)
Scarlet Street (1945)
Key Largo (1948)
Night Has a Thousand Eyes (1948)
The Ten Commandments (1956)
A Hole in the Head (1959)
The Cincinnati Kid (1965)
Soylent Green (1973)
