Tony Roberts (actor)

David Anthony Roberts (October 22, 1939 – February 7, 2025) was an American actor known for his roles on stage and screen. He is best known for his collaborations with filmmaker Woody Allen, having acted in six of his films, most notably ''Annie Hall'' (1977).

Roberts also acted in films by Sidney Lumet, Blake Edwards, and Herbert Ross. On stage, he made his Broadway debut in the Ernest Kinoy play '' Something About a Soldier'' (1962). He received two Tony Award nominations for his supporting roles in the musical comedy '' How Now, Dow Jones'' (1968) and Woody Allen's comedic play '' Play It Again, Sam'' (1969).

Early life and education

Roberts was born in Manhattan, New York City, the son of radio announcer Ken Roberts and Norma (née Finkelstein), an animator. His family was Jewish. Roberts attended the High School of Music & Art and Northwestern University, and he made his Broadway debut in 1962 with a role in the play '' Something About a Soldier''.

Career

Roberts collaborated with Woody Allen. In ''Annie Hall'', he portrayed Alvy Singer's best friend, Rob. Other Allen movies and plays in which he appeared include both the Broadway and movie versions of '' Play It Again, Sam''; '' Stardust Memories'' (1980), ''A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy'' (1982), ''Hannah and Her Sisters'' (1986) and '' Radio Days'' (1987). In 2001, Roberts appeared in Allen's respective segment for '' The Concert for New York City''.

Roberts portrayed Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle in '' The Taking of Pelham One Two Three''. He also appeared in the Sidney Lumet movies '' Serpico'' and '' Just Tell Me What You Want''. In a rare, big-screen leading role, Roberts starred in the 1983 horror movie '' Amityville 3-D'' as John Baxter, a deeply skeptical tabloid journalist who buys a haunted house. He appeared opposite George Burns (as his son) in 1988's '' Eighteen Again!'', and co-starred in the horror-dark comedy ''Popcorn'' as Professor Davis, and in Blake Edwards's situation comedy ''Switch'' as Arnold Freidkin, both 1991 theatrical releases. Roberts also appeared in the Walt Disney screwball comedy '' The Million Dollar Duck'' and the stage-to-screen adaptation of '' Star Spangled Girl'', both 1971 (and both co-starring Sandy Duncan); '' Key Exchange'' and '' Le Sauvage'', both 1985; 1986's '' Seize the Day''; and 2005's '' Twelve and Holding''.

Roberts's last theatrically released feature film role was as Jason Bateman's character's therapist in the 2014 independent romantic comedy-drama '' The Longest Week''. His final made-for-television film portrayal was in the 2017 ABC production ''Dirty Dancing''.

Roberts's Broadway credits include ''Barefoot in the Park''; '' How Now, Dow Jones''; '' Murder at the Howard Johnson's''; '' Promises, Promises''; ''Sugar'' (the musical version of the movie ''Some Like It Hot''); '' The Sisters Rosensweig''; '' They're Playing Our Song''; '' Victor/Victoria''; '' The Tale of the Allergist's Wife''; '' Arsenic and Old Lace''; and ''Cabaret''. In 1998, he played Buddy Plummer in Stephen Sondheim's '' Follies'' at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. In 2007, Roberts returned to Broadway in the musical '' Xanadu''.

On television, Roberts was the third actor to play Lee Pollock on ''The Edge of Night''. He appeared in numerous television series such as ''The Carol Burnett Show'', '' Matlock'', ''Law & Order'', and '' Law & Order: Criminal Intent''. In 1977, he was featured, alongside Squire Fridell, as a lead in the short-lived NBC legal drama '' Rosetti and Ryan''.

In 1978, he guest-starred on ''The Love Boat''. Roberts and Lauren Tewes's character, cruise ship director Julie McCoy, fall in love, but in the end do not pursue a romantic relationship. Roberts was featured (with Penny Fuller, who had played his wife on ''The Edge of Night'') on the ABC comedy '' The Thorns''. He was a regular performer on the '' CBS Radio Mystery Theater''. Roberts also recorded many of the audiobook adaptations of Stuart Woods's novels. His other audiobook credits include Andrew Vachss's '' Batman: The Ultimate Evil'', Kurt Vonnegut's ''Cat's Cradle'', and Spencer Johnson's '' Who Moved My Cheese?''.

Personal life

Roberts died of lung cancer at his Manhattan home on February 7, 2025 at the age of 85.

Acting credits

Film

Television

Theater

Radio

Awards and nominations

* '' How Now, Dow Jones'' — Nominee — Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical (1968)
* '' Play It Again, Sam'' — Nominee — Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play (1969)

References

External links

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Tony Roberts
at Internet Off-Broadway Database
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Tony Roberts
- ''Downstage Center'' interview at American Theatre Wing.org
* Tony Robert
article in ''The New York Observer''

{{DEFAULTSORT:Roberts, Tony
1939 births
2025 deaths
21st-century American Jews
American male film actors
American male musical theatre actors
American male stage actors
American male television actors
Deaths from lung cancer in New York (state)
Jewish American male actors
Male actors from Manhattan
Northwestern University alumni
The High School of Music & Art alumni