Rex McNicol Robbins (March 30, 1935 – September 23, 2003) was an American character actor of stage and screen. He played the Narrator/Mysterious Man in the first national tour of ''

Into the Woods ''Into the Woods'' is a 1986 musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical intertwines the plots of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales, exploring the consequences of the characters' wishes and quests. T ...

''. Robbins also portrayed Herbie in the first Broadway revival of ''Gypsy''.

Career

Robbins appeared opposite Angela Lansbury in the 1974 Broadway revival of ''

Gypsy {{Infobox ethnic group , group = Romani people , image = , image_caption = , flag = Roma flag.svg , flag_caption = Romani flag created in 1933 and accepted at the 1971 World Romani Congress , po ...

''. He made his Broadway debut in 1963 as the doctor in '' One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest'' and subsequently went on to play roles in over 30 plays and films. He also starred with

John Lithgow John Arthur Lithgow ( ; born , 1945) is an American actor. He studied at Harvard University and the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art before becoming known for his John Lithgow filmography, diverse work on stage and screen. He has rece ...

in several British plays, including '' The Changing Room'' (1973) and ''Comedians'' (1976) and was directed by Lithgow in ''Boy Meets Girl'' (1976) based on the 1938 film of the same name. He replaced David Ogden Stiers in the long-running Doug Henning musical '' The Magic Show''. In 1972, he played the role of

Roger Sherman Roger Sherman (April 19, 1721 – July 23, 1793) was an early American politician, lawyer, and a Founding Father of the United States. He is the only person to sign all four great state papers of the United States: the Continental Association, ...

in the film version of the musical ''

1776 Events January–February * January 1 – American Revolutionary War – Burning of Norfolk: The town of Norfolk, Virginia is destroyed, by the combined actions of the British Royal Navy and occupying Patriot forces. * January ...

''. Off-Broadway, he appeared in ''Urban Blight'' at Manhattan Theatre Club, A.R. Gurney's ''

The Dining Room ''The Dining Room'' is a play by the American playwright A. R. Gurney. It was first produced Off-Broadway at the Studio Theatre of Playwrights Horizons, in 1981. Synopsis The play is a comedy of manners, set in a single dining room where 18 s ...

'' at Playwrights Horizons and '' Henry IV, Part I'' at

the Public Theater The Public Theater is an arts organization in New York City. Founded by Joseph Papp, The Public Theater was originally the Shakespeare Workshop in 1954; its mission was to support emerging playwrights and performers.Epstein, Helen. ''Joe Papp: ...

. His last stage appearance was as Mr. Brown in the musical adaption of '' James Joyce's The Dead'' in 2000. His last film was a brief appearance in ''

The Royal Tenenbaums ''The Royal Tenenbaums'' is a 2001 American tragicomedy film directed by Wes Anderson and co-written with Owen Wilson. It stars Danny Glover, Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, Bill Murray, Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Stiller, Luke Wilson, and Owen Wilson. ...

''.

Personal life

Robbins was born in Pierre, South Dakota, to Lucy Geraldine (McNicol), who worked in journalism, and Clarence Edward Robbins, a doctor. He was an alumnus of

Yale University Yale University is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701, Yale is the List of Colonial Colleges, third-oldest institution of higher education in the United Stat ...

and was married with three children. Robbins died of a stroke on September 23, 2003, at age 68.

Partial filmography

*'' Shaft'' (1971) - Rollie *''

'' (1972) - Roger Sherman (CT) *'' Simon'' (1980) - Army doctor *''The First Time'' (1983) - Leon *'' The Man Who Wasn't There'' (1983) - Minister *'' Reuben, Reuben'' (1983) - C. B. Springer *'' Key Exchange'' (1985) - Dr. Fanshaw *'' The Secret of My Success'' (1987) - McMasters *'' Vampire's Kiss'' (1988) - Sidney Langdon *''Love or Money'' (1990) - Al McDonough *'' Stella'' (1990) - Minister *'' I.Q.'' (1994) - Suit *''Breathing Room'' (1996) - David's Father *'' The Associate'' (1996) - Investor at 21 Club *''

'' (2001) - Mr. Levinson (final film role)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Robbins, Rex 1935 births 2003 deaths 20th-century American male actors American male stage actors American male film actors People from Pierre, South Dakota Male actors from South Dakota Yale University alumni