Oscar-winning Actor Cliff Robertson, Died In New York 88
NEW YORK (AP) - Cliff Robertson, a handsome movie actor who played John F. Kennedy 'PT-109, "won the Oscar for" Charly "and was known to the victim in 1977, a fake Hollywood scandal, died Saturday. He was 88
His secretary of 53 years, Evelyn Christel, said he died of natural causes at Stony Brook the day after his eighty-eighth birthday.
Robertson never raised in the top row of leading men, but remained a popular actor in the mid-1950s in the next century. His later roles included kindly Uncle Ben in "Spider-Man" films.He also drew attention to his second marriage with actress and heiress Dina Merrill, daughter of the financier EF Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Post, heiress of Post cereal fortune and one of the richest women in the world.
His triumph came in 1968 with his performance in the Academy Award "Charly" as a mentally disabled man who undergoes medical treatment that makes him a genius - a throwback to the moving to its former condition.
"My father was a loving father and loyal friend, dedicated and honorable career man," said daughter Stephanie Saunders said in a statement. "He was with his family, friends and colleagues through the good and bad. It made a difference in our lives and made our world a better place. All miss him very much."
Robertson had created a series of impressive performances on television and on Broadway, but still saw its role in the films of the big names. His performances on TV's "Days of Wine and Roses" and "The Hustler" for example, were filmed with Jack Lemmon and Paul Newman, respectively. Robertson in the role of Tennessee Williams play "Orpheus Descending," he went to Marlon Brando in the film.
Robertson appeared in "Charly" story in a television version of "The Worlds of Charlie Gordon." Both were based on "Flowers for Algernon," a short story of the author Daniel Keyes revised later in a novel. Robertson has been determined that this time the role on the big screen would not go to another actor.
"I bought the film rights for the show, and I tried for eight years to convince a studio to do it," he said in 1968. "Finally I found a new company, ABC Films . I owned 50 percent of gross, but I gave half to Ralph Nelson directly. "
Critic Roger Ebert called the image Robertson "sensitivity, credibility." The Film Academy agree, but Robertson was unable to get a break from filming a movie in abroad and not on hand when he announced his Oscar.
Another memorable movie role, representing the future of President Kennedy in World War II drama "PT-109", presented other problems.
Published in 1963, it was the first film to be made on a sitting president, and dozens of actors were considered. Kennedy himself promoted Robertson, but he warned he would not someone trying to imitate his distinctive accent of New England.
"He was fine with me," said the actress in 1963. "I think it would have been a mistake for me to say 'Hahvahd" or trying to replicate the movements. Thus the public was constantly aware that the actor was to publish the president. "
He added that the film obviously could not do with heroism, "as Errol Flynn fin 30 of the enemy. The young naval officer does not work simply because they have things to do."
After seeing photos of Robertson in a game, Kennedy had a criticism: the hair is parted on the wrong side.
The actor made his hair carefully to the left.
"PT-109" has been struggling with problems from the beginning, the script changes, management change, bad weather, snakes and mosquitoes in the Florida Keys, where it was filmed.
The problems were obvious on the screen and the film struck sharply critical, although Robertson's work has won praise.
In 1977, Robertson made headlines, this time a whistle in a financial scandal Hollywood.
He had noticed that David Begelman president of Columbia Pictures, he forged her signature salary $ 10,000 check, and called the FBI and the Burbank and Beverly Hills police departments. Hollywood insiders were happy with a bad publicity.
"I had calls from powerful people who said," You were very lucky in this business, I'm sure you do not want all this will end, "recalled Robertson in 1984.
Begelman served a sentence for embezzlement, but he returned to the business of film. He committed suicide in 1995.
His secretary of 53 years, Evelyn Christel, said he died of natural causes at Stony Brook the day after his eighty-eighth birthday.
Robertson never raised in the top row of leading men, but remained a popular actor in the mid-1950s in the next century. His later roles included kindly Uncle Ben in "Spider-Man" films.He also drew attention to his second marriage with actress and heiress Dina Merrill, daughter of the financier EF Hutton and Marjorie Merriweather Post, heiress of Post cereal fortune and one of the richest women in the world.
His triumph came in 1968 with his performance in the Academy Award "Charly" as a mentally disabled man who undergoes medical treatment that makes him a genius - a throwback to the moving to its former condition.
"My father was a loving father and loyal friend, dedicated and honorable career man," said daughter Stephanie Saunders said in a statement. "He was with his family, friends and colleagues through the good and bad. It made a difference in our lives and made our world a better place. All miss him very much."
Robertson appeared in "Charly" story in a television version of "The Worlds of Charlie Gordon." Both were based on "Flowers for Algernon," a short story of the author Daniel Keyes revised later in a novel. Robertson has been determined that this time the role on the big screen would not go to another actor.
"I bought the film rights for the show, and I tried for eight years to convince a studio to do it," he said in 1968. "Finally I found a new company, ABC Films . I owned 50 percent of gross, but I gave half to Ralph Nelson directly. "
Critic Roger Ebert called the image Robertson "sensitivity, credibility." The Film Academy agree, but Robertson was unable to get a break from filming a movie in abroad and not on hand when he announced his Oscar.
Another memorable movie role, representing the future of President Kennedy in World War II drama "PT-109", presented other problems.
"He was fine with me," said the actress in 1963. "I think it would have been a mistake for me to say 'Hahvahd" or trying to replicate the movements. Thus the public was constantly aware that the actor was to publish the president. "
He added that the film obviously could not do with heroism, "as Errol Flynn fin 30 of the enemy. The young naval officer does not work simply because they have things to do."
After seeing photos of Robertson in a game, Kennedy had a criticism: the hair is parted on the wrong side.
The actor made his hair carefully to the left.
"PT-109" has been struggling with problems from the beginning, the script changes, management change, bad weather, snakes and mosquitoes in the Florida Keys, where it was filmed.
The problems were obvious on the screen and the film struck sharply critical, although Robertson's work has won praise.
In 1977, Robertson made headlines, this time a whistle in a financial scandal Hollywood.
He had noticed that David Begelman president of Columbia Pictures, he forged her signature salary $ 10,000 check, and called the FBI and the Burbank and Beverly Hills police departments. Hollywood insiders were happy with a bad publicity.
"I had calls from powerful people who said," You were very lucky in this business, I'm sure you do not want all this will end, "recalled Robertson in 1984.
Begelman served a sentence for embezzlement, but he returned to the business of film. He committed suicide in 1995.
Argued as a spokesman for AT & T until the drought ended in 1981 when he was hired by MGM to "Brainstorm", the latest film by Natalie Wood.
Born September 9, 1923, La Jolla, California, Robertson was second when he agreed to wealthy parents, he was appointed Clifford Parker Robertson III. When his parents divorced and his mother died, was raised in his maternal grandmother, whom he adores.
Robertson, studied briefly Antioch College, majoring in journalism and returned to California and appeared in two small roles in Hollywood movies. Rejected units of the Second World War due to a weak eye, he served in the merchant navy.
He has set his sights on New York theater and, like dozens of other future stars, has benefited from the threshold of a live television drama. Her roles on Broadway was also notified, and then to avoid the Hollywood offers a number of years, has accepted to Columbia Pictures.
"I think that records many times I was leaving," he observed in 1969. "I remember once I lowered the B picture, telling the boss, Harry Cohn, prefer to take the suspension. He shouted to me," Kid, ya has more courage than brains. "I think the old Harry would have to be right."
Robertson's first performance in Colombia, "Picnic" was impressive, even if its screen PAL, William Holden, was a girl, Kim Novak. He followed the tear-jerker, "Autumn Leaves," a young Joan Crawford as her husband, then a musical, "The girl probably" with Jane Powell. In 1959, he endeared himself "Gidget" fans as the Big Kahuna, mature bum surf Malibu, Gidget had her wing.
He was busy, versatile player through the years 60 and 70, but lacked the intensity of Brando, James Dean and others, who brought a new type of screen work.
"Everyone knows me as a player of great value." Cliff's good, they say. One day I would be there as a starter. The time has come, "Charly", but after the usual flurry of Oscar, he returned to the position of utilities.
Robertson had the most success in war movies. Strong presence made him ideal for movies like "The Naked and the Dead," Sea Coral Bataille''de, "633 Squadron''','' the top of the beach,"''The Devil's Brigade "Too'' Late the Hero "and" Midway. "
He had a passion for flight, and paid his salary to buy films and restore World War II and aircraft. It is in the balloon races, including one in 1964 between the mainland and Catalina Island, which ended with his being saved from the Pacific Ocean.
In 1957, Robertson Lemmon married ex-wife, Cynthia Stone, and had a daughter, Stephanie, before splitting in 1960. In 1966, Merrill married and had a daughter, Heather. The couple divorced in 1989.
Robertson funeral will be Friday in East Hampton.
__The former Associated Press writer Bob Thomas in Los Angeles contributed to this report.
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