Wikipedia

Tim Robbins

Not to be confused withTom Robbins.

Timothy Francis Robbins(born October 16, 1958)[2]is an American actor. He is best known for portraying Andy Dufresne in the filmThe Shawshank Redemption(1994), and Jacob Singer inJacob's Ladder(1990), as well as winning anAcademy AwardandGolden Globeaward for his role inMystic River(2003) and another Golden Globe forThe Player(1992).

Tim Robbins
Robbins at theBerlin Film Festival2013
Born
Timothy Francis Robbins

(1958-10-16)October 16, 1958(age 65)
West Covina, California,U.S.
EducationUniversity of California, Los Angeles(BA)
Occupations
  • Actor
  • director
  • producer
  • screenwriter
Years active1982–present
WorksFull list
Spouse
​
​
(m.2017;div.2022)​
PartnerSusan Sarandon(1988–2009)
Children2, includingMiles Robbins
AwardsFull list
Tim Robbins's voice
from the BBC programFront Row,September 2, 2010.[1]
Websitetimrobbins.net

Robbins's other roles include starring as Lt. Samuel "Merlin" Wells inTop Gun(1986), Nuke LaLoosh inBull Durham(1988), Erik inErik the Viking(1989), Ed Walters inI.Q.(1994), Nick Beam inNothing to Lose(1997) and Senator Robert Hammond inGreen Lantern(2011). He also directed the filmsBob Roberts(1992) andDead Man Walking(1995), both of which were well received. He received an Academy Award nomination forBest DirectorforDead Man Walking.

On television, Robbins played Secretary of State Walter Larson in theHBOcomedyThe Brink(2015), and inHere and Now(2018) portrayed Greg Boatwright. In 2023, he starred as Bernard Holland in theApple TV+seriesSilo.

Early life

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Robbins was born inWest Covina, California,and raised inNew York City.His parents were Mary Cecelia (néeBledsoe), a musician,[3]andGilbert Lee Robbins,[4]a singer, actor, and manager ofThe Gaslight Cafe.[5][6][7]Robbins has two sisters, Adele and Gabrielle, and a brother, composerDavid Robbins.He was raised Catholic.[8][9]

Robbins moved toGreenwich Villagewith his family at a young age while his father pursued a career as a member of a folk music group calledThe Highwaymen.Robbins started performing in theater at age twelve and joined the drama club atStuyvesant High School(Class of 1976).[10]He spent two years atSUNY Plattsburghand then returned to California to study at theUCLA Film School,graduating with aBachelor of Artsdegree inDramain 1981.[11][12]

Career

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Robbins's acting career began atTheater for the New City,where he spent his teenage years in their Annual SummerStreet Theaterand also played the title role in a musical adaptation ofAntoine de Saint-Exupéry'sThe Little Prince.After graduation from college in 1981, Robbins founded theActors' Gang,an experimental theater group, in Los Angeles with actor friends from his collegesoftballteam, as well asJohn Cusack.

In 1982, he appeared as domestic terrorist Andrew Reinhardt in three episodes of the television programSt. Elsewhere.He had a small role in the filmNo Small Affair(1984), starringDemi Moore.In 1985, he guest-starred in the second episode of the television seriesMoonlighting,"Gunfight at the So-So Corral".He also took parts in films, such as the role of frat animal" Mother "inFraternity Vacation(1985) and Lt Sam "Merlin" Wells in the fighter pilot filmTop Gun(1986). He appeared onThe Love Boat,as a young version of one of the characters in retrospection about the Second World War. His breakthrough role was as pitcher Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh in thebaseballfilmBull Durham(1988), in which he co-starred withSusan SarandonandKevin Costner.

Robbins's amoral film executive inRobert Altman's filmThe Player(1992) was described byPeter TraversinRolling Stoneas "a classic performance, mining every comic and lethal nuance in the role of his career".[13]He won theBest Actor AwardatCannes.He made his directorial and screenwriting debut withBob Roberts(also 1992), amockumentaryabout a right-wingsenatorialcandidate.Todd McCarthyinVarietycommented that the film is "both a stimulating social satire and, for thinking people, a depressing commentary on the devolution of the American political system".[14]Robbins then starred alongsideMorgan FreemaninThe Shawshank Redemption(1994), which was based onStephen King'snovella.[15]

Tim Robbins at the 2008 Toronto International Film Festival

Robbins has written, produced, and directed several films with strong social content, such as the capital punishment sagaDead Man Walking(1995), starring Sarandon andSean Penn.The film earned him anOscarnomination forBest Director.According toRoger Ebertin early 1996: "With this film he leaps far beyond"Bob Roberts"and has made that rare thing, a film that is an exercise of philosophy. This is the kind of movie that spoils us for other films, because it reveals so starkly how most movies fall into conventional routine, and lull us with the reassurance that they will not look too hard, or probe too deeply, or make us think beyond the boundaries of what is comfortable".[16]

His next directorial effort wasDepression-era musicalCradle Will Rock(1999). Robbins has also appeared in mainstream Hollywood thrillers, such asArlington Road(also 1999) as a suspected terrorist andAntitrust(2001) as a malicious computertycoon,and in comical films such asThe Hudsucker Proxy(1994),Nothing to Lose(1997), andHigh Fidelity(2000). Robbins has also acted in and directed several Actors' Gang theater productions.

Robbins won theBest Supporting ActorOscar and theSAG Awardfor his work inMystic River(2003), as a mantraumatizedfrom having beenmolestedas a child. He followed his Oscar-win with roles as a temporarily blind man who is nursed to health by a psychologically wounded young woman inThe Secret Life of Words(2005) and anapartheidtorturer inCatch a Fire(2006). As of 2006, he was the tallestAcademy Award-winning actor at 6 feet 5 inches (1.96 m).[17]

In early 2006, Robbins directed[18]an adaptation ofGeorge Orwell's novel1984,written by Michael Gene Sullivan[19]of theTony Award-winningSan Francisco Mime Troupe.The production opened atActors' Gang,at their new location at The Ivy Substation inCulver City,California. In addition to venues around the United States, it has played inAthens, Greece,the Melbourne International Festival in Australia and theHong Kong Arts Festival.Robbins was soon considering a film adaptation.[20]

Robbins appeared inThe Lucky Ones,with co-starRachel McAdamsas well asCity of Ember(both 2008). Robbins next film role was as Senator Hammond, the disapproving father of the film's villainHector Hammond,in the superhero filmGreen Lantern(2011).[21]

Robbins at the2012 Toronto International Film Festival

Robbins released the albumTim Robbins & The Rogues Gallery Band(2010), a collection of songs written over the course of 25 years that he ultimately took on a world tour. He was originally offered the chance to record an album in 1992 after the success of his filmBob Roberts,but he declined because he had "too much respect for the process", having seen his father work so hard as a musician, and because he felt he had nothing to say at the time.[22]

Robbins directed two episodes of theHBOseriesTreme.The series follows the interconnected lives of a group of New Orleanians in the wake ofHurricane Katrina.He helmed the episodes "Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky" in Season 2 (2011) and "Promised Land" in Season 3 (2012).[23][24]Robbins became interested in the show while staying inNew Orleansduring the filming ofGreen Lantern."I had the unique experience of watchingTremewith locals. It resonated for me immediately, and it resonated for them as well, because they have seen their town get misinterpreted and represented in ridiculous ways, "he toldThe Times-Picayunein 2011. "Something about this show was different for them. I appreciated that. I loved the writing and the actors. I loved the environment it's set in. I watched the whole first season in New Orleans, and got in touch withDavid Simonand said, 'If you guys need a director next year, I'd be happy to do an episode.' "[25]

In 2013, he was a member of the jury at the63rd Berlin International Film Festival.[26]

In fall of 2024, Robbins and theActors' Gangpresented a production of his play 'Topsy Turvy - Ramazuri' at theCsokonai National TheatreinDebrecen.[27]

Personal life

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In 1988, Robbins began a relationship with actressSusan Sarandon,whom he met on the set ofBull Durham.They have two sons: John "Jack" Henry (b. May 15, 1989) andMiles Robbins(b. May 4, 1992). Sarandon, like Robbins, is alapsed Catholic,[28]and they shareliberalpolitical views. Robbins's relationship with Sarandon ended in December 2009.[29]

Robbins marriedGratiela Brancusion February 1, 2017. They split on July 1, 2020. News of the marriage was kept private[30][31]until Robbins filed for divorce in January 2021.[32]The divorce was finalized in 2022.[33]

Political views

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Robbins supportedRalph Nader's2000 presidential campaignand appeared on stage in character as Bob Roberts during the "Nader Rocks the Garden" rally atMadison Square Garden.[34]In December 2007, Robbins campaigned forSenatorJohn Edwardsin the2008 U.S. presidential election.[35]He made critical statements againstHillary Clintonand theDemocratic Leadership Councilwhile introducingBernie Sandersat a 2016 campaign stop.[36]

Robbins opposed the2003 invasion of Iraq.In 2003, a 15th anniversary celebration ofBull Durhamat theNational Baseball Hall of Famewas canceled by Hall of Fame PresidentDale Petroskey.Petroskey told Robbins that his stance helped to "undermine the U.S. position, which could put our troops in even more danger".[37]Durhamco-starKevin Costnerdefended Robbins and Sarandon: "I think Tim and Susan's courage is the type of courage that makes our democracy work. Pulling back this invite is against the whole principle about what we fight for and profess to be about."[37]

In 2023, Robbins criticizedCOVID-19 lockdowns,arguing they underminedfreedom of speechandfreedom of assembly.Robbins added that his villainous character in the television seriesSilo,a "leader who crushes any dissent or protest with swift violence", was inspired by pro-lockdown politicians.[38]

Filmography

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Main article:Tim Robbins filmography

Awards and nominations

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Main article:List of awards and nominations received by Tim Robbins

References

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  1. ^"Tim Robbins".Front Row.September 2, 2010.BBC Radio 4.RetrievedJanuary 18,2014.
  2. ^Jason Ankeny (2008)."Tim Robbins".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon March 29, 2008.RetrievedAugust 14,2010.
  3. ^"Tim Robbins' Mother, Musician Mary Robbins, Dies Days After Her Husband".The Hollywood Reporter.April 19, 2011.RetrievedAugust 24,2021.
  4. ^Grimes, William (April 9, 2011)."Gil Robbins, Folk Musician, Dies at 80".The New York Times.
  5. ^"Folk singer Gil Robbins dies at 80".CBC News.April 11, 2011.RetrievedApril 14,2011.
  6. ^"Tim Robbins Biography".RetrievedNovember 1,2007.
  7. ^"Ancestry of Tim Robbins".RetrievedNovember 1,2007.
  8. ^Rose, Charlie (February 8, 1996)."Tim Robbins Interview".PBS.RetrievedMay 9,2010.:(Commentary with Tim Robbins saying; "Yes. We, we met. And I was raised a Catholic, so I have a whole other perception of nuns than, than the one that Sister Helen gave me." )
  9. ^Wattenberg, Daniel (March 19, 2001)."No Nukes — how director Tim Robbins incorporates conspiracy into plots of his films".National Review.Archived fromthe originalon November 26, 2004.
  10. ^"Inside the Actors Studio — Guests — Tim Robbins".Bravo.December 5, 1999. Archived fromthe originalon August 4, 2007.RetrievedNovember 1,2007.
  11. ^Jason Ankeny (2008)."Tim Robbins".Movies & TV Dept.The New York Times.Archived fromthe originalon March 29, 2008.RetrievedAugust 23,2009.
  12. ^"Notable Alumni Actors".UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Archived fromthe originalon October 6, 2014.RetrievedSeptember 29,2014.
  13. ^"Tim Robbins' Roles to Remember".Variety.October 8, 2008.RetrievedMay 19,2019.
  14. ^McCarthy, Todd (May 13, 1992)."Bob Roberts".Variety.RetrievedMay 19,2019.
  15. ^Sharf, Zack (November 20, 2014)."'Shawshank' Secrets Revealed: Frank Darabont, Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman Reveal All at 20th Anniversary Screening | IndieWire ".indiewire.RetrievedSeptember 7,2017.
  16. ^Ebert, Roger (January 12, 1996)."Reviews:Dead Man Walking".rogerebert.RetrievedMay 19,2019.
  17. ^"Mr. Smarty Pants Knows".austinchronicle.
  18. ^"1984".Archived fromthe originalon July 3, 2007.RetrievedNovember 1,2007.
  19. ^"Velina Brown and Michael Gene Sullivan".RetrievedNovember 1,2007.
  20. ^Morris, Clint (January 15, 2006)."Tim Robbins returns to 1984".Archived fromthe originalon June 22, 2008.RetrievedNovember 1,2007.
  21. ^"Tim Robbins plays villain's dad in" Green Lantern "".Reuters. February 9, 2010.
  22. ^Wilks, Jon(August 15, 2011)."Tim Robbins: the interview".TimeOut Tokyo.Archived fromthe originalon September 27, 2011.RetrievedAugust 15,2011.
  23. ^Phipps, Keith (May 2, 2011)."Treme:" Everything I Do Gonh Be Funky "".The A.V. Club.RetrievedJune 21,2024.
  24. ^Phipps, Keith (November 5, 2012)."Treme:" Promised Land "".The A.V. Club.RetrievedJune 21,2024.
  25. ^Walker, Dave (May 1, 2011).Tim Robbins immersed himself in New Orleans culture before directing Sunday's episode of 'Treme'.The Times-Picayune.Retrieved August 28, 2013.
  26. ^"The International Jury 2013".Berlinale.January 28, 2013. Archived fromthe originalon March 1, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 28,2013.
  27. ^"TIM ROBBINS: Topsy Turvy – Ramazuri".Csokonai Nemzeti Színház.August 21, 2024.
  28. ^"Labor of Love: With Dead Man Walking, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins Go From Oscar Outlaws to Golden Couple by Rebecca Ascher-Walsh".Entertainment Weekly.March 22, 1996. Archived fromthe originalon December 22, 2002.
  29. ^Longtime couple Sarandon, Robbins have splitArchivedAugust 22, 2014, at theWayback Machinemsnbc.November 23, 2009
  30. ^Kirkpatrick, Emily (January 28, 2021)."Tim Robbins's Divorce Ends a Marriage No One Even Knew Had Happened".Vanity Fair.RetrievedJune 25,2021.
  31. ^Rice, Nicholas (February 3, 2021)."Tim Robbins Was Secretly Married to Gratiela Brancusi for Over 3 Years, Divorce Documents Reveal".People.RetrievedJune 25,2021.
  32. ^"Tim Robbins Was Secretly Married to Gratiela Brancusi for Over 3 Years, Divorce Documents Reveal".nz.news.yahoo.February 3, 2021.RetrievedMay 17,2021.
  33. ^Whitaker, Sterling (August 30, 2022)."'1883' Star Gratiela Brancusi Settles Divorce From Tim Robbins ".Taste of Country.RetrievedJanuary 29,2023.1883 star Gratiela Brancusi and Hollywood superstar Tim Robbins have finalized their divorce after two years, according to reports.
  34. ^Bob Roberts at Madison Square Garden,Youtube
  35. ^"Political Punch".Blogs.abcnews. December 9, 2007. Archived fromthe originalon April 20, 2010.RetrievedMarch 26,2010.
  36. ^Daleno, Gaynor Dumat-ol (April 7, 2016)."Tim Robbins apologizes for joke about Guam at Sanders rally".USA Today.RetrievedOctober 24,2017.
  37. ^ab"Tim Robbins: Hall of Fame violates freedom".The Age.Melbourne. April 13, 2003.RetrievedNovember 1,2007.
  38. ^Hays, Gabriel (April 27, 2023)."'Shawshank Redemption' star Tim Robbins rips 'lack of freedom of assembly,' speech that COVID mandates brought ".Fox News.
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