Tim Robbins

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21 Feb 2024

Tim Robbins

Timothy Francis Robbins was born on October 16, 1958. He is an American actor, director, and producer, best known for his versatile performances in a range of films.
One of Robbins's most iconic roles was as Andy Dufresne in the critically acclaimed film "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994). He also delivered a memorable performance as Jacob Singer in "Jacob's Ladder" (1990). Robbins received both an Academy Award and a Golden Globe award for his role in "Mystic River" (2003), and another Golden Globe for his performance in "The Player" (1992).

Robbins has showcased his acting prowess in various other films, including portraying Lt. Samuel "Merlin" Wells in "Top Gun" (1986), Nuke LaLoosh in "Bull Durham" (1988), Erik in "Erik the Viking" (1989), Ed Walters in "I.Q." (1994), Nick Beam in "Nothing to Lose" (1997), and Senator Robert Hammond in "Green Lantern" (2011).

In addition to his acting career, Robbins has made significant contributions as a director. He directed the films "Bob Roberts" (1992) and "Dead Man Walking" (1995), both of which received critical acclaim. Robbins received an Academy Award nomination for Best Director for his work on "Dead Man Walking."

On television, Robbins has portrayed Secretary of State Walter Larson in the HBO comedy "The Brink" (2015), and portrayed Greg Boatwright in "Here and Now" (2018). In 2023, he starred as Bernard Holland in the Apple TV+ series "Silo."

Timothy Francis Robbins was born in West Covina, California, and grew up in New York City. His parents, Mary Cecelia (née Bledsoe) and Gilbert Lee Robbins, were both involved in the arts, with his father being a singer, actor, and manager of The Gaslight Cafe. Robbins has two sisters, Adele and Gabrielle, and a brother, composer David Robbins. Raised in a Catholic household, Robbins developed an early interest in performing arts.
At the age of twelve, Robbins began performing in theater and became involved in the drama club at Stuyvesant High School, graduating in the Class of 1976. Afterward, he spent two years at SUNY Plattsburgh before returning to California to attend the UCLA Film School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama from UCLA in 1981, laying the foundation for his future career in acting and filmmaking.

Tim Robbins's acting journey commenced at Theater for the New City, where he spent his teenage years participating in their Annual Summer Street Theater. He also landed the title role in a musical adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's "The Little Prince." After graduating from college in 1981, Robbins co-founded the Actors' Gang, an experimental theater group based in Los Angeles, along with some actor friends from his college softball team, including John Cusack.

In 1982, he portrayed domestic terrorist Andrew Reinhardt in three episodes of the television series "St. Elsewhere." Following this, he had a minor role in the film "No Small Affair" (1984), which starred Demi Moore. Robbins guest-starred in the second episode of the television series "Moonlighting" in 1985, titled "Gunfight at the So-So Corral." He also appeared in films such as "Fraternity Vacation" (1985), where he played the role of frat animal "Mother," and "Top Gun" (1986), portraying Lt. Sam "Merlin" Wells, a fighter pilot.

His breakthrough role came in the baseball film "Bull Durham" (1988), where he portrayed pitcher Ebby Calvin "Nuke" LaLoosh alongside Susan Sarandon and Kevin Costner. Robbins's portrayal of an amoral film executive in Robert Altman's "The Player" (1992) was highly acclaimed, earning him the Best Actor Award at Cannes. He then made his directorial and screenwriting debut with "Bob Roberts" (also 1992), a mockumentary about a right-wing senatorial candidate. His performance alongside Morgan Freeman in "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994), based on Stephen King's novella, further solidified his reputation as a versatile and talented actor.

Tim Robbins has demonstrated his versatility in the entertainment industry as a writer, producer, director, and actor. His directorial projects often tackle important social issues, exemplified by the capital punishment drama "Dead Man Walking" (1995), starring Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn. The film earned Robbins an Oscar nomination for Best Director and was praised for its thought-provoking exploration of philosophy, according to Roger Ebert.

Following this success, Robbins directed the Depression-era musical "Cradle Will Rock" (1999). He has also showcased his acting skills in mainstream Hollywood thrillers like "Arlington Road" (1999) and "Antitrust" (2001), as well as comedic films such as "The Hudsucker Proxy" (1994), "Nothing to Lose" (1997), and "High Fidelity" (2000). Additionally, Robbins has been involved in several Actors' Gang theater productions, both as an actor and director.

He won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar and the SAG Award for his performance in "Mystic River" (2003), where he portrayed a man grappling with trauma from childhood abuse. Robbins continued to impress with roles in films like "The Secret Life of Words" (2005) and "Catch a Fire" (2006).

In 2006, Robbins directed an adaptation of George Orwell's novel "1984," which garnered acclaim and toured internationally. He also appeared in films such as "The Lucky Ones" and "City of Ember" (both 2008), followed by a role as Senator Hammond in the superhero film "Green Lantern" (2011).

In addition to his work in film and television, Tim Robbins has ventured into the music industry. He released the album "Tim Robbins & The Rogues Gallery Band" in 2010, featuring songs he had written over a span of 25 years. Robbins took the album on a world tour, showcasing his talents as a musician. Interestingly, he had been offered the opportunity to record an album back in 1992 after the success of his film "Bob Roberts," but he declined at the time, citing his respect for the music-making process and feeling that he had nothing significant to express.

Robbins also delved into directing for television, helming two episodes of the HBO series "Treme." The show, which explores the lives of New Orleanians in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, resonated deeply with Robbins, especially as he experienced it alongside locals in New Orleans while filming "Green Lantern." He expressed admiration for the show's portrayal of the city and its inhabitants, leading him to reach out to the creators and offer his directorial services.
Furthermore, Robbins served as a member of the jury at the 63rd Berlin International Film Festival in 2013, showcasing his commitment to the world of cinema beyond his own projects.