biography
Born Joseph William Robinson Harle in Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England on May 31, 1927, actor and stuntman Joe Robinson was an athletic youth who set his sights on a
career in wrestling. His father and grandfather had also been wrestlers, and his brother Doug was also. Billed as Tiger Joe Robinson, the 6'2" wrestler was a fan favorite and won
the European Heavyweight Championship in 1952. Not envisioning a long career as a wrestler, Robinson suffered a serious back injury in the ring and decided to switch to acting and
studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After some stage work, he landed his first film role in the comedy A Kid for
Two Farthings (1955; with Diana Dors). Robinson portrayed Sam, a wrestler who must defeat Python Macklin, played by Primo Carnera. Often playing a heavy,
Robinson also did quite a bit of stuntwork throughout his acting career.For the next ten years, Robinson acted in films and sometimes worked as a stuntman. His first starring role came in Taur the Mighty (1960; with Bella Cortez and Harry Baird). Originally, this film was to be released as an unauthorized Tarzan film, but the estate of Edgar Rice Burroughs threatened to halt its release, citing copyright infringement. Writer/director Antonio Leonviola then renamed Robinson's character Taur to ensure the film's release. Thor and the Amazon Women (1963) was a follow-up to Taur the Mighty. He was also quite accomplished at judo; along with his brother, Doug Robinson, he taught Goldfinger actress Honor Blackman this self-defense tactic during her tenure on The Avengers. All three were featured in the 1964 publication Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence. Robinson has another connection to the James Bond films, as he portrayed Peter Franks in Diamonds Are Forever (1971; with Sean Connery and Lana Wood). |
the films of joe robinsonA Kid for Two Farthings (1955)   From the comedy/drama A Kid for Two Farthings. LEFT and CENTER: With Diana Dors. RIGHT: Joe Robinson wrestles Primo CarneraThe Flesh Is Weak (1957)
With John Derek in the prostitution expose The Flesh Is WeakTaur the Mighty (1960)    
From the Italian-made actioner Taur the Mighty. LEFT and CENTER A: Robinson as Taur. CENTER B, CENTER C, and RIGHT: With Harry BairdBarabbas (1961)
With Anthony Quinn in the epic BarabbasUrsus and the Tartar Princess (1961) 
As Ursus in the adventure Ursus and the Tartar Princess, released in the U.S. by Medallion PicturesThor and the Amazon Women (1963)  
LEFT and CENTER: Robinson as Thor in the Italian adventure Thor and the Amazon Women. RIGHT: With Harry BairdDoctor in Distress (1963)
Mylene Demongeot socks Joe Robinson in the comedy Doctor in DistressDiamonds Are Forever (1971)  
With Sean Connery in the 007 thriller Diamonds Are Foreverlater yearsIn the mid 1960s, Robinson decided to quit acting to concentrate on his business interests and his gymnasium in Britain, coming of retirement for the role of Peter Franks in Diamonds Are Forever in 1971. Sadly, Joe Robinson passed away after a short illness on July 3, 2017, at the age of 90. He was survived by his brothers Doug and Norman. |
filmographyFILM
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This page premiered August 25, 2000.
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