Jason Nelson Robards Jr.
- Born:
- July 26, 1922, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Died:
- December 26, 2000, Bridgeport, Connecticut, USA
- Nationality:
- American
- Profession(s):
- Actor (Stage, Film, Television)
Early Life and Education
- Son of actor Jason Robards Sr. and Hope Maxine Glanville.
- Grew up primarily in Los Angeles, California.
- Served in the U.S. Navy during World War II.
- Attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts after the war.
Career and Major Achievements
- Began his acting career on stage in the late 1940s.
- Rose to prominence in Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of Eugene O'Neill plays.
- Won a Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for The Disenchanted (1959).
- Transitioned to film and television in the 1960s.
- Received consecutive Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for All the President's Men (1976) and Julia (1977).
- Considered one of the foremost interpreters of Eugene O'Neill's work.
Notable Works
Filmography (Selected)
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Long Day's Journey Into Night | Jamie Tyrone |
| 1968 | Once Upon a Time in the West | Cheyenne |
| 1971 | Johnny Got His Gun | Joe Bonham's Father |
| 1976 | All the President's Men | Ben Bradlee |
| 1977 | Julia | Dashiell Hammett |
| 1980 | Melvin and Howard | Howard Hughes |
| 1993 | Philadelphia | Charles Wheeler |
Stage Productions (Selected)
- The Iceman Cometh (1956, 1985)
- Long Day's Journey into Night (1956)
- Hughie (1964)
- A Moon for the Misbegotten (1973)
Legacy and Impact
Jason Robards was a highly respected and versatile performer, leaving a significant mark on both stage and screen. His interpretations of Eugene O'Neill's characters are considered definitive, and his contributions to American cinema earned him critical acclaim and multiple awards. This brief summary provides a starting point for exploring a full "jason robards actor biography".