Robinson, Edward G. (1893-1973), was an American motion-picture star known for his forceful roles in gangster films and in psychological dramas. Robinson’s movie career covered 50 years, beginning during the silent film era in Hollywood and extending to the year of his death.
Robinson became a star in Little Caesar (1931). His portrayal of the gangster Rico Bandello in that film was one of the most influential performances of the 1930’s and set the standard for the many crime movies that followed in that decade. Robinson starred in several powerful psychological dramas in the 1940’s, notably Flesh and Fantasy (1943), Double Indemnity (1944), The Woman in the Window (1944), Scarlet Street (1945), All My Sons (1948), and Key Largo (1948).
Robinson was born on Dec. 12, 1893, in Bucharest, Romania. His real name was Emanuel Goldenberg. He settled in the United States with his family at the age of 9. He changed his name to Edward G. (for Goldenberg) Robinson when he began appearing on the stage. He first performed on Broadway in 1915 and appeared there regularly for the next 15 years. Robinson made his motion-picture debut in The Bright Shawl (1923).
Robinson appeared in about 85 movies during his long career. His other major films include The Whole Town’s Talking (1934), A Slight Case of Murder (1938), The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938), Dr. Ehrlich’s Magic Bullet (1940), The Sea Wolf (1941), The Stranger (1946), House of Strangers (1949), Tight Spot (1955), The Ten Commandments (1956), Two Weeks in Another Town (1962), and The Cincinnati Kid (1965). Robinson wrote an autobiography, All My Yesterdays (1973). He was also an amateur painter and noted art collector. Robinson died on Jan. 26, 1973.
