Edward G. Robinson Jr. was the son of one of the most iconic actors in Hollywood history, Edward G. Robinson, who starred in classic films such as Little Caesar, Double Indemnity, and The Ten Commandments. But unlike his father, who enjoyed a long and successful career, Robinson Jr. struggled with personal and professional issues that led to his premature death at the age of 40.
Early Life and Career
Robinson Jr. was born on March 19, 1933 in Los Angeles, California, as the only son of Edward G. Robinson and his wife Gladys Lloyd. He had a sister, Francesca, who was adopted by the couple in 1934. Robinson Jr. grew up in a privileged environment, surrounded by celebrities and luxury. He attended prestigious schools such as Harvard-Westlake School and Beverly Hills High School.
Robinson Jr. followed his father’s footsteps and pursued an acting career, making his debut in the 1952 film Invasion U.S.A., a Cold War thriller about a Soviet attack on America. He appeared in 23 films and television series, mostly in supporting roles or as a villain. Some of his notable credits include Screaming Eagles (1956), Bus Stop (1956), Some Like It Hot (1959), Wagon Train (1960), Laramie (1961), Gunsmoke (1962), and Markham (1960-1961).
In 1958, Robinson Jr. published his autobiography, My Father, My Son, co-written with William Dufty, in which he revealed his troubled relationship with his father and his struggles with alcoholism and drug addiction. He also claimed that he had affairs with several famous actresses, such as Marilyn Monroe, Kim Novak, and Jayne Mansfield.
Personal Problems and Legal Troubles
Robinson Jr.’s personal life was marred by instability and controversy. He married three times and had two children: Francesca, from his first marriage to Frances Chisholm (1952-1955), and Shawn, from a paternity suit filed by secretary Lucille Kass in 1968.
Robinson Jr. was arrested several times for various offenses, such as drunk driving, assault, burglary, and possession of narcotics. He also faced lawsuits from creditors and former wives for unpaid debts and alimony. He spent time in jail and in rehabilitation centers, but failed to overcome his addictions.
Death and Legacy
Robinson Jr.’s health declined in the early 1970s due to his long battle with alcoholism. On February 26, 1974, he was found unconscious by his third wife, Nan Elizabeth Morris, in their West Hollywood home. He was pronounced dead of a heart attack at the age of 40. He was buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery.
Robinson Jr.’s death came only one year after the death of his father, who died of bladder cancer on January 26, 1973 at the age of 79. The father and son had reconciled shortly before the elder Robinson’s death, after years of estrangement.
Robinson Jr.’s life story was portrayed in several films and documentaries, such as The Edward G. Robinson Story (1973), My Father’s House (1975), Hollywood Babylon (1982), Blonde (2001), and The Sons of Edward G Robinson (2019). In the 2022 Netflix film Blonde, based on the novel by Joyce Carol Oates about the life of Marilyn Monroe, Robinson Jr. was played by Evan Williams.
Robinson Jr.’s legacy is overshadowed by his father’s fame and his own troubles, but he remains a part of Hollywood history as a tragic figure who could not escape the shadow of his legendary parent.
: According to Wikipedia : According to IMDb : According to NNDB : According to The Hollywood Reporter
