biography

Joe Robinson 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.

Joe Robinson and Honor BlackmanDoug Robinson and Honor BlackmanDoug Robinson and Honor Blackman

LEFT: Joe Robinson with Honor Blackman. CENTER and RIGHT: Doug Robinson with Honor Blackman

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 robinson

A Kid for Two Farthings (1955)


Joe Robinson and Diana DorsJoe Robinson and Diana DorsJoe Robinson

From the comedy/drama A Kid for Two Farthings. LEFT and CENTER: With Diana Dors. RIGHT: Joe Robinson wrestles Primo Carnera


The Flesh Is Weak (1957)


Joe Robinson and John Derek

With John Derek in the prostitution expose The Flesh Is Weak

Taur the Mighty (1960)


Joe RobinsonJoe RobinsonJoe Robinson and Harry BairdJoe Robinson and Harry BairdJoe Robinson and Harry Baird

From the Italian-made actioner Taur the Mighty. LEFT and CENTER A: Robinson as Taur. CENTER B, CENTER C, and RIGHT: With Harry Baird

Barabbas (1961)


Anthony Quinn and Joe Robinson

With Anthony Quinn in the epic Barabbas

Ursus and the Tartar Princess (1961)


Joe RobinsonJoe Robinson

As Ursus in the adventure Ursus and the Tartar Princess, released in the U.S. by Medallion Pictures

Thor and the Amazon Women (1963)


Joe RobinsonJoe RobinsonJoe Robinson and Harry Baird

LEFT and CENTER: Robinson as Thor in the Italian adventure Thor and the Amazon Women. RIGHT: With Harry Baird

Doctor in Distress (1963)


Mylene Demongeot and Joe Robinson

Mylene Demongeot socks Joe Robinson in the comedy Doctor in Distress

Diamonds Are Forever (1971)

Joe Robinson and Sean ConneryJoe Robinson and Sean ConneryJoe Robinson and Sean Connery

With Sean Connery in the 007 thriller Diamonds Are Forever

later years

In 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.

filmography

FILM
Diamonds Are Forever (1971) with Sean Connery, Charles Gray, Jill St. John, and Lana Wood
Doctor in Distress (1963) with Dirk Bogarde, Samantha Eggar, and Mylene Demongeot
Erik the Conqueror (1963) with Cameron Mitchell and Raf Baldassarre
Thor and the Amazon Women (1963) with Harry Baird and Suzy Anderson
Barabbas (1962) with Anthony Quinn, Silvana Mangano, Katy Jurado, Vittorio Gassman, Jack Palance, and Ernest Borgnine
The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (1962) with Michael Redgrave
Ursus and the Tartar Princess (1962) with Yoko Tani
Carry On Regardless (1961)
The Bulldog Breed (1960)
Taur the Mighty (1960) with Harry Baird and Bella Cortez
The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll (1960)
Female Fiends (1958) with Lex Barker and Lisa Gastoni
Murder Reported (1958) with with Paul Carpenter, Georgia Brown, and Yvonne Romain
Sea Fury (1958) with Luciana Paluzzi
Fighting Mad (1957)
The Flesh is Weak (1957) with John Derek
Action Stations (1956)
A Kid for Two Farthings (1955) with Diana Dors and Lou Jacobi

TELEVISION GUEST APPEARANCES
The Avengers, episode November Five, originally aired 1963
The Saint, episode The Saint Plays with Fire, originally aired November 28, 1963

joe robinson film now showing

Watch Joe Robinson's 1963 film Thor and the Amazon Women
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This page premiered August 25, 2000.
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