Personal Info
Known For
Acting
Born
December 30, 1892
Died
April 4, 1963 (age 70)
Place of Birth
Hillsdale, Michigan, USA
Also Known As
Jason Nelson Robards
Jason Robards
Jason Robards Sr.
Biography
Famed American stage actor. Trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. Appeared in many films, initially as a leading man, then in character roles and occasional bits. Consistently billed as Jason Robards, as his more famous son, Jason Robards, did not come into fame until the end of the elder Robards' career. Only referred to as Jason Robards Sr. in retrospect. Died in 1963, having lived to see his namesake son and grandson (Jason Robards III) carry on the family acting tradition.
Known For
Film
Cipher Bureau
Ellsworth
1938
TV
Leave It to Beaver
1957
TV
The Barbara Stanwyck Show
Rupert Willis
1960
Film
Bedlam
Oliver Todd
1946
TV
Acapulco
Max
1961
TV
General Electric Theater
Sam Brady
1953
TV
General Electric Theater
L.P. Kerner
1953
TV
General Electric Theater
Judge
1953
Film
Riff-Raff
Mr. Domingues
1947
Film
Juarez
(uncredited)
1939
Film
Dick Tracy
Motorist (uncredited)
1945
Film
Broadway Bill
Arthur Winslow
1934
Film
San Francisco
Father (uncredited)
1936
Film
Cockeyed Cavaliers
Tavern Singer
1934
Film
Thunder Mountain
Jim Gardner
1947
Film
Employees' Entrance
Commercial Artist (uncredited)
1933
Film
Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
John Retch
1948
Film
Under the Tonto Rim
Captain McLean
1947
Film
The Kansan
Bank Teller
1943
Film
Born to Kill
Conductor (uncredited)
1947
Filmography
1961FilmWild in the Countryas Judge Tom Parker (uncredited)1961TVAcapulcoas Max1960TVThe Barbara Stanwyck Showas Rupert Willis1958FilmThe Notorious Mr. Monksas Judge (uncredited)1957TVLeave It to Beaver1953TVGeneral Electric Theateras Sam Brady1950FilmThe Second Womanas Stacy Rogers1950FilmWestern Pacific Agentas Train Passenger (uncredited)1949FilmThe Threatas Police Fingerprint Technician (uncredited)1949FilmHorsemen of the Sierrasas Phineas Grant1949FilmFeudin' Rhythmas Mr. Rushman (uncredited)1949FilmPost Office Investigatoras Henry Hand1949FilmMasked Raidersas Captain of Texas Rangers (uncredited)1949FilmSouth of Death Valleyas Major Porter Mullen (uncredited)1949FilmMassacre Riveras Lawyer Johnstone (uncredited)1949FilmRimfireas Elkins (Banker)1949FilmImpactas Judge1949FilmRiders of the Whistling Pinesas Charles Carter (uncredited)1949FilmAlaska Patrolas Dr. Loring1949FilmDynamiteas Hook (Quarry Superintendent) (uncredited)1948FilmSmoky Mountain Melodyas Josh Corby1948FilmSon of God’s Countryas John Thornton1948FilmRace Streetas Apartment Desk Clerk (uncredited)1948FilmReturn of the Bad Menas Judge Harper1948FilmGuns of Hateas Ben Jason1948FilmShed No Tearsas Homicide Inspector (Uncredited)1948FilmFighting Father Dunneas J.J. Sonin1948FilmMr. Blandings Builds His Dream Houseas John Retch1948FilmWestern Heritageas Judge Winston1948FilmIf You Knew Susieas Ogleby (uncredited)1947FilmThe Judge Steps Outas Police Officer Maloney (uncredited)1947FilmWild Horse Mesaas Hod Slack1947FilmDick Tracy Meets Gruesomeas Bank Officer (uncredited)1947FilmUnder the Tonto Rimas Captain McLean1947FilmRiff-Raffas Mr. Domingues1947FilmDesperateas Ferrari1947FilmSeven Keys to Baldpateas Hayden1947FilmThunder Mountainas Jim Gardner1947FilmDick Tracy's Dilemmaas Hawks (uncredited)1947FilmBanjoas Conductor Matthews (uncredited)1947FilmBorn to Killas Conductor (uncredited)1947FilmA Likely Storyas Cop (uncredited)1947FilmThe Farmer's Daughteras Night Editor (uncredited)1947FilmCode of the Westas Morley (uncredited)1947FilmTrail Streetas Jason1947FilmDo or Dietas Boss1947FilmFollow That Music1946FilmThe Falcon's Adventureas Lieutenant Evans1946FilmVacation in Renoas Sheriff Johnson1946FilmDick Tracy vs. Cueballas Captain (uncredited)1946FilmCriminal Courtas Al Marsh (uncredited)1946FilmTraffic with the Devilas Irate Motorist (uncredited)1946FilmStep by Stepas Bruckner1946FilmI'll Take Milk1946FilmThe Bamboo Blondeas Colonel Graham (uncredited)1946FilmBedlamas Oliver Todd1946FilmTwin Husbandsas Dorothy's Attorney1946FilmBadman's Territoryas Alert Coffeyville Citizen (uncredited)1946FilmDing Dong Williamsas Director Kenmore1946FilmThe Falcon's Alibias Harvey Beaumont1946FilmDeadline at Dawnas Policeman with Liquor Bottle (uncredited)1945FilmDick Tracyas Motorist (uncredited)1945FilmA Game of Deathas Captain1945FilmMan Aliveas Henry Fletcher1945FilmJohnny Angelas Officer (uncredited)1945FilmIsle of the Deadas Albrecht1945FilmThe Falcon in San Franciscoas Loomis, Butler (uncredited)1945FilmWhat, No Cigarettesas Policeman1945FilmIt Shouldn't Happen to a Dog1945FilmWanderer of the Wastelandas Crooked Dealer1945FilmZombies on Broadwayas Headwaiter (uncredited)1945FilmBetrayal from the Eastas Charlie Hildebrand1944FilmMusic in Manhattanas Hotel Desk Clerk (uncredited)1944FilmMademoiselle Fifias A Wholesaler in Wine1944FilmBermuda Mysteryas Mark Dunham1943FilmThe Kansanas Bank Teller1942FilmSilver Queenas Bank Teller (uncredited)1941FilmSan Antonio Roseas Man at Radio Station1940FilmThe Green Hornet Strikes Again!as Foley's Bodyguard1940FilmThe Howards of Virginiaas Backwoodsman (uncredited)1940FilmI Love You Againas Worker with Hendrickson Account (uncredited)1940FilmGangs of Chicago1940FilmHalf a Sinneras Country Club Garage Man1940FilmThe Fatal Houras Griswold1939FilmZorro's Fighting Legionas Cantina Proprietor1939FilmThe Mad Empressas President Benito Juarez1939FilmDanger Flightas Paul Smith1939FilmSky Patrolas Paul Smith - Three Points Airfield Owner1939FilmRange Waras Rancher1939FilmI Stole a Millionas Bank Teller (uncredited)1939FilmStunt Pilotas Paul Smith1939FilmJuarezas (uncredited)1939FilmRadio Hamsas Pilot in distress1939FilmMystery Planeas Paul Smith1939FilmScouts to the Rescueas Doc1939FilmThe Long Shotas Doctor1938FilmCipher Bureauas Ellsworth1938FilmFlight to Fameas Muller1938FilmWoman Against Womanas Mr. Roamer1938FilmThe Rage of Parisas Department Head (uncredited)1938FilmThe Nurse from Brooklynas Surgeon1937FilmClipped Wingsas Raoul McGuire1937FilmThe Fireflyas Civilian Spanish Patriot (uncredited)1937FilmVogues of 1938as Reporter1937FilmSweetheart of the Navyas Bumper1937FilmTorture Moneyas Alex Carmathy (uncredited)1936FilmLaughing at Troubleas Clerk of Court1936FilmThe Luckiest Girl in the World1936FilmSan Franciscoas Father (uncredited)1936FilmRobin Hood of El Doradoas Pancho1935FilmThe Fighting Marinesas Kota1935FilmThe Last Days of Pompeiias Tax Gatherer (uncredited)1935FilmI Live My Lifeas Church (Uncredited)1935FilmLadies Crave Excitementas Nick1935FilmBreak of Heartsas Ticket-Seller (uncredited)1935FilmVagabond Ladyas John’s Best Man (uncredited)1935FilmThe Miracle Rideras Carlton1934FilmBroadway Billas Arthur Winslow1934FilmThe President Vanishesas Kilbourne1934FilmCrimson Romanceas Pierre1934FilmTake the Standas Joe Reynolds1934FilmCockeyed Cavaliersas Tavern Singer1934FilmBurn 'Em Up Barnesas John Drummond1934FilmThe Woman Condemnedas Jim Wallace1934FilmWoman Unafraidas Big Bill Lewis1934FilmThe Super Snooper1934FilmAll of Meas Man in Speakeasy (uncredited)1934FilmPublic Stenographeras Fred 'Freddie' White1933FilmCarnival Ladyas Jim Ryan1933FilmOnly Yesterdayas Investor (Uncredited)1933FilmThe Way to Loveas Guide1933FilmDamaged Livesas Dr. Bill Hall1933FilmShip of Wanted Menas John Craig1933FilmThe Devil's Mateas Clinton1933FilmCorruptionas Police Commissioner1933FilmEmployees' Entranceas Commercial Artist (uncredited)1932FilmA Strange Adventureas Dr. Bailey1932FilmThe Conquerorsas Lane1932FilmThe Pride of the Legionas Moran1932FilmSlightly Marriedas Jack Haines1932FilmWhite Eagleas Dave Rand1932FilmKlondikeas Jim Armstrong1932FilmUnholy Loveas Simmington1932FilmDocks of San Franciscoas John Banning1932FilmUnion Depotas Station Agent (uncredited)1932FilmDiscarded Loversas Rex Forsythe1931FilmThe Law of the Tongas Charlie Wong1931FilmTrappedas Detective Lt. Jack Reed1931FilmCaught Plasteredas Harry Waters1931FilmEx-Bad Boyas Roger Shields1931FilmSalvation Nellas Major Williams1931FilmSubway Expressas Paul Bordon1931FilmCharlie Chan Carries Onas Walter Honeywood1930FilmLightnin'as Raymond Thomas1930FilmAbraham Lincolnas Herndon1930FilmThe Jazz Cinderellaas Herbert Carter1930FilmSistersas John Shannon1930FilmCrazy That Wayas Frank Oakes1930FilmTriflesas George Henderson1930FilmPeacock Alleyas Jim Bradbury1929FilmParisas Andrew Sabbot1929FilmThe Isle of Lost Shipsas Frank Howard1929FilmThe Gamblersas Carvel Emerson1929FilmThe Flying Marineas Mitch Moran1929FilmTrial Marriageas Dr. Thorvald Ware1929FilmSome Mother's Boyas The Boy1928FilmOn Trialas Defense Attorney1928FilmThe Death Shipas Tom - The First Mate1927FilmStreets of Shanghaias Eugene Fong1927FilmWild Geeseas Mark Jordan1927FilmPolly of the Moviesas Angus Whitcomb1927FilmJaws of Steelas John Warren1927FilmThe Heart of Marylandas Maj. Alan Kendrick1927FilmIrish Heartsas Rory1927FilmTracked by the Policeas Bob Owen1927FilmWhite Flannelsas Frank Politz1927FilmHills of Kentuckyas Steve Harley1926FilmThe Third Degreeas Howard Jeffries Jr.1926FilmFootloose Widowsas J.A. "Jerry" Smith1926FilmThe Cohens and Kellysas Tim Kelly1925FilmStella Marisas Walter Herold1921FilmThe Land of Hopeas Sascha Rabinoff1921FilmThe Gilded Lilyas Frank Thompson—FilmLet's Go Stepping