Joe Robinson (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Joe Robinson
Joe Robinson as Thor in Thor and the Amazon Women
Born	Joseph Robinson (1927-05-31)31 May 1927 Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England
Died	3 July 2017(2017-07-03) (aged 90) Brighton, East Sussex, England
Alma mater	Royal Academy of Dramatic Art
Occupation	Actor, stuntman
Years active	1952–1971

Joseph Robinson (born May 31, 1927 – died July 3, 2017) was an English actor and stuntman. He was born in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. Joe came from a family of strong athletes. His father and grandfather were both champion professional wrestlers. His brother, Doug Robinson, also became an actor and stuntman.

Joe Robinson's Amazing Career

Becoming a Professional Wrestler

Joe Robinson started his career as a professional wrestler. He was known as 'Tiger Joe Robinson'. In 1952, he won the European Heavyweight Championship. At the same time, he was also very interested in acting. He studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. After hurting his back during a wrestling match in Paris, he decided to focus on acting instead.

Joe Robinson's daughter, Polly Robinson, also continued the family's love for martial arts. She won junior Judo championships in the 1980s.

Acting in Films and TV

Joe Robinson's first acting job was in a fitness documentary called Fit as a Fiddle. This was in 1952. That same year, he acted in a musical called Wish You Were Here in London.

His first movie role was in 1955 in A Kid for Two Farthings. In this film, he wrestled against a famous boxer named Primo Carnera. Joe's film and TV career really grew in the 1960s. In 1962, he appeared in the British movie The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. He also had roles in popular TV shows like The Saint and The Avengers in 1963.

Joe was also a champion in Judo and had a black belt in Karate. In 1965, he helped write a book called Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence. He wrote it with his younger brother Doug and actress Honor Blackman. The next year, a TV show called Pardon the Expression even mentioned this book.

During this time, Joe was also a popular stunt coordinator. He worked on several James Bond movies. In 1960, he went to Rome, Italy. There, he acted in five Italian movies where he played strong, muscular characters. These included Taur the Mighty (1963), Thor and the Amazon Women (1963), and Ursus and the Tartar Princess (1961). He also appeared in the British comedy Carry On Regardless in 1961.

Joe Robinson's last big movie role was in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever. He played a diamond smuggler named Peter Franks. Joe said that James Bond actor Sean Connery suggested him for the role.

Life After Acting

Joe Robinson stopped acting and moved to Brighton, England. There, he opened a martial arts center. He taught classes in Wadō-ryū style karate and Judo.

In 1998, when Joe was 68 years old, he made headlines for something amazing. He was attacked by a group of at least eight muggers in Cape Town, South Africa. They had baseball bats and knives. But Joe, who was 6 feet 2 inches tall, fought them off by himself! He used flying kicks, karate chops, and even broke one attacker's arm. The rest of the gang ran away. Joe only had minor cuts and scrapes, and he continued to enjoy his holiday.

Later Life and Passing

Joe Robinson passed away at the age of 90. He died on July 3, 2017, in Brighton, England.

Movies Joe Robinson Was In