Matt Robinson (actor) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Matt Robinson
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Robinson in 1970.
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| Born |
Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr.
January 1, 1937 |
| Died | August 5, 2002 (aged 65) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, writer, producer |
| Years active | 1963–1993 |
| Known for | Gordon Robinson – Sesame Street |
| Spouse(s) |
Dolores Robinson
(m. 1960; div. 1991) |
| Children | 2; including Holly Robinson |
Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr. (born January 1, 1937 – died August 5, 2002) was an American actor, writer, and TV producer. He is best known for being the first actor to play the character of Gordon Robinson on the famous children's show Sesame Street.
When Sesame Street started in 1969, Matt Robinson was not only Gordon but also voiced the puppet Roosevelt Franklin. He was also one of the show's producers. He left the show in 1972. Later, when the show needed a last name for the Gordon character, they used Matt's last name to honor him.
Matt Robinson also wrote and produced movies like Save the Children and Amazing Grace. He wrote scripts for popular TV shows such as Sanford and Son and Eight Is Enough. In 1983, he joined the team of NBC's The Cosby Show as a producer and writer. He worked on the show for seven seasons, even though he started showing signs of Parkinson's disease. He passed away from the disease in 2002 at age 65.
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Early Life and Education
Matthew Thomas Robinson Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on January 1, 1937. His father, Matthew Robinson Sr., worked for the postal service and was one of the first African American columnists for The Philadelphia Independent newspaper. His mother, Marie Robinson, was an elementary school teacher.
Matt Robinson went to West Philadelphia High School. He then attended Pennsylvania State University and graduated in 1958. While at Penn State, he was elected president of the Penn State Omega Psi Phi fraternity. This was one of the first African-American fraternities.
Career Highlights
In 1962, Matt Robinson wrote a play about a slave revolt called Rained All Night.
He started his media career in 1963 at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia. He worked as a writer, producer, and on-air host. He produced and hosted Opportunity in Philadelphia, a weekly TV show. This show helped African Americans find job opportunities. It aimed to make looking for work less stressful for minorities. His work at WCAU helped him become a successful producer and actor.
Working on Sesame Street
Matt Robinson's big break came in 1969 when he joined the Children's Television Workshop (CTW). He helped create a new children's show called Sesame Street. His first job was to produce short films that showed different characters and their diverse backgrounds.
He was later chosen to play the character of Gordon. Another actor had played Gordon in test episodes, but it didn't quite work out. Gordon was the first character with speaking lines on the show. Matt Robinson was not sure about acting at first because he preferred working behind the scenes. His wife, Dolores Robinson, said that the show's creators saw how well he knew the character and felt he should be Gordon. Matt Robinson stayed with Sesame Street until 1972.
Four actors have played Gordon over the years: Matt Robinson, Roscoe Orman, Garrett Saunders, and Hal Miller. Later, when Gordon and Susan needed a family name, they used Robinson's last name to honor Matt.
In 1972, Matt Robinson wrote one of the first Sesame Street storybooks. It was called Gordon of Sesame Street's Storybook. It included four of his own children's stories.
Roosevelt Franklin, the Muppet
While at CTW, Matt Robinson also voiced a reddish-purple puppet named Roosevelt Franklin. Robinson worked closely with Jim Henson to create this character. Roosevelt Franklin was the first Muppet inspired by Black culture. Other Muppets created by Henson and Robinson included Baby Ray Francis and Mobley Mose. There was also a Latino Muppet named A.B. Cito.
Roosevelt Franklin taught kids about family, pride, respect, and geography. He loved rhyming and blues music. By creating the character and voicing him for three seasons, Matt Robinson helped Roosevelt Franklin become a main character on the show. The puppet continued to appear until 1975.
The puppet was eventually removed from the show. Some people felt that Roosevelt Franklin's sometimes unruly behavior in the fictional elementary school was not a good example for children. Others felt his portrayal of Black culture was not quite right. Dolores Robinson said that Roosevelt Franklin became a way for her husband to express his feelings about racism and his pride in Black people.
Matt Robinson also recorded the first Sesame Street album focused on one character. It was called The Year of Roosevelt Franklin (Gordon's Friend from Sesame Street). Released in 1971, the album taught children about numbers, letters, traffic safety, and sharing. All the songs were co-written with Joe Raposo. The album was re-released in 2010 as part of a collection.
After Sesame Street
After leaving CTW, Matt Robinson continued to produce and write for movies, TV, and plays. He wrote and produced Save The Children (1973). This was a musical performance that came from a Black cultural event. Robinson also worked as a producer and writer for the 1974 film Amazing Grace. This movie was about neighbors trying to stop dishonest politicians.
He also wrote episodes for TV shows like Sanford and Son, The Waltons, and Eight Is Enough. He wrote and produced for Captain Kangaroo, a children's TV series on CBS. Matt Robinson also acted in The Candy Apple News Company, a local children's show in Philadelphia. In this show, human actors and puppets worked together in a radio and newspaper office.
Working on The Cosby Show (1983–1990)
In 1983, Matt Robinson joined the team of NBC's The Cosby Show as a producer and writer. This family sitcom was about the Huxtable family, an African-American family living in Brooklyn, New York. The show aired from 1984 to 1992.
Robinson worked as a writer, story consultant, and co-producer for over 50 episodes. He even wrote music for the soundtrack. He also acted in one episode, "Cliff's Nightmare," playing a French scientist.
The Confessions of Stepin Fetchit (1993)
Matt Robinson wrote a one-man play called The Confessions of Stepin Fetchit. It was directed by Bill Lathan. The play focused on Lincoln Perry, a popular Black comic actor from the 1930s. Perry later faced criticism from civil rights groups. The play aimed to share Perry's life story and discuss his place as one of America's first Black movie stars.
Awards and Recognition
- Daytime Emmy Awards – Nominated in 1983 for Outstanding Individual Achievement in Children's Programming-Writing for Captain Kangaroo.
- Distinguished Alumnus Award from Penn State University (1994).
- 42nd NAACP Image Awards.
Personal Life and Legacy
Matt Robinson and his wife Dolores had two children: Matthew Thomas Robinson III and Holly Elizabeth Robinson (born September 18, 1964). They later divorced.
Matt Robinson was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1982 when he was 45 years old. He bravely fought the disease for 20 years. In 1997, his daughter, Holly Robinson Peete, and her husband, NFL quarterback Rodney Peete, started the HollyRod Foundation. This foundation helps people affected by Parkinson's disease or autism. It provides medical, physical, and emotional support. The foundation offers low-cost or free treatment and services in the Los Angeles area. Matt's son, Matt III, also developed Parkinson's disease.
Matt Robinson passed away in his sleep at his home in Los Angeles on August 5, 2002, at age 65. A memorial service was held for him in Beverly Hills, California. He is remembered by his daughter Holly, his son Matthew III, his former wife Dolores, and his five grandchildren.
