Robert Shaw (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Shaw
Shaw in a 1958 advertisement for The Buccaneers
Born	Robert Archibald Shaw (1927-08-09)9 August 1927 Westhoughton, Lancashire, England
Died	28 August 1978(1978-08-28) (aged 51) Toormakeady, County Mayo, Ireland
Occupation	Actor novelist playwright screenwriter
Years active	1947–1978
Spouse(s)	Jennifer Bourke ​ ​ (m. 1952; div. 1963)​ Mary Ure ​ ​ (m. 1963; died 1975)​ Virginia Jansen ​ (m. 1976)​
Children	10; including Ian Shaw
Relatives	Tanya Landman (niece) Rob Kolar (grandson)

Robert Archibald Shaw (9 August 1927 – 28 August 1978) was a talented English actor, writer, and playwright. He began his career in theatre, performing in many plays. Later, he became well-known for his roles in popular films.

Some of his most famous movie parts include King Henry VIII in A Man for All Seasons (1966). For this role, he was nominated for an Academy Award. He also played the mobster Doyle Lonnegan in The Sting (1973) and the shark hunter Quint in Jaws (1975). Other notable films include From Russia with Love (1963) and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974).

Early Life and Education

Robert Archibald Shaw was born on August 9, 1927, in Westhoughton, England. His mother, Doreen Nora, was a nurse, and his father, Thomas Archibald Shaw, was a doctor. Robert had three sisters and one brother.

When he was seven, his family moved to Stromness, Scotland. His father passed away when Robert was 12 years old. After this, the family moved to Cornwall, where Robert attended Truro School. He briefly worked as a teacher before studying acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London, graduating in 1948.

Acting Career Highlights

Starting in Theatre and TV

Shaw in The Buccaneers (1957)

Robert Shaw started his acting journey in theatre. He performed in plays across England, including Macbeth at Stratford-upon-Avon in 1946. He also appeared in early British TV shows, such as The Cherry Orchard in 1947.

In 1951, he had a small part in the film The Lavender Hill Mob. The next year, he made his London stage debut in Caro William. He continued to take on small roles in films like The Dam Busters (1955).

Becoming a TV Star

Shaw became a well-known TV star in the UK. He played Captain Dan Tempest in the popular series The Buccaneers (1956–57). This show ran for 39 episodes and made him a leading actor on television.

He also found success on stage in 1959 with the play The Long and the Short and the Tall. Later, in 1961, he performed on Broadway in Harold Pinter's play The Caretaker. He later reprised his role in the film version of The Caretaker (1963).

Becoming a Film Star

Robert Shaw gained international fame as a film actor. He played the villain Donald "Red" Grant in the James Bond movie From Russia with Love (1963). This role made him widely recognized.

He continued to take on diverse roles. In 1965, he was Colonel Hessler in Battle of the Bulge. The next year, he played a young Henry VIII in A Man for All Seasons. This performance earned him nominations for a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award.

He also appeared in Battle of Britain (1969) and The Royal Hunt of the Sun (1969). In the 1970s, he starred as Lord Randolph Churchill in Young Winston (1972).

Iconic Movie Roles

Shaw played the mob boss Doyle Lonnegan in the highly successful film The Sting (1973). He was also "Mr. Blue" in the thrilling movie The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974).

His most famous role came in 1975 when he played Quint, the determined shark hunter, in Jaws. This movie was a massive hit and cemented his status as a major film star.

After Jaws, he continued to appear in big films. He played the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin and Marian (1976) alongside Sean Connery and Audrey Hepburn. He also starred in The Deep (1977) and Black Sunday (1977). His final film was Avalanche Express (1979), which was released after his death.

Writing Career

Besides acting, Robert Shaw was also a talented writer. His first novel, The Hiding Place, was published in 1960 and received good reviews. His second novel, The Sun Doctor (1961), won the Hawthornden Prize in 1962.

He also wrote plays. His play The Man in the Glass Booth was very successful in London in 1967 and later on Broadway. This play explored complex ideas about identity. Shaw also adapted his novel The Hiding Place into a screenplay for the film Situation Hopeless... But Not Serious.

Personal Life

Robert Shaw was married three times and had ten children, including two who were adopted. His children include actor Ian Shaw. His grandson, Ferdia Shaw, also became an actor, making his debut in the film Artemis Fowl.

For the last seven years of his life, Robert Shaw lived in Tourmakeady, County Mayo, Ireland.

Death

Robert Shaw passed away at the age of 51 from a heart attack on August 28, 1978. He was driving near his home in Ireland when he suddenly became ill. He stopped the car, stepped out, and then collapsed. He was with his wife Virginia and son Thomas at the time.

He had just finished filming Avalanche Express. His body was cremated, and his ashes were scattered near his home in Tourmakeady. A stone memorial was placed there in his honor in August 2008.

Tributes

A Wetherspoons pub in his birthplace of Westhoughton is named after Robert Shaw.

The villain Sebastian Shaw from the X-Men comics is named and designed to look like Robert Shaw.

Film director Ridley Scott once mentioned that there are "very few Robert Shaws now." He meant that it's hard to find actors with the same rugged and strong presence that Shaw had.

Work

Stage Performances

• The Caretaker (1962)
• The Physicists (1964)
• The Man in the Glass Booth (1968)
• Gantry (1970)
• Old Times (1971)
• The Dance of Death (1974)

Filmography

Television Roles

Written Works

• The Hiding Place (1960)
• The Sun Doctor (1961)
• The Flag (1965)
• Situation Hopeless... But Not Serious (screenplay, 1965)
• The Man in the Glass Booth (novel, 1967)
• The Man in the Glass Booth (play, 1968)
• A Card from Morocco (1969)
• Figures in a Landscape (screenplay, 1970)
• Cato Street (play, 1971)

Awards and Recognition

Robert Shaw was recognized for his acting talent. At the 39th Academy Awards, he was nominated for an Oscar for his role as Henry VIII of England in A Man for All Seasons (1966). He also received a nomination for the 24th Golden Globe Awards for the same role.

Images for kids

• 

  Robert Shaw memorial in Tourmakeady, County Mayo, Ireland, near the location where he died

• 

  Closeup of the text

• 

  View of the pier at the site

See also

In Spanish: Robert Shaw (actor) para niños