Tony Roberts (actor) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tony Roberts
Roberts in 2019
Born	David Anthony Roberts (1939-10-22)October 22, 1939 New York City, U.S.
Died	February 7, 2025(2025-02-07) (aged 85) New York City, U.S.
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1962–2017
Spouse(s)	Jennifer Lyons ​ ​ (m. 1969; div. 1975)​
Children	1

From the original Broadway cast of Play It Again, Sam. Third from left in front row is Tony Roberts; fourth from left is Woody Allen. Diane Keaton is on the far right. (1969)

David Anthony Roberts (October 22, 1939 – February 7, 2025) was an American actor. He was known for his roles in six Woody Allen films, most notably Annie Hall often playing his best friend.

Life and career

Early life

Roberts was born in Manhattan, New York City, the son of radio announcer Ken Roberts and Norma (née Finkelstein), an animator. His family was Jewish. Roberts attended the High School of Music & Art and Northwestern University, and he made his Broadway debut in 1962 with a role in the play Something About a Soldier.

Film

Roberts collaborated with Woody Allen. In Annie Hall, he portrayed Alvy Singer's best friend Rob. Other Allen movies and plays in which he appeared include both the Broadway and movie versions of Play It Again, Sam; he appeared, too, in Stardust Memories (1980), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986) and Radio Days (1987). In 2001, Roberts also made an appearance in Allen's respective segment for The Concert for New York City.

Roberts portrayed Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. He also appeared in the Sidney Lumet movies Serpico and Just Tell Me What You Want. In a rare, big-screen leading role, Roberts starred in the 1983 horror movie Amityville 3-D, playing John Baxter, a deeply skeptical, Doubting Thomas-type tabloid journalist who buys the infamous and possessed haunted house. He appeared opposite George Burns (as his son) in 1988's Eighteen Again!, and co-starred in the horror-dark comedy Popcorn, as Professor Davis, and in Blake Edwards' situation comedy Switch, as Arnold Freidkin, both 1991 theatrical releases. Roberts also enjoyed screentime in the Walt Disney screwball comedy The Million Dollar Duck and the stage-to-screen adaptation of Star Spangled Girl, both 1971 (and both co-starring Sandy Duncan), Key Exchange and Le Sauvage, both 1985, 1986's Seize the Day, and 2005's Twelve and Holding, among others.

Roberts' last theatrically-released feature film role was as Jason Bateman's character's therapist in the 2014 independent romantic comedy-drama The Longest Week, while his final made-for-television film portrayal was in the 2017 ABC production Dirty Dancing.

Theater

Roberts's Broadway credits include Barefoot in the Park; How Now, Dow Jones; Murder at the Howard Johnson's; Promises, Promises; Sugar (the musical version of the movie Some Like It Hot); The Sisters Rosensweig; They're Playing Our Song; Victor/Victoria; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; Arsenic and Old Lace; and Cabaret. In 1998, he played Buddy Plummer in Stephen Sondheim's Follies at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. In 2007, Roberts returned to Broadway in the musical Xanadu.

Television and radio

On television, Roberts was the third actor to play Lee Pollock on The Edge of Night. He appeared in numerous television series such as The Carol Burnett Show, Matlock, Law & Order, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent. In 1977, he was featured, alongside Squire Fridell, as a lead in the short-lived NBC legal drama Rosetti and Ryan.

In 1978, he guest-starred on The Love Boat. Roberts, and Lauren Tewes' character, cruise ship director Julie McCoy, both fall in love with another, but in the end, do not pursue a romantic relationship.

He was featured (with Penny Fuller, who had played his wife on The Edge of Night) on the ABC comedy The Thorns. He was a regular performer on the CBS Radio Mystery Theater. Roberts also provided the narration to many of the audiobook adaptations of Stuart Woods' novels featuring Stone Barrington, the crime-solving detective and lawyer. His other audiobook credits include Andrew Vachss' Batman: The Ultimate Evil, Kurt Vonnegut's Cat's Cradle, and Spencer Johnson's Who Moved My Cheese?.

Death

Roberts died of lung cancer at his Manhattan home, on February 7, 2025, at the age of 85.

Filmography