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)

Tony Roberts (born October 22, 1939 – died February 7, 2025) was an American actor. He was famous for acting in many movies, especially those by Woody Allen. He often played the best friend of the main character, like in the movie Annie Hall.

Tony Roberts' Life and Acting Career

Early Life

Tony Roberts was born in Manhattan, New York City. His father, Ken Roberts, was a radio announcer. His mother, Norma, was an animator who drew cartoons. His family was Jewish.

Tony went to the High School of Music & Art. Later, he studied at Northwestern University. He first acted on Broadway in 1962. This was in a play called Something About a Soldier.

Movies and Film Roles

Tony Roberts worked a lot with director Woody Allen. In the movie Annie Hall, he played Rob, who was the main character Alvy Singer's best friend. He also appeared in other Allen movies and plays. These included both the stage and movie versions of Play It Again, Sam.

He was also in Stardust Memories (1980), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and Radio Days (1987). In 2001, Tony Roberts was part of Allen's segment for The Concert for New York City.

Roberts played Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. He also acted in Sidney Lumet's movies Serpico and Just Tell Me What You Want. In 1983, he had a main role in the horror movie Amityville 3-D. He played John Baxter, a reporter who buys a haunted house.

He acted with George Burns in Eighteen Again! (1988). He also co-starred in the horror-comedy Popcorn as Professor Davis. In Blake Edwards' comedy Switch, he played Arnold Freidkin. Both movies came out in 1991.

Tony Roberts also appeared in the Walt Disney comedy The Million Dollar Duck. He was in Star Spangled Girl, both from 1971. He also acted in Key Exchange and Le Sauvage, both from 1985. Other films include Seize the Day (1986) and Twelve and Holding (2005).

His last movie role was in The Longest Week (2014). He played a therapist in this romantic comedy-drama. His final TV movie was Dirty Dancing in 2017.

On Stage: Broadway Shows

Tony Roberts was in many Broadway plays and musicals. Some of his famous roles include:

• Barefoot in the Park
• Promises, Promises
• Sugar (based on 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
• Cabaret

In 1998, he played Buddy Plummer in Stephen Sondheim's Follies. This was at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. In 2007, Roberts returned to Broadway in the musical Xanadu.

TV Shows and Radio Work

On television, Tony Roberts played Lee Pollock on The Edge of Night. He appeared in many TV series. These include The Carol Burnett Show, Matlock, Law & Order, and Law & Order: Criminal Intent.

In 1977, he was a main actor in the NBC show Rosetti and Ryan. In 1978, he was a guest star on The Love Boat. He played a character who fell in love with Julie McCoy, the cruise ship director.

He was also on the ABC comedy The Thorns. Tony Roberts was a regular voice actor on the CBS Radio Mystery Theater. He also narrated many audiobooks. These included novels by Stuart Woods about the detective Stone Barrington. Other audiobooks he narrated were Batman: The Ultimate Evil and Who Moved My Cheese?.

His Passing

Tony Roberts passed away on February 7, 2025. He was 85 years old. He died from lung cancer at his home in Manhattan.

Selected Filmography