Jason Nelson Robards Jr. is a famous American theater, film and television actor. He became the only performer in the history of cinema to win an Oscar for 2 years in a row for supporting roles in All the President's Men (1977) and Julia (1978).
In the creative biography of the actor, there are more than a hundred roles in television and film projects. He also took part in the Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Screen Actors Guild awards ceremonies on several occasions. The artist starred in documentary series and programs.
Although Jason's creative career began rather late, he managed to become a real star of the stage and cinema. For many years Robards performed on Broadway, preferring acting in theater to cinema. But in cinema, he managed to do a lot, winning the recognition and love of the audience, becoming the owner of many awards and nominations.
Biography facts
Jason was born in the USA in the summer of 1922 into a creative family. His father Jason Robards Sr. was a famous theater and silent film actor. After the appearance of sound cinematography, his father's career began to decline, he almost completely stopped acting. Perhaps this was one of the reasons for Jason Jr.'s not very good attitude towards the film industry. Having become an actor, he preferred to work on the theatrical stage, despite the fact that cinema brought him worldwide fame and fame.
After the birth of their son, the family moved to New York, and then to Los Angeles. The boy's parents divorced when he was in school. This event greatly influenced the character and worldview of Jason. For a long time he could not cope with the trauma and only after many years was able to forgive his father and mother, as well as understand the reason for their separation.
During his school years, the boy was actively involved in athletics, football, baseball and basketball. He even intended to become a professional athlete.
Jason received his primary education at Hollywood High School. He studied acting at the AADA Academy and HB Studio in New York.
In the fall of 1940, Robards decided to join the army. He received special training at the US Navy School in San Diego and was assigned as a Class 3 radio operator for the cruiser USS Northampton. Jason served in the Navy for 6 years. He was awarded several medals, including one for the victory in World War II.
Even during his service, the young man discovered in the ship's library a play by the famous playwright Yu. O'Neal and then for the first time thought about becoming an actor. After leaving the army in 1946, he returned home and met with his father, who advised Jason to go to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA).
Creative career
Robards began his acting career rather late, but was able to become a real star of theater and cinema.
After serving in the army and graduating from the academy, he worked in radio, played small roles in performances on theater stages in New York, and occasionally acted on television to make more money.
Success came to him only after a few years. In 1956, the actor appeared on Broadway in the play "Long Day's Journey into Night" and became a real star, playing the role of James Tyrone. Later, he embodied this image on the screen in the 1962 film "The Long Day Leaves into Night".
In 1960, Robards landed the lead role in Sidney Lumet's drama The Ice Seller, based on the play by Eugene O'Neill. This work brought the artist wide fame, he began to receive new proposals from directors and producers.
During his work in the cinema, Jason played more than a hundred roles in many popular projects, including: "Big jackpot for a little lady", "American Divorce", "Once in the Wild West", "Ballad of Cable Hoge", "Torah! Torah! Tora! "," Johnny took the gun "," Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid "," The guy and his dog "," All the presidential men "," Julia "," Melvin and Howard "," The burden of a dream "," Parents ", Rapid Change, Civil War, Heidi, Philadelphia, Magnolia.
The actor constantly worked on the theater stage, played dozens of roles in classical and modern plays. He has become one of the leading American performers, receiving numerous awards and accolades from the public.
Awards, prizes and nominations
Robards became the only actor in the history of American cinema to receive 2 consecutive Oscars in the Best Supporting Actor category. It happened in 1977 and 1978. In 1981, he was again nominated for an Oscar for his role in the film Melvin and Howard, but this time he was surpassed by Timotti Hutton, who played in the film Ordinary People.
In 1959, he won the Tony Award for the only time with his father in The Disenchanted. Jason has worked on the stage for many years and has been nominated for a Tony Award 8 times. Not a single theater actor has received such recognition. His career has also received nominations for the Joseph Jefferson Award, Obie Award and Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award, Drama Logue Award.
At the Cannes Film Festival in 1962, the actor was awarded the Silver Prize for Best Actor in the film A Long Day Leaves into Night.
Nominations for the "Golden Globe" brought him work in the films: "A Thousand Clowns", "All the President's Men", "Julia", "Melvin and Howard", "Sakharov".
For Best Actor in Reap the Storm, Robards won an Emmy in 1988 and became the 11th performer on the list of 3 Academy Awards, Tony and Emmy awards. In his biography there are 2 more Emmy nominations in 1978 and 1980 for his roles in the projects Washington: Behind Closed Doors and Franklin Roosevelt: The Last Year.
Robards won the U. S. National Endowment for the Arts, the highest honor. National Medal of Arts. The Distinguished Service Medal was presented to the actor in 1999 by the President of the United States Bill Clinton.
In 1999, Jason was the recipient of the annual Kennedy Center Honors for Outstanding Contribution to American Culture.
Personal life
Jason was married 4 times and had 6 children from different marriages.
The first wife in 1948 was Eleanor Pitman. They lived together for 10 years and divorced in 1958. Three children were born in this union.
Rachel Taylor became the second wife. The marriage took place on April 26, 1959, and on May 22, 1961, the husband and wife divorced.
Lauren Bacall became the third chosen one. The wedding took place in the summer of 1961. The couple had one child. The couple lived together for about 8 years and divorced in 1969. According to his wife, the reason for the separation was Jason's addiction to alcohol.
The last wife in February 1970 was Lois O'Connor. Jason lived with her until the end of his days. In this union, two children were born.
In 1972, the artist had a terrible accident on a winding California road. He drove his car into a mountainside and nearly died. The cause of the accident was Jason's alcoholic intoxication. He underwent several complex operations and was in the clinic for a long time. After this incident, Robards was able to overcome the addiction and subsequently participated in anti-alcohol campaigns more than once.
The famous actor passed away in 2000. He was 78 years old. The cause of death was lung cancer.
