Bill Robinson, the talented agent and executive who has led such stars as Carol Burnett, Robert Duvall, Maggie Smith, and Audrey Hepburn, has died. He was 92 years old.
His family shared that he died at his home in Malibu on August 6 after a long illness.
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“I’ve known Bill for many years… since 1959. Gary Moore Show. He later became my manager while doing my show. But it’s not just my manager. He was one of my closest friends in the world. I loved him so much… and I will miss him,” Burnett said.
Robinson has also represented Judith Anderson, Alan Arkin, Tony Beale, Peter Falk, James Garner, Glenda Jackson, Waylon Jennings and Jane Mansfield throughout her career.
It was Robinson who gave Mike Medavoy his first job as an agent, and the current president and CEO of Phoenix Pictures and the former president of TriStar Pictures recalled their first meeting.
“You’re going to be in as much trouble as Morris in this business,” Bill Robinson said when he hired me as an agent at his agency, in his book Medavoy. You’re as good as the next: 100 great movies, 100 good movies and 100 for
I should have hit. “Do you have a middle name? Mike, I told him. I’ve never been crazy about my name anyway. Besides, I had nothing to do with my name. “Mike… Medavoy,” she repeated. “It works.”
Robinson was born in 1929 in New Bedford, Massachusetts. His family moved to Los Angeles when he was 16. After graduating from high school, he worked as a clothing salesman. After serving in the US Army during the Korean War, he returned home, answered his request for an NBC page, and got the job. During his stint at NBC, he met Ida Lupino, who encouraged him to become an agent. He followed his advice and took a position in the MCA mailroom, working under the legendary Lev Wasserman. He was quickly promoted to talent agent, representing small musical acts throughout the Southwest.
He eventually got into the Kurt Frings Agency, where he represented Hepburn. She then moved to the famous Ashley Agency, where she built her reputation before setting off on her own with the grace of Ted Ashley and a check for $50,000 to help get her started.
Robinson is survived by his wife of 38 years, Mandy Robinson, and their daughter, Hannah Robinson.
Source: Deadline
Lloyd Grunewald is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. He is a talented writer who focuses on bringing the latest entertainment-related news to his readers. With a deep understanding of the entertainment industry and a passion for writing, Lloyd delivers engaging articles that keep his readers informed and entertained.
