Cliff Robertson

Clifford Parker "Cliff" Robertson III (September 9, 1923 – September 10, 2011) was an American actor with a film and television career that spanned half a century. Robertson portrayed a young John F. Kennedy in the 1963 film PT 109, and won the 1968 Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the movie Charly. On television, he portrayed retired astronaut Buzz Aldrin in the 1976 adaptation of Aldrin's autobiographic Return to Earth, played a fictional character based on Director of Central Intelligence Richard Helms in the 1977 miniseries Washington: Behind Closed Doors, and portrayed Henry Ford in the 1987 Ford: The Man and the Machine. His last well-known film appearances were in 2002 through 2007 as Uncle Ben in the Spider-Man film trilogy.

Early life

Robertson was born on September 9, 1923 in La Jolla, California, the son of Clifford Parker Robertson, Jr. (1902–1968), and his first wife, the former Audrey Olga Willingham (1903-1925). His Texas-born father was described as "the idle heir to a tidy sum of ranching money". Robertson recalled that his father "was a very romantic figure—tall, handsome. He married four or five times, and between marriages he'd pop in to see me. He was a great raconteur, and he was always surrounded by sycophants who let him pick up the tab. During the Depression, he tapped the trust for $500,000, and six months later he was back for more." The actor's parents divorced when he was one, and Robertson's mother died of peritonitis a year later in El Paso, Texas at the age of 21. He was raised by his maternal grandmother, Mary Eleanor "Eleanora" Willingham (née Sawyer, 1875–1957), in California, and rarely saw his father. He graduated in 1941 from La Jolla High School, where he was known as "The Walking Phoenix". He served in the U.S. Merchant Marine in World War II before attending Antioch College (Ohio) and dropping out to work as a journalist for a short time.

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Latest News for: Cliff Robertson

Who Is Kim Mulkey’s Ex-Husband? Randy Robertson’s Job & Kids

Coming Soon 18 Feb 2025
Kim Mulkey’s ex-husband is Randy Robertson. Mulkey and Robertson reportedly first crossed paths during their time as students at Louisiana Tech University ... What is Randy Robertson’s job?. Randy Robertson has a multi-faceted career.

Oscar Robertson roasts Draymond Green over ‘boring’ NBA take: ‘Who cares’ he says

New York Post 18 Feb 2025
Draymond Green did a whole lot of talking over the weekend at the NBA All-Star Game, but legend Oscar Robertson was none too impressed by the Warriors’ star’s declaration that the league was “boring.”.

Would-be sheep rescuer ends up stranded on Balcary Point cliffs

BBC News 18 Feb 2025
A livestock owner who tried to rescue two of her sheep which had got stuck on cliffs in south-west Scotland had to be airlifted to safety after getting stranded herself ... had fallen from the cliff.

Praise Matthews lifts No. 2 Dallastown past Cedar Cliff and into quarterfinal

Penn Live 18 Feb 2025
15 Cedar Cliff, 41-26, in the first round of the PIAA District 3 Class 6A girls basketball tournament on Monday ... Paige Wehnert led Cedar Cliff with seven points, while Lyla Kaercher and Maddy Cavalier each added six points.

The Stylistics announced 18 new events

Ents24 18 Feb 2025
Sun 2nd Nov. New Theatre, Cardiff Mon 3rd Nov ... Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea Sat 22nd Nov ... Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone Thu 27th Nov.

Meet The Tennessean's 2024-25 All-Midstate high school boys and girls swimming teams

The Tennessean 18 Feb 2025
She also won the 100 butterfly, finishing with a time of 53.48.Lilly Robertson ... Robertson, a Tennessee signee, qualified for All-America status in both events and was named the girls swimmer of the meet.

Leon MacDonald set to land first job since All Blacks departure

NewstalkZB 18 Feb 2025
... left his post as All Blacks attack coach due to irresolvable differences with head coach Scott Robertson.

Liberal MP fears Ottawa will imminently release a cash-strapped Africa strategy

Moosejaw Today 18 Feb 2025
OTTAWA — A Liberal MP who has long advocated for closer ties with Africa fears her government is on the verge of releasing an Africa strategy that has no significant spending attached ... 18, 2025. Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press. .
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