- Born
- Died
- Birth nameEmmanuel Goldenberg
- Nicknames
- Eddie
- Manny
- Height5′ 5″ (1.65 m)
- Emanuel Goldenberg arrived in the United States from Romania at age ten, and his family moved into New York's Lower East Side. He took up acting while attending City College, abandoning plans to become a rabbi or lawyer. The American Academy of Dramatic Arts awarded him a scholarship, and he began work in stock, with his new name, Edward G. Robinson (the "G" stood for his birth surname), in 1913. Broadway was two years later; he worked steadily there for 15 years. His work included "The Kibitzer", a comedy he co-wrote with Jo Swerling. His film debut was a small supporting part in the silent The Bright Shawl (1923), but it was with the coming of sound that he hit his stride. His stellar performance as snarling, murderous thug Rico Bandello in Little Caesar (1931)--all the more impressive since in real life Robinson was a sophisticated, cultured man with a passion for fine art--set the standard for movie gangsters, both for himself in many later films and for the industry. He portrayed the title character in several biographical works, such as Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet (1940) and A Dispatch from Reuters (1940). Psychological dramas included Flesh and Fantasy (1943), Double Indemnity (1944), The Woman in the Window (1944)and Scarlet Street (1945). Another notable gangster role was in Key Largo (1948). He was "absolved" of allegations of Communist affiliation after testifying as a friendly witness for the House Un-American Activities Committee during the McCarthy hysteria of the early 1950s. In 1956 he had to sell off his extensive art collection in a divorce settlement and also had to deal with a psychologically troubled son. In 1956 he returned to Broadway in "Middle of the Night". In 1973 he was awarded a special, posthumous Oscar for lifetime achievement.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
- SpousesJane Robinson(January 16, 1958 - January 26, 1973) (his death)Gladys Lloyd(January 21, 1927 - July 20, 1956) (divorced, 1 child)
- Children
- ParentsSarah Guttman GoldenbergMorris Goldenberg
- RelativesAdam Edward Robinson-Sanchez(Great Grandchild)
- Prideful, nasty and violent characters involved in the underworld
- Unconventional, almost catfish-like mug
- His short, squat frame
- The line "Yeah, See" but pronouncing See as Say for "Yeah, Say" which has become an iconic imitation.
- Speaking with his hands, particularly pointing thumbs at himself and waving thumbs up in the air.
- Although best known for playing fierce, angry and often murderous little men, he was actually well-liked and respected by almost everyone off-screen, having been a sensitive, quiet, artistic type when not performing.
- When he died in 1973, he left an estate valued at $2.5 million, which largely consisted of rare works of art.
- Died two weeks after he had finished filming Soylent Green (1973).
- Lived in a Yiddish community in Romania until he was 9.
- He hated guns. During production of Little Caesar (1931), his eyelids had to be taped open so he wouldn't flinch when he fired his weapon.
- If I were just a bit taller and I was a little more handsome or something like that, I could have played all the roles that I have played, and played many more. There is such a thing as a handicap, but you've got to be that much better as an actor. It kept me from certain roles that I might have had, but then, it kept others from playing my roles, so I don't know that it's not altogether balanced.
- [on Double Indemnity (1944)] It was, in fact, the third lead. I debated accepting it. Emanuel Goldberg told me that at my age it was time to begin thinking of character roles, to slide into middle and old age with the same grace as that marvelous actor Lewis Stone . . . The decision made itself . . It remains one of my favorites.
- I have not collected art. Art collected me. I never found paintings. They found me. I have never even owned a work of art. They owned me.
- To last you need to be real.
- To be entrusted with a character was always a big responsibility to me.
- Two Weeks in Another Town (1962) - $100,000
- The Ten Commandments (1956) - $100,000
- Key Largo (1948) - $12,500 /week
- Larceny, Inc (1942) - $100 .000
- Blackmail (1939) - $8,500 /week
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