Robards, Jason, Jr.

Robards, Jason, Jr. (1922–2000), actor. The dark, somewhat weather‐beaten‐looking performer was the son of another famous actor. Born in Chicago, he studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and with Uta Hagen and began appearing professionally in the late 1940s. However, acclaim first came with his performance as Hickey in a 1956 Circle in the Square revival of The Iceman Cometh. Brooks Atkinson wrote, “His unction, condescension and piety introduce an element of moral affectation that clarifies the perspective of the drama.” Robards subsequently distinguished himself in other Eugene O'Neill roles, including James Tyrone Jr. in the original Broadway production of Long Day's Journey into Night (1956), Smith in Hughie (1964), and James Tyrone Jr. in a 1973 revival of A Moon for the Misbegotten. He displayed his versatility in such other roles as the ne'er‐do‐well Julian Berniers in Toys in the Attic (1960), the genial William Baker in Big Fish, Little Fish (1961), the nonconforming Murray Burns in A Thousand Clowns (1962), and the guilt‐ridden lawyer Quentin in After the Fall (1964). In 1983 he scored as Martin Vanderhof in a revival of You Can't Take It with You. He re‐created the role of Hickey in a 1985 revival of The Iceman Cometh, then played James Tyrone Sr. and Nat Miller in 1988 revivals of Long Day's Journey into Night and Ah, Wilderness! Robards's later performances of note included the grumpy teacher Jacob Brackish in Park Your Car in Harvard Yard (1991), the mysterious Hirst in No Man's Land (1994), and the wasted eye surgeon Mr. Rice in Molly Sweeney (1996), his last New York appearance. Also popular in films, the grainy‐voiced actor was as distinctive as he was enthralling.