Joe Robinson

• Name — Joe Robinson • Born — 31 May 1927 • Birth Name — Joseph William Robinson Harle • Birthplace — Newcastle upon Tyne, Northumberland, England • Died — 3 July 2017 • Place of death — Brighton, East Sussex, England • Education — Royal Academy of Dramatic Art • Years Active — 1952–1971 • Occupation — Actor, martial artist, professional wrestler

Robinson was born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1927. He was the son of Joseph Spedding Robinson, sometimes called Jack Robinson, a Cumberland and Westmorland wrestling champion-turned-professional wrestler. His grandfather John was also a wrestler. In 1931, Robinson and his family moved to South Africa, where his father ran a gym. Robinson worked in his father's gym, and trained in catch wrestling and bodybuilding from a young age. He later took up Japanese martial arts, obtaining black belts in Wadō-ryū karate (8th dan) and judo (5th dan).

Robinson returned to England in 1948, settling in London in 1950 while studying at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He met promoter Atholl Oakeley, who began booking him as a professional wrestler under the ring name "Tiger" Joe Robinson. He won the European Heavyweight Championship in 1952, after beating Axel Cadier. According to The Times, Robinson "was not generally regarded as an uncompromisingly hard shooter." After injuring his back wrestling in Paris he decided to concentrate on acting.

Robinson's first role came in the keep-fit documentary Fit as a Fiddle and in the same year, 1952, he followed it up with a part as Harry 'Muscles' Green in the musical Wish You Were Here in the West End of London. He made his film debut in 1955's A Kid for Two Farthings, in which he wrestled Primo Carnera. Other big-screen appearances include 1961's Carry On Regardless, of the British institution the Carry Ons. Robinson also claimed he turned down the role of the Rank Organisation's Gongman, a part that went to another wrestler, Kenneth Richmond. His film and television career really took off in the 1960s and in 1962 he appeared in British classic The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner alongside appearances in The Saint and The Avengers in 1963. He was Honor Blackman's fight trainer for The Avengers. Together with Blackman and his younger brother Doug, Robinson authored Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence in 1965 (Joe was also a judo champion and black belt at karate). The year after he appeared in an episode of the sitcom Pardon the Expression which referenced this book. in 1960 was invited to Rome where he appeared in five muscle-bound Italian epics, including Taur the Mighty (1963), Thor and the Amazon Women (1963) and Ursus and the Tartar Princess (1961). According to the book Tarzan of the Movies by Gabe Essoe, Robinson played the role of Tarzan in obscure Italian-made films (Taur, il re della forza bruta and Le gladiatrici); the use of the Tarzan character, however, was unauthorised and the character's name had to be changed to Thaur before the film was allowed for public release. He also appeared in Barabbas and Erik the Conqueror both in 1961. His final big-screen appearance was in the 1971 James Bond film Diamonds Are Forever in which he plays diamond smuggler Peter Franks. Robinson claimed that he was a contender for the Red Grant role in From Russia with Love. Though he did not get it, Connery recommended him for the role in Diamonds are Forever.

Robinson retired from acting in the early 1970s, and lived in Brighton, where he opened a martial arts centre, conducting classes in Wadō-ryū and Judo. One of his notable pupils was Brian Jacks, winner of Britain's first medal at a World Judo Championships taking a bronze in Salt Lake City 1967, and gained a second bronze at the 1972 Munich Olympics. In March 1998 the 70-year-old Robinson hit the headlines after fighting off a gang of at least eight muggers single-handed when he was attacked after alighting from a bus in Cape Town; the gang struck with baseball bats and knives, but the 6 ft 2 inch-tall Robinson overpowered two with flying kicks, karate-chopped another, and broke the arm of a fourth with a punch- the rest fled. Robinson suffered "only minor cuts and grazes" and continued to enjoy his holiday.

Robinson's was married twice, and had four children. His daughter, Polly Robinson (Hardy-Stewart), has also continued the family's success in martial arts by winning the junior Judo championships in the 1980s. His granddaughter Kyra is an IBJIF Brazilian jiu-jitsu champion, and another granddaughter, Phoebe, is a stunt performer. Robinson's brother, Doug (1930–2021), was a well-known stunt performer who notably doubled for Telly Savalas and James Coburn.

Robinson died in Brighton, East Sussex on 3 July 2017, at the age of 90.

• Year — Title — Role — Notes • 1955 — A Kid for Two Farthings — Sam Heppner • 1956 — Die ganze Welt singt nur Amore — Max • 1956 — Action Stations — Pete Archer • 1957 — Fighting Mad — Muscles Tanner • 1957 — The Flesh Is Weak — Lofty • 1958 — The Strange Awakening — Sven • 1958 — Sea Fury — Hendrik • 1958 — Murder Reported — Jim • 1960 — The Two Faces of Dr. Jekyll — Corinthian — Uncredited • 1960 — The Bulldog Breed — Tall Sailor • 1961 — Carry On Regardless — Dynamite Dan • 1961 — Erik the Conqueror — Garian — Uncredited • 1961 — Barabbas — Bearded Gladiator • 1961 — Tartar Invasion — Ursus • 1962 — The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner — Roach • 1963 — Taur, il re della forza bruta — Taur • 1963 — Doctor in Distress — Sonja's Boyfriend • 1963 — Thor and the Amazon Women — Thor • 1971 — Diamonds Are Forever — Peter Franks — (final film role)