ACTOR · BORN 1922 · DIED 2000
Jason Robards
- Born
- 26 July 1922, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- Died
- 26 December 2000
- Known for
- Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), Philadelphia (1993), Enemy of the State (1998), Magnolia (1999)
42 archived facts 4 topics 1 source Last reviewed Sep 2026
28 Facts From Jason Robards' Career
- #001
Jennifer Jason Leigh added the name 'Jason' to her stage name out of respect for family friend Jason Robards. Leigh said of the choice, 'I think it sounds good between Jennifer and Leigh.' The name change marked an important turning point in her career and immortalized her close bond with Robards.
- #002
One of Jason Robards's last roles was a portrait of a man dying of lung cancer in Paul Thomas Anderson's 1999 film 'Magnolia.' His performance reflected the physical and emotional collapse brought on by the disease with striking realism. Sadly, only a year after the film, Robards himself succumbed to the same disease, and the role is remembered as one of the most poignant farewells of his film career.
- #003
Throughout his career, Robards never hid his passion for the theater; in an interview he said the only reason he acted in Hollywood films was 'to grab the money and get back to Broadway as fast as possible.' This approach clearly reveals his devotion to the stage arts and his distant stance toward commercial cinema. The theater was always a deeper and more satisfying field of expression for him.
- #004
As of 2015, Jason Robards holds the distinction of being the only actor to win two consecutive Best Supporting Actor Oscars. He achieved this with his performances as Ben Bradlee in the 1976 film 'All the President's Men' and as Dashiell Hammett in the 1977 film 'Julia.' His genuine familiarity with the characters he portrayed in both films added a distinct depth and authenticity to the performances.
- #005
Robards deliberately stayed away from feature films until he was 37, because he believed his father, the actor Jason Robards Sr., had gone to Hollywood and 'sold out,' damaging his reputation. For this reason he turned to the theater in his youth and was determined to carve his own path. Having learned from his father's experience, Robards was selective even when he did step into film, building his career on his own principles.
- #006
In 1988, Jason Robards became the 11th artist to achieve the 'Triple Crown' by winning acting's three most prestigious awards: the Oscar, the Tony and the Emmy. This achievement was crowned by two Oscars (All the President's Men and Julia), one Tony (The Disenchanted) and one Emmy (Inherit the Wind). This unique success stands as proof of his superior talent in film, theater and television alike.
- #007
All of Robards's Oscar nominations were based on performances in which he portrayed real-life people: journalist Ben Bradlee, who uncovered the Watergate scandal, in 'All the President's Men'; the famous writer Dashiell Hammett in 'Julia'; and the mysterious billionaire Howard Hughes in 'Melvin and Howard.' This pattern shows his affinity for biographical roles and his mastery at bringing historical figures to the screen.
- #011
When Robards won the Oscar for his performance as Ben Bradlee in 'All the President's Men,' he became one of 17 actors to win the award for portraying a real person who was still alive on the night of the ceremony. The list also includes names such as Spencer Tracy, Gary Cooper and Patty Duke. This achievement shows the strong connection he formed with the characters he played and his respect for historical figures.
- #012
Over his career, Robards played three U.S. presidents and one fictional president: Abraham Lincoln, Ulysses S. Grant, Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Nixon-like fictional character Richard Monckton. These roles demonstrate his ability to successfully portray historical figures and political leaders. His performances as Lincoln and Grant in particular show his interest in American history and the depth he brought to these characters.
- #013
Robards and Leonardo DiCaprio became the second pair of actors to be nominated for an Oscar for their performances as Howard Hughes, though neither won the award. Robards lost to Timothy Hutton, and DiCaprio to Jamie Foxx. This curious coincidence went on record as an example that calls into question the place in Oscar history of actors who portray the same character.
- #014
In 1978, Robards became the second actor to receive Oscar, Emmy and Tony nominations in the same calendar year. He achieved this with the film 'Julia,' the series 'Washington: Behind Closed Doors' and the play 'A Touch of the Poet.' This triple nomination proves his versatility and superior talent across film, television and theater.
- #015
Robards and Leonardo DiCaprio are the two actors nominated for an Oscar for playing Howard Hughes. Robards played Hughes in the 1980 film 'Melvin and Howard,' while DiCaprio brought the role to life in the 2004 film 'The Aviator.' Two actors from different generations interpreting the same character can be seen as a striking reflection of Hughes's complex personality on film.
- #022
In 1997 Robards was awarded the National Medal of Arts by the National Endowment for the Arts in Washington, DC. The honor reflects official recognition of his contributions to American art.
- #023
Robards is one of nine actors who have won the Oscar, Emmy and Tony awards, making him a holder of the 'Triple Crown.' The others are Thomas Mitchell, Melvyn Douglas, Paul Scofield, Jack Albertson, Jeremy Irons, Al Pacino, Geoffrey Rush and Christopher Plummer. This select group represents some of the most respected names in acting history.
- #024
Robards won Broadway's Tony Award in 1959 for the play 'The Disenchanted.' He was nominated for seven further Tonys over his career, for 'Long Day's Journey into Night,' 'Toys in the Attic,' 'After the Fall,' 'Hughie,' 'The Country Girl,' 'A Moon for the Misbegotten' and 'A Touch of the Poet.' With eight nominations, he holds the record as the most-nominated male actor in Tony history.
- #025
Robards won an Emmy Award for his performance in the 1988 television film 'Inherit the Wind.' The award crowned his success in television and contributed to his status as a 'Triple Crown' winner.
- #026
One of Robards's closest friends was the actor Jack Dodson. The two met during a Broadway production and began drinking together every night after the curtain came down. When Robards took a role in a play, he would make sure Dodson was in the cast as well, so their friendship continued both on and off the stage.
- #027
Robards played the character Hickey in Eugene O'Neill's 'The Iceman Cometh' in three different productions: Off-Broadway in 1955, on television in 1960 and again on Broadway in 1955. He also took on the role in productions staged in New York and Los Angeles during the 1985-86 season. These repeated performances show the deep connection he formed with the character.
- #028
Robards appeared in three films nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: 'A Thousand Clowns' (1965), 'All the President's Men' (1976) and 'Julia' (1977). These films stand among the key works of his screen career and are counted among the most acclaimed films of their era.
- #029
Robards was the first recipient of the Obie Award for Best Actor, which recognizes achievement in Off-Broadway theater. He won it for his performance as Hickey in 'The Iceman Cometh' in the 1955-1956 season, sharing the award with George Voskovec. The honor consolidated his reputation in the theater world.
- #030
In 1976 Robards was nominated for the Joseph Jefferson Award for his performance in 'Hughie,' staged at the Academy Festival Theatre in Chicago. The nomination was another sign of his achievements in the theater.
- #031
Robards's first leading role was in the 1953 Off-Broadway production of 'American Gothic,' directed by José Quintero. The play was a major turning point in his theater career and brought his talent to a wide audience.
- #033
Robards studied drama at HB Studio in Greenwich Village, New York City. This training laid the foundation of his acting career and helped develop his mastery of the stage arts.
- #035
In 1986 Robards was awarded the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Lead Performance for his work in 'The Iceman Cometh,' staged at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. The award is further proof of his achievements in the theater.
- #036
In 1986 Robards received the Drama Logue Award for his performance in 'The Iceman Cometh,' staged at the James A. Doolittle Theatre in Los Angeles. The award was another tribute to his impressive performance in the play.
- #037
Robards graduated from the American Academy of Dramatic Arts (AADA) as a member of the class of 1948. This training laid the foundation of his acting career and opened the way for his success in the stage arts.
- #040
Jason Robards holds the record as the most-nominated male actor in Tony Awards history, with eight nominations in total. He received his first nomination in 1957 for 'Long Day's Journey into Night' and won the award in 1959 for 'The Disenchanted.' His other nominations include 'Toys in the Attic,' 'After the Fall,' 'Hughie,' 'The Country Girl,' 'A Moon for the Misbegotten' and 'A Touch of the Poet.'.
- #041
Jason Robards appeared in three films selected by the Library of Congress for the National Film Registry as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically" significant: Once Upon a Time in the West (1968), All the President's Men (1976) and Philadelphia (1993). These films are counted among the most valuable works in American cinema history.
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