ACTOR · BORN 1927 · DIED 1978

Robert Shaw

Born

9 August 1927, Westhoughton, Lancashire, England, UK

Died

28 August 1978

Known for

Jaws (1975), From Russia with Love (1963), The Sting (1973), The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)

53 archived facts · 4 topics · 1 source · Last reviewed Sep 2026

Robert Shaw: 8 Facts About Characters and Roles

1. #005

   Twice he played the villain opposite a hero portrayed by Sean Connery. The first was in From Russia with Love (1963), as the SPECTER assassin Donald Grant, playing against Connery as the secret agent James Bond 007. The second was as the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin and Marian (1976), in which Connery played an aging forest archer, Robin Hood.

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2. #031

   He was considered for the role of Peter Janeway in Marathon Man (1976).

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3. #039

   Shaw's play "The Man in the Glass Booth" premiered on Broadway in 1967. Directed by Harold Pinter and starring Donald Pleasence, the play received positive reviews.

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4. #041

   While planning his war film "Cross of Iron," director Sam Peckinpah wanted Robert Shaw for the lead role of Sergeant Steiner.

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5. #044

   In 1970, he played the lead role in a stage musical version of "Elmer Gantry."

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6. #050

   He was initially offered the role of Richard Conway in the musical version of Lost Horizon.

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7. #052

   In the late '60s, it was announced that he would star in William the Conqueror.

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8. #053

   The actor was once considered for the lead role in the Hammer film "The Beast Must Die."

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