Tony Roberts, the beloved character actor best known for his role in Annie Hall and numerous Woody Allen films, has passed away at the age of 85. He died on Friday at his home in Manhattan due to complications from lung cancer, his daughter, Nicole Burley, confirmed to The New York Times.
Roberts, with his steady and confident demeanor, was a perfect match for Woody Allen’s often neurotic characters. His ability to portray a calm, reliable figure made him a natural in roles such as a police officer in Serpico and a deputy mayor in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.
Born in Manhattan in 1939, Roberts attended the High School of Music & Art and later studied at Northwestern University under the guidance of family friend Lee Strasberg. He graduated in 1961 and made his Broadway debut a year later in Something About a Soldier. He would go on to star in several Broadway productions, including Barefoot in the Park and How Now, Dow Jones, the latter of which earned him a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
Roberts’ first collaboration with Woody Allen began in 1966 when he auditioned for and was cast in Allen’s play Don’t Drink the Water. This led to his role in the 1969 production of Play It Again, Sam, for which he and co-star Diane Keaton both received Tony nominations. They, along with Allen, reprised their roles in the 1972 film adaptation.
His film debut came in 1971 with the Disney comedy The Million Dollar Duck, where he played the best friend of the lead character, portrayed by Dean Jones. He also appeared in the film version of Star Spangled Girl the same year, followed by notable roles in Sidney Lumet’s Serpico (1973) and the 1974 crime thriller The Taking of Pelham One Two Three.
Roberts’ most iconic role came in 1977 in Annie Hall, where he played Rob, a laid-back character who contrasts with Allen’s more neurotic Alvy. The film won Best Picture at the 1978 Oscars and remains a landmark in romantic cinema.
The actor continued to work with Allen, appearing in Stardust Memories (1980), A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy (1982), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and Radio Days (1987).
In addition to his collaborations with Allen, Roberts took on a variety of roles, including his only major leading role in the 1983 horror sequel Amityville 3-D. He also appeared in films such as Switch (with Ellen Barkin) and The Longest Week (with Jason Bateman).
On television, Roberts was featured in several popular series, including The Edge of Night, The Love Boat, Matlock, The Carol Burnett Show, and Law & Order. His final screen appearance came in the 2017 made-for-TV remake of Dirty Dancing.
Tony Roberts is survived by his daughter.
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