Actor Cliff Robertson died 10 September 2011 . Born Clifford Parker Robertson III on 9 September 1923 in Los Angeles, California, he won an Academy Award in 1969 for his leading role in Charly (the film based on Daniel Keyes’ Hugo-winning short story “Flowers for Algernon” and Nebula-winning novel expansion with the same title) and an Emmy in 1966 for his appearance on Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre. He was nominated for another Emmy in 1961, and for a Golden Globe for his role in Charly. Late in his career, he played Peter Parker’s Uncle Ben in Tobey Maguire’s three Spider-Man movies (2002, 2004, and 2007).
After high school, he served for a time in the merchant marine (and was incorrectly reported deceased after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941). Then he attended Antioch College in Ohio, where he studied journalism and worked briefly for a local newspaper and radio station. The dean of the school, however, encouraged him to pursue acting, and he left Antioch without a degree.
Moving to New York, Robertson studied at the Actors Studio, and began acting on stage. His Broadway debut came in 1953 in Late Love. He had also been picking up television roles, and for two years starred as the title character in Rod Brown of the Rocket Rangers (1953-54). His first film role came in 1955’s Picnic. He first earned wide public notice when President John F. Kennedy chose Robertson to play him in the film about his World War II experiences, PT 109 (1963).
His other genre roles include: Riding the Bullet (2004), 13th Child (2002), Falcon Down (2001), The Outer Limits (1999), Escape from L.A. (1996), Brainstorm (1983), Dominique (1980), four episodes of Batman (1966-68), The Outer Limits (1963), and two episodes of The Twilight Zone (1961 and 1962).
Twice divorced, Robertson is survived by one daughter (another predeceased him), and one grandchild.