According to the March 31, 1941, issue of "Time" magazine, he and Melvyn Douglas bid $3,200 for the fedora hat that Franklin D. Roosevelt had worn during his three successful campaigns for the presidency. They acquired the hat at a special Hollywood auction to benefit the Motion Picture Relief Fund. Both Robinson and Douglas were identified as "loyal Democrats". Robinson would later be "grey-listed" during the McCarthy Red Scare hysteria of the 1950s and have to make his living on stage.
Although best known for playing fierce, shady little men, Robinson was well liked by almost everyone off-screen, having been a sensitive, quiet, artistic type when not performing.
Born at 5:00 a.m. LMT.
Died two weeks after he had finished filming Soylent Green (1973).
Donated $100,000 to the United Service Organization (USO) during WW2. Like many celebrities, Robinson also pitched in at the Hollywood Canteen and, being multilingual (he reportedly spoke seven languages fluently), worked on broadcasts to countries occupied by the Nazis.
Father of Edward G. Robinson Jr..
In 1949, he was investigated by the California Senate's Fact Finding Committee on Un-American Activities (colloquially known as the "Tenney Committee" after Committee Chairman Jack Tenney). The Tenney Committee investigated alleged communists in California. Jack Tenney denounced Robinson for being "frequently involved in Communist fronts and causes".
Incredibly, never even nominated for an Academy Award. He was awarded a special "Lifetime Achievement" Oscar two months after his death. His wife, who accepted for him, commented on how thrilled he was to learn he would be given the award.
Interred at Beth El Cemetery, Brooklyn, New York, USA, in the Goodman Mausoleum.
Lived in a Yiddish community in Romania until he was 9.
Member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival in 1953.
Pictured on a 33¢ USA commemorative postage stamp in the Legends of Hollywood series, issued 24 October 2000.
Portrayed Steve Wilson, crusading editor of The Illustrated Press, on CBS Radio's "Big Town" (1937-1943).
Son, Emmanuel (Manny) (b. 1933, d. 1974).
Spoke seven other languages besides English, including Yiddish, Romanian and German.
The inspiration for the voice of Chief Clancy Wiggum (Hank Azaria) on "The Simpsons" (1989).
Was named #24 greatest actor on The 50 Greatest Screen Legends by the American Film Institute
Was nominated for Broadway's 1956 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for "Middle of the Night."
Was originally slated to play Dr. Zaius in Planet of the Apes (1968) but dropped out due to heart problems.
When he died in 1973, he left an estate valued at $2,500,000 which largely consisted of rare works of art.