Tony Roberts

David Anthony “Tony” Roberts (born October 22, 1939) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in several Woody Allen movies, most notably Annie Hall, usually cast as Allen’s best friend. Roberts was born in Manhattan, New York, the son of Norma (née Finkelstein), an animator, and CBS radio announcer Ken Roberts.^[1][2] His family is Jewish.^[3][4] He had a sister, Nancy, and is the cousin of late actor Everett Sloane.^[5] Roberts attended Northwestern University and made his Broadway debut in 1962, with a role in the play Something About a Soldier

Career

Theatre

Roberts’ Broadway credits include Barefoot in the Park; How Now, Dow Jones; Murder at the Howard Johnson’s; Promises, Promises; Sugar (the musical version of the movie Some Like It Hot); The Sisters Rosensweig; They’re Playing Our Song; Victor/Victoria; The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife; and Cabaret. In 1998 Roberts played the role of “Buddy Plummer” in Stephen Sondheim’s Follies at the Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey. In May 2007, Roberts returned to Broadway in the roller-disco rock musical Xanadu.

Film

Roberts is best known for his collaborations with Woody Allen. In Annie Hall, he portrayed Alvy Singer’s best friend Rob. Other Allen films and/or plays in which he has appeared include both the Broadway and film versions of Play It Again, Sam (directed by Herbert Ross), Radio Days, Stardust Memories, Hannah and Her Sisters, A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy, and Woody Allen’s segment for The Concert for New York City.

Roberts memorably portrayed the badgering Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. He also appeared in the Sidney Lumet films Serpico and Just Tell Me What You Want. Roberts was in the 1983 horror film Amityville 3-D portraying John Baxter, the owner of the infamous possessed house. Roberts was featured in 2014’s The Longest Week opposite Jason Bateman.

Television and Radio

On television he has appeared in numerous series such as The Carol Burnett Show, Matlock, and Law & Order. In 1977, he starred in the short-lived series Rosetti and Ryan with Squire Fridell. In 1978 he guest starred on The Love Boat where he and Lauren Tewes’ character, cruise ship director Julie McCoy, fell in love but didn’t pursue a relationship. On radio he was a regular performer on the CBS Radio Mystery Theater. Roberts also provides the narration on many, if not all, of the audio books in the Stone Barrington novels written by Stuart Woods.

Tony on Broadway

Filmography

• The Longest Week (2012)
• Twelve and Holding (2005)
• My Best Friend’s Wife (2001)
• The Concert for New York City: “Sounds from a Town I Love” (2001)
• Dead Broke (1998)
• Apologies to Bunuel (1996)
• Switch (1991)
• Popcorn (1991)
• Fist Fighter (1989)
• 18 Again! (1988)
• Radio Days (1987)
• Seize the Day (1986)
• Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
• Key Exchange (1985)
• Amityville 3-D (1983)
• A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy (1982)
• Stardust Memories (1980)
• Just Tell Me What You Want (1980)
• The Girls in the Office (1979; TV Movie)
• Annie Hall (1977)
• Le Sauvage (1975)
• The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974)
• Serpico (1973)
• Play It Again, Sam (1972)
• Star Spangled Girl (1971)
• The Million Dollar Duck (1971)

References

1. “Tony Roberts, Star File: Broadway.com Buzz”. Broadway.com. 2011-03-19. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
2. Shapiro, T. Rees (2009-06-28). “Golden-Throated Announcer Introduced Soap Operas”. Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
3. “‘Death rattle of the world – with laughs’”. Thevillager.com. Retrieved 2011-08-22.
4. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-2391203.html
5. Movie Reviews Everett Sloane