Name:
Clifford Parker Robertson, III
- Visitation: Private
- Location: O'Connell Funeral Home
30 Little Plains Road. Southampton, New York - Religious Service: St. Luke's Episcopal Church, East Hampton, NY
Friday, September 16 at 5:30 pm - Memorial Service: Memorials will be held in New York City and Los Angeles – dates to be announced
- Donations in lieu of flowers
Lance Armstrong Foundation, Livestrong, in memory of Heather Merriweather Robertson.
Experimental Aircraft Association – Young Eagles Academy – “Cliff Robertson Work Experience Program”
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Biography
Born: September 9, 1923
Died: September 10, 2011
Age: 88
Clifford Parker Robertson, III
Water Mill, New York
Born September 9, 1923
Los Angeles, California
Clifford Parker Robertson III peacefully passed away on September 10, 2011, of natural causes in the company of his loving family.
“My father was a loving father, devoted friend, dedicated professional and honorable man. He stood by his family, friends, and colleagues through good times and bad. He made a difference in all our lives and made our world a better place. We will all miss him terribly.”
-Stephanie Saunders
Cliff Robertson’s daughter
Cliff Robertson—one of America’s foremost dramatic actors—is the only actor to have won the Academy Award (Oscar), the Emmy Award (Best Actor, T.V.), and the Theater World Award (Stage), as well as the Advertising Age Award (Best T.V. Commercial). A true renaissance man, Cliff’s acting, writing, and directing skills have been applauded on T.V., stage and in over seventy motion pictures.
Cliff was personally chosen by John F. Kennedy to portray the president in the motion picture P.T. 109 —the story of Kennedy’s heroic World War II exploits as a P.T. Boat skipper. It was followed by many award-winning performances in motion pictures, T.V., and Broadway. He supplemented his big screen work with roles on television, including the lead male role in the original prize-winning Days of Wine and Roses on Playhouse 90.
Cliff showed his remarkable versatility as the star of Samuel Fuller’s acclaimed Underworld U.S.A. He gave one of his finest performances in Gore Vidal’s Pulitzer Prize-winning The Best Man, opposite Henry Fonda. He starred in the outstanding 633 Squadron; in the Devil’s Brigade, opposite William Holden; and as a modern-day Mosca, opposite Rex Harrision in Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s updated version of Jonson’s Volpone, The Honey Pot. His brilliant performance as a mentally retarded man in Charly earned him the Academy Award for Best Actor. That critical success was followed by the Emmy Award for Best TV Actor in the drama, The Game.
Returning to films, he then starred in Too Late The Hero opposite Michael Caine, The Great Northfield Minnesota Raid opposite Robert Duval, Three Days of the Condor opposite Robert Redford, and Obsession with Geneviève Bujold.
He also starred in, directed and wrote the acclaimed rodeo drama J.W. Coop, and directed and starred in The Pilot. Other films include Star 80, Escape From L.A., Spiderman 1 and 2, and Stephen King’s Riding the Bullet.
Funeral Arrangements and Memorial Services
A Funeral Service will be held on Friday, September 16 at 5:30 pm; St. Luke's Episcopal Church, East Hampton, New York
Memorials will be held in New York City and Los Angeles – dates to be announced
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of O’Connell Funeral Home in Southampton. Updates and information will be made available on the website at www.oconnellfunerals.com
Donations in lieu of flowers
Lance Armstrong Foundation, Livestrong, in memory of Cliff's daughter, Heather Merriweather Robertson, who predeceased him
Experimental Aircraft Association – Young Eagles Academy – “Cliff Robertson Work Experience Program”
Cliff is survived by family members:
Stephanie Robertson Saunders (daughter), Charleston, SC, married to Donald E. Saunders III (son-in-law), Charleston, SC Cynthia Jackson Saunders, 13 (granddaughter), Charleston, SC Other beloved family members: Christopher Lemmon (half brother to Stephanie Saunders) Glastonbury, CT
And his beloved caregivers:
Evelyn Christel, Los Angeles (worked with Cliff for 54 Years)
Barbara Clarke (worked with Cliff for 27 years)
Kathy Smrcka (worked with Cliff for 18 years)
Madeleine Burnside (worked with Cliff for 11 years)
Kim Brennan (worked with Cliff for 5 years)
Gil Meise (friend who worked and cared for Cliff for 39 years)
Brian Lorenz (friend who worked and cared for Cliff for 26 years)
Larry LaPoint (friend worked with Cliff for 27 years)
Of all of the roles that he had, and he had several good ones, I will never forget his role as Alan Maxwell in the pilot episode of "The Outer Limits." His superb acting kicked off that series and got it on the air. I never tire of watching that episode.
RIP Cliff. My condolences to your family. You will be missed.
I would just like to express condolences and our deepest sympathy on behalf of my grandmother, Barbara Lester. Barbara worked for Cliff for many years at the house in East Hampton during the time he was married to Dina Merrill. My grandmother thought very fondly of Cliff, he was such a caring man and always treated my grandmother with such kindness and respect. I enjoyed watching his movies. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family.
On behalf of the men and women of the worldwide Clan Currie, we extend our deepest sympathies to Cliff's family and friends. Cliff was a great Scottish American and friend of Clan Currie. We had the privelege of working with him many years ago at the Bonnie Brae Scottish Games in NJ.
Years later, Cliff graciously agreed to narrate our first documentary film on Scottish history. We had a wonderful time in the studio and his commitment to his craft was exceptional.
Auld acquaintance will not be forgotten.
