Jason Nelson Robards, Jr., (July 26, 1922 – December 26, 2000) was an American actor. He became famous playing works of American dramatist Eugene O'Neill, and would regularly play O'Neill's works throughout his career. Robards was cast in both common-man roles and as well known historical figures.

Biography

Early life

Robards was born in Chicago, the son of Hope Maxine (née Glanville) and Jason Robards, Sr.,Jason Robards genealogy. an actor who regularly appeared on the stage and in such early films as The Gamblers (1929) and was among the better-known actors of the first half of the twentieth century. The family moved to New York City when young Jason was still a toddler, and then moved to Los Angeles when he was six years old. Later interviews with Robards suggested that the trauma of his parents' divorce, which occurred during his grade-school years, greatly affected his personality and worldview. Jason as a youth also witnessed first-hand the decline of his father's acting career -- the elder Robards had enjoyed considerable success during the era of silent films, but he fell out of favor after the advent of "talkies", leaving Jason Jr. soured on the Hollywood film industry. The teenaged Robards excelled in athletics, running a 4:18 mile during his junior year at Hollywood High School. Although his prowess in sports attracted interest from several universities, upon his graduation in 1940 Robards decided to join the U. S. Navy.

Naval service in World War II

Radioman 3rd class Robards joined the heavy cruiser USS Northampton (CA-26) in 1941. He was aboard her at sea 100 miles away when the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor occurred and, contrary to some stories, witnessed the devastation of the attack only afterwards, when Northampton returned to Pearl two days later. Bloomfield, Gary L. & Shain, Stacie L., with Davidson, Arlen C., Duty, Honor, Applause: America's Entertainers in World War II, 2004, p. 264. ISBN 1592285503 Northampton was later directed into the Guadalcanal campaign, where it was involved in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.