Jason Nelson Robards, Jr., (July 26, 1922 – December 26, 2000) was an Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning American actor and a WWII U.S. Navy combat veteran. 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.

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.