Tony Roberts, the talented and versatile theater actor who was nominated for a Tony Award, has passed away at the age of 85. Known for his work in both plays and musicals, Roberts had a long and varied career. He frequently appeared in Woody Allen films, often playing Allen’s best friend.
Roberts’ death was confirmed by his daughter, Nicole Burley, to The New York Times.
On stage, Roberts was celebrated for his friendly and approachable demeanor, making him ideal for musical comedy. He originated roles in notable Broadway productions such as How Now, Dow Jones (1967), Sugar (1972), based on the film Some Like It Hot, and Victor/Victoria (1995), where he starred alongside Julie Andrews in the stage adaptation of the beloved film. His Broadway credits also included the roller-disco musical Xanadu (2007) and The Royal Family (2009).
In his memoir, Do You Know Me?, Roberts reflected on his life with a sense of gratitude, saying, “I’ve never been particularly lucky at card games. I’ve never hit a jackpot. But I have been extremely lucky in life.” He also shared that unlike many of his friends, he had always known he wanted to be an actor, even before high school.
Tony Roberts also took the stage on Broadway in the 1966 Woody Allen comedy Don’t Drink the Water, reprising his role from the film adaptation. Additionally, he appeared in Allen’s Play It Again, Sam in 1969, a production he also starred in for the movie version.
Tony Roberts appeared in several other Woody Allen films, including Annie Hall (1977), Stardust Memories (1980), A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy (1982), Hannah and Her Sisters (1986), and Radio Days (1987).
Roberts’ strong screen presence, with his tall stature, broad shoulders, and curly brown hair, was the perfect complement to Allen’s neurotic characters. This dynamic made Roberts’ performances especially enjoyable and added humor to the scenes, as noted by The Jewish Daily Forward in 2016.
In Woody Allen: A Biography by Eric Lax, Roberts shared a memorable experience from A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy. He described a challenging scene that Allen repeatedly shot, even after editing, in an effort to achieve the exact effect he envisioned.
Tony Roberts once reflected on Woody Allen’s work, saying that after watching it multiple times, one begins to appreciate the incredible artistry behind it, with nothing being accidental.
In addition to his collaborations with Allen, Roberts appeared in films such as Serpico (1973) and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (1974).
He received two Tony Award nominations during his career — for How Now, Dow Jones and Play It Again, Sam, the latter under his stage name, Anthony Roberts. One of his most notable Broadway roles came in 2000 when he starred as the husband in Charles Busch’s hit comedy The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife.
Roberts made his Broadway debut in 1962 with the short-lived Something About a Soldier but went on to appear in several long-running hits. He replaced actors in productions like Barefoot in the Park, Promises, Promises, They’re Playing Our Song, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, The Sisters Rosensweig, and the 1998 revival of Cabaret by the Roundabout Theatre Company.
In a 2015 interview with Broadway World, Roberts reflected on his career, saying he felt fortunate to have been part of the final years of Broadway’s Golden Age, a time when shows seemed to have higher quality and deeper conviction.
Tony Roberts starred alongside Betty Buckley in the West End production of Promises, Promises, taking on the role originally played by Jack Lemmon in the stage adaptation of The Apartment.
His television career included roles in the short-lived series The Four Seasons (1984) and The Lucie Arnaz Show (1985), along with guest appearances on popular shows like Murder, She Wrote and Law & Order.
Born in New York on October 22, 1939, Roberts was the son of radio and television announcer Ken Roberts. He grew up surrounded by the world of acting, with his cousin being the well-known actor Everett Sloane and many of his father’s friends also being actors. In a 1985 interview with the AP, Roberts admitted that this environment likely motivated him to prove himself in the eyes of his peers.
He attended New York’s High School of Music and Art before graduating from Northwestern University in Illinois.
Roberts’ marriage to Jennifer Lyons ended in divorce, and he is survived by his daughter, actress Nicole Burley.
He first met Woody Allen backstage while starring in Barefoot in the Park, a role he took over from Robert Redford. Although Roberts had auditioned unsuccessfully four times for Allen’s first Broadway play, Don’t Drink the Water, seeing him perform in Barefoot in the Park convinced Allen that Roberts was right for his films. Allen reportedly told him, “You were great. How come you’re such a lousy auditioner?”