Celebrated Actor Tony Roberts, Known for His Versatility on Stage and Screen, Passes Away at 85

Tony Roberts, a well-loved actor known for his dynamic performances in both theater and film, has passed away at the age of 85. Renowned for his collaborations with Woody Allen, Roberts often played the role of Allen’s best friend on screen. The New York Times announced his death, which was confirmed by his daughter, Nicole Burley.

Roberts’s charismatic stage presence made him a natural fit for musical comedies. He was instrumental in originating roles for an array of Broadway productions, including “How Now, Dow Jones” (1967), “Sugar” (1972), the film-adapted “Victor/Victoria” (1995) alongside Julie Andrews, and “Xanadu” in 2007. His talents further shone in revivals such as “The Royal Family” in 2009.

Reflecting on his career in his memoir “Do You Know Me?” Roberts shared, “I’ve never been particularly lucky at card games, and I’ve never hit a jackpot. But I have been extremely lucky in life.” He knew from a young age that acting was his calling, even before high school.

His Broadway credits also extend to performances in Woody Allen’s “Don’t Drink the Water” (1966), where he reprised his role in the film adaptation, and “Play It Again, Sam” (1969), both on stage and screen.

Roberts’s filmography with Allen includes classics like “Annie Hall” (1977), “Stardust Memories” (1980), “A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy” (1982), “Hannah and Her Sisters” (1986), and “Radio Days” (1987). As noted by The Jewish Daily Forward in 2016, his strong screen presence complemented Allen’s neurotic characters, enhancing their humor.

Eric Lax’s book “Woody Allen: A Biography” details Roberts’s experience filming “A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy,” recounting Allen’s meticulous attention to detail and his insistence on perfecting scenes.

Beyond his collaborations with Allen, Roberts appeared in films such as “Serpico” (1973) and “The Taking of Pelham One Two Three” (1974). His Broadway achievements earned him two Tony Award nominations: one for “How Now, Dow Jones” and another for “Play It Again, Sam,” where he was credited as Anthony Roberts.

A major Broadway success was his role in Charles Busch’s comedic hit “The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife” (2000), playing the husband of the titular character.

Making his Broadway debut in 1962 with “Something About a Soldier,” Roberts transitioned to replacements in iconic productions like “Barefoot in the Park,” “Promises, Promises,” “They’re Playing Our Song,” “Jerome Robbins’ Broadway,” “The Sisters Rosensweig,” and the 1998 Roundabout Theatre Company revival of “Cabaret.”

In an interview with Broadway World in 2015, Roberts reflected on his career timing, commenting, “I was fortunate to catch the tail end of Broadway’s Golden Age. Back then, there seemed to be more of a commitment to quality and conviction.”

Internationally, he starred with Betty Buckley in London’s West End adaptation of “Promises, Promises,” portraying a role originally played by Jack Lemmon in “The Apartment.”

Roberts’s television work includes appearances in “The Four Seasons” (1984), “The Lucie Arnaz Show” (1985), and guest roles on popular shows like “Murder, She Wrote” and “Law & Order.”

Born in New York on October 22, 1939, Tony Roberts was the son of acclaimed radio and television announcer Ken Roberts. In a 1985 interview with the AP, he reminisced, “I grew up surrounded by the theater world, with my father’s friends mostly being actors, and I felt the need to prove myself.”

Educated at the High School of Music and Art in New York and graduating from Northwestern University in Illinois, Roberts’s personal life saw his marriage to Jennifer Lyons end in divorce. He is survived by his daughter, actress Nicole Burley.

A turning point in Roberts’s career came when he met Woody Allen while starring in “Barefoot in the Park,” replacing Robert Redford. Initially unsuccessful in his auditions for Allen’s “Don’t Drink the Water,” his performance in “Barefoot in the Park” won Allen over. According to his memoir, Allen praised him, saying, “You were great. How come you’re such a lousy auditioner?”