Jason Nelson Robards, Jr., a renowned American actor, was born in Chicago, Illinois, to Hope Maxine (Glanville) and renowned stage and film star Jason Robards Sr. He possessed a rich ancestry, consisting of Swedish, English, Welsh, German, and Irish heritage. As a young man, Robards spent most of his childhood in Los Angeles.
During his high school years at Hollywood High School, Robards excelled as a star athlete. Upon completing his education, he served in the United States Navy during World War II, where he saw combat as a radioman. Although he is not listed in official records of Navy Cross winners, despite claims made by himself and his public relations team, Robards did not participate in the Pearl Harbor attack on December 7, 1941, as his ship was at sea at the time.
Following his military service, Robards attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and struggled as a small-part actor in local New York theatre, television, and radio productions. However, his career took a significant turn when he achieved fame on the New York stage in Eugene O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh," playing the role of Hickey.
Robards continued to impress audiences with his masterful portrayal of Jamie Tyrone in "Long Day's Journey Into Night" on Broadway. He subsequently transitioned to feature films, making his debut in "The Journey" (1959). His rapid rise to fame as a film star led to numerous accolades, including consecutive Academy Awards for Best Supporting Actor for "All the President's Men" (1976) and "Julia" (1977),in which he portrayed real-life individuals.
Throughout his career, Robards continued to work on the stage, earning continued acclaim for his performances in O'Neill's works, such as "Moon for the Misbegotten" and "Hughie." Tragically, Robards passed away in 2000 due to lung cancer.
