Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England in 1927, Joe Robinson was a renowned wrestler and actor, hailing from a illustrious family of wrestling champions. His father, Joseph Robinson Senior, and grandfather, John, were both world champions, setting the stage for Joe Junior's own wrestling prowess.
In 1952, Joe won the wrestling European Heavyweight Championship, defeating Axel Cadier in London, and was billed as Tiger Joe Robinson. Simultaneously, he pursued his passion for acting, studying at the renowned Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).
However, a back injury sustained while wrestling in Paris led Joe to focus solely on acting, which ultimately led to his breakthrough role in the keep-fit documentary "Fit as a Fiddle" (1952). He then made his mark on the West End stage as Harry "Muscles" Green in the musical "Wish You Were Here" (1952).
Joe's most notable film role was in "A Kid for Two Farthings" (1955),where he engaged in a wrestling match with the legendary Primo Carnera. As a muscular actor, he was invited to Rome in 1960 to appear in five Italian epics.
In addition to his acting career, Joe and his younger brother, Doug Robinson, became prominent stunt arrangers, particularly on the James Bond films. They also co-authored the book "Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence" with Honor Blackman, published by Andre Deutsch in 1965.
Joe was a multi-talented individual, holding black belt rankings in both judo and karate. He even opened a martial arts centre in Brighton, where he currently resides in retirement.
