Chris Robinson in the 1980s on ‘General Hospital’
His fame extended beyond acting into memorable commercials, where he humorously claimed, “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV.”
Chris Robinson, the charismatic actor known for his role as a World War II bomber pilot on the 1960s ABC drama 12 O’Clock High, along with his prolonged stays on beloved soap operas General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful, has departed this world. He was 86.
His passing was solemnly announced by actor and musician MJ Allen, who shared their connection on the 2022 film Just for a Week, stating that Robinson passed away quietly on Monday at his ranch near Sedona, Arizona.
The Florida-born Robinson engaged audiences for decades with a range of roles, working with iconic figures like Burt Lancaster in The Young Savages (1961) and Birdman of Alcatraz (1962), both directed by John Frankenheimer. He also appeared alongside Ted Cassidy, famous for his role in The Addams Family, in four films, asserting his position not just as an actor but as a director.
In 1972, Robinson personified Tim Ochopee, a Vietnam vet turned Seminole who commands his pet rattlesnake, in the unique Everglades horror flick Stanley. This role stood out amid his vast portfolio and was produced by Crown International Pictures.
He took on an iconic part in 12 O’Clock High as Technical Sgt. Sandy Komansky during its second season in September 1965. He captivated audiences up till the show’s final 46 episodes wrapped up in January 1967. During his tenure on General Hospital, he became a household name, portraying Dr. Rick Webber in two separate stints ending dramatically with his character’s untimely demise served by Scotty Baldwin (Kin Shriner).
On the soap opera scene, Robinson was also known for his engaging character Jack Hamilton from The Bold and the Beautiful, who enchanted viewers with his escapades in love opposite characters like Stephanie Douglas, played by Susan Flannery, and Darlene Conley’s Sally Spectra from 1992 through 2002, resurfacing briefly in 2005.
A vivid figure beyond daytime TV, Robinson struck a chord with audiences as the voice in Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup commercials, cleverly quipping that despite lacking a medical degree, he had plenty of practice on-screen. Yet, legal challenges, specifically related to income tax evasion, prompted his replacement by Peter Bergman.
Robinson’s screen journey began on Nov. 5, 1938, in West Palm Beach, Florida as Christopher Brown Robinson. His uncredited appearances along with later robust performances in teenage cult classics and monster features like Beast From Haunted Cave, where he sported his self-designed costume, demonstrated his versatility and dedication.
With a slew of guest appearances on classic series ranging from Colt. 45 to The Fugitive, Robinson carved a niche before landing his pivotal role in 12 O’Clock High.
His cinematic exploits also led him to roles in films like Catch the Black Sunshine (1974) alongside Anthony Scott, showcasing his range as star, writer, and director. He undertook similar multiple roles in Thunder County (1974), The Intruder (1975) looking back, he candidly admitted to moving on from projects unceremoniously and The Great Balloon Race (1977).
Notable films in his palette included Because They’re Young (1960), Amy (1981), and Savannah Smiles (1982), alongside a dramatic reappearance in 2022’s Just for a Week.
Even as he faced legal setbacks, evidenced by his 1985 guilty plea to income tax evasion, which saw him serve his sentence in a pragmatic manner that allowed continued work on General Hospital, his commitment to acting shone through, pushing him to portray Jason Frame on NBC’s Another World from 1987 to 1989.
Married to his fourth wife, Jacquie, since April 2011, Robinson’s legacy continues through sons Shane, Coby, Christian, Christopher, Chris, and Taylor, alongside grandchildren Ivy, Ava, Davey, Brooks, and Knox.
His son Chris, unearthing familial narratives through documentaries like Bankrupt by Beanies (2009) and Bastard: An Illegitimate Film (2010), opened intimate windows into Robinson’s life. The latter drew on personal tales, including Chris’s own conception in Robinson’s General Hospital dressing room, a testament to their family’s complex, intertwining lives.
In the documentary’s poignant close, Chris articulated the family’s intricate connections forged through a life marked by cinematic and real-life dramas: “Even as some might not recognize him genuinely as their father, we’re bound in an unconventional but undeniably fascinating family fabric, offering us unfailing love and support,” he shared. “Our family story might be abnormal, but it certainly is endlessly captivating.”
