The actress began her movie career as a stuntwoman before going on to become a star in the 1953 cinematic classic, The War of the Worlds. Based on H.G. Wells’ 1898 novel, the Oscar-winning film centered on Robinson’s library science teacher character, Sylvia Van Buren, who teams up with Gene Barry’s Pacific Tech professor character, Clayton Forrester, trying to figure out how to defeat Martians. The movie won an Academy Award for best visual effects as the Martians wielded a deadly heat ray that killed
everything in its path. In 2011, The War of the Worlds was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry for its cultural significance and aesthetic appeal. Spielberg tackled his own version in 2005 with Tom Cruise Director Steven Spielberg newly adapted the movie again in 2005 with Tom Cruise in the starring role although Robinson and Barry made memorable cameos as the grandmother and grandfather of Cruise’s children in the film. Robinson said working with Spielberg, a die-hard fan of the original, made them
feel like Hollywood royalty. The actress had a long list of film and TV credits but few matched The War of the Worlds as she had multiple guest roles on famous TV shows like Dragnet, Perry Mason, Alfred Hitchcock Presents, and even Gilligan’s Island. She is survived by her son, Jaime Bravo Jr., and two grandchildren.
Ann Robinson, The War of the Worlds, Sylvia Van Buren, Gene Barry, Clayton Forrester, National Film Registry, Spielberg, Tom Cruise, Academy Award for visual effects