Woody Allen movie star Tony Roberts dies age 85 as cause of death revealed

Tony Roberts, best known for appearing in Woody Allen films including Annie Hall, has died at the age of 85. Roberts – who often appeared in Woody Allen films as the hero’s easy going best friend – distinguished himself on Broadway stages as well as screen with two Tony Nominations to his name. A close friend of Allen’s, Roberts is known for his role in 1977 hit Annie Hall as Alvy Singer’s best friend Rob.

His daughter Nicole Burley confirmed the news that Roberts had died on Friday in Manhattan to The New York Times, and revealed his cause of death was complications of lung cancer. He starred in musicals including How Now Dow Jones, Sugar and the adaptation of the film Some Like It Hot, as well as co-starring with Dame Julie Andrews for Victor/Victoria. In his Woody Allen career, Roberts appeared on stage and screen for the 1966 comedy Don’t Drink the Water and for Play It Again Sam.

He starred in Allen films including Annie Hall, Hannah and Her Sisters, Radio Days, Stardust Memories and A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy. ‘I’ve never been particularly lucky at card games. I’ve never hit a jackpot. But I have been extremely lucky in life,’ he wrote in his memoir Do You Know Me? as per ABC News. ‘Unlike many of my pals, who didn’t know what they wanted to become when they grew up, I knew I wanted to be an actor before I got to high school.’.

Roberts made his Broadway debut in 1962 in Something About a Soldier, going on to star in some of its longest running hit shows including Barefoot in the Park, Promises, They’re Playing Our Song, Jerome Robbins’ Broadway, The Sisters Rosensweig and Cabaret. He told Broadway World in 2015: ‘I was lucky enough to get in on the last years of the Golden Age of Broadway. In that era there was a lot more going on that seemed to have high quality about it and great conviction.’.

Roberts was born in New York on October 22, 1939, and was the son of radio and TV star Ken Roberts. He would go on to attend High School of Music and Art in New York and graduated from Northwestern University in Illinois. ‘I was raised in the middle of a lot of actor talk,’ he told the AP in 1985. ‘My cousin was Everett Sloane, who was a very fine actor. My father’s friends were mostly actors. I’m sure that in some way I needed to prove myself in their eyes.’.

He was married to Jennifer Lyons but the marriage ended in 1975 after six years. He is survived by his only child Nicola. Discussing his huge role in Woody Allen films in an interview, Roberts once described it as a blessing and a curse. ‘Typecasting can help you and hurt you. I don’t know ultimately how to really explain whether it was a good thing Annie Hall was an iconic film and I got identified with being Max,’ he said.

‘But then I was in six of his films, so naturally I would become identified as something by that, which may have kept other people from casting me in more anonymous roles. ‘I think it was Robert Duvall who said: “An actor’s greatest gift is his anonymity, because it’s what they don’t know that lets them accept whatever you want to show them.”‘. The world of TV and film have taken to social media to pay tribute to Roberts, as publicist Danny Deranery wrote: ‘Rest in Power Tony Roberts. He should have been nominated (and won) for an Oscar in 1977 for Annie Hall. An absolute brilliant, actor.’.

Cineworld is going all out for the release of Wicked, and we couldn’t be more excited. Fan @rufusjones1 said: ‘Rest In Manhattan Tony Roberts. “I’m at the Hong Fat Noodle Company…” what a brilliantly funny actor, able to find a still, individual space amid the anxious carnival of Woody Allen’s early genius.’. Got a story?. If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.