Michael Robbins


Michael Anthony Robbins was an English actor best known for his role as Arthur Rudge in the television sitcom On the Buses and its film spinoffs.

Early life

Michael Robbins was born in Croydon, Surrey, to Percival W. Robbins and Bertha May née Sindall, who outlived him. From 1939 to 1944 Robbins was a pupil at St Michael's College, a Catholic school for boys, in Hitchin, Hertfordshire. He then went on to work as a bank clerk and later became an actor after appearing in amateur dramatic performances also in Hitchin, where he and his family lived at the time.

Career

Robbins made his television debut as the cockney soldier in Roll-on Bloomin' Death. Primarily a comedy actor, he is best remembered for the role of Arthur Rudge, the persistently sarcastic husband of Olive, in the popular sitcom On the Buses. Robbins and Karen provided the secondary comic storyline to Reg Varney's comedy capers at the bus depot. Robbins appeared in the first six series but left before what would become the final season because he wanted to return to theatre work. He appeared in the series film spin-offs, On the Buses, Mutiny on the Buses, and Holiday on the Buses.
Robbins' other comedy credits include non-recurring roles in How's Your Father, Man About the House, Oh Brother!, The Good Life, One Foot in the Grave, The New Statesman, George and Mildred, Hi-de-Hi!, You Rang, M'Lord?, and the radio series Share and Share Alike (radio series). He appeared as a rather humorously portrayed police sergeant in the TV adaptation of Brendon Chase.
As well as these comic roles, Robbins assumed various straight roles in some of the major British television shows of the 1960s and 1970s, including that of the hard-drinking old sea dog Harry Baxter in The Saint episode The People Importers. He made appearances in Minder, The Sweeney, Z-Cars,'' Return of the Saint, Murder Most English, Rumpole Of The Bailey, The Avengers, Dixon of Dock Green, The Bill, and the 1982 Doctor Who story The Visitation.
Robbins' film credits included The Whisperers, Up The Junction, Till Death Us Do Part, The Looking Glass War, Zeppelin, The Great Muppet Caper and Blake Edwards' films The Pink Panther Strikes Again and Victor/Victoria. He also had an extensive career as a radio actor, including a role in the soap opera Waggoners' Walk.
Robbins appeared as a councillor in EastEnders'' in June 1989.

Personal life

Robbins was married to actress Hal Dyer, from 1960 until his death from prostate cancer in 1992 aged 62. Dyer died in 2011 from a brain haemorrhage.
Robbins was an indefatigable worker for charity. He was active in the Grand Order of Water Rats and the Catholic Stage Guild. In 1987 he received the Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice medal, a papal award, for his services. In one of his last television appearances, in A Little Bit of Heaven, he recalled his childhood visits to Norfolk and spoke of his faith and love of the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham.

Partial filmography

Film

Lunch Hour – HarrisA Prize of Arms – OrfordWhat a Crazy World – PercyAct of Murder – van driverThe Bargee – Bargee Rattle of a Simple Man – George – OrganiserThe Whisperers – Mr. NoonanUp the Junction – FigginsTill Death Us Do Part – Pub Landlord Crossplot – Garage attendantThe Looking Glass War – Truck DriverAll the Way Up – Taxi DriverZeppelin – Cockney SergeantVillain – BarzunOn the Buses – Arthur Rudge, Stan's brother-in-lawMutiny on the Buses – Arthur Rudge, Stan's brother-in-lawThat's Your Funeral – 2nd Funeral DirectorNo Sex Please, We're British – Car DriverHoliday on the Buses – Arthur Rudge, Stan's brother-in-lawMan About the House – Second DoormanThe Pink Panther Strikes Again – Ainsley JarvisThe Saint and the Brave Goose – BeekyThe Great Muppet Caper – Security GuardVictor/Victoria – Manager of Victoria's HotelLost In London – BillJust Ask for Diamond – The Fat Man

Television

A Chance of Thunder – MillsDeadline Midnight – first manEdgar Wallace Mysteries, "Dead Man's Chest" – Sergeant HarrisGideon's Way, "Fall High, Fall Hard" – GeorgeOn the Buses – Arthur RudgeHow's Your Father - Eddie CropperThe Sweeney, "Big Brother" – Kevin Lee