- Born
- Died
- Birth nameJoseph William Robinson Harle
- Height6′ 2″ (1.88 m)
- Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1927 (not 1929 as some references give) Joe Robinson came from a famous family of wrestlers. Both his father Joseph Robinson Senior and grandfather John were world champions. Following in their footsteps Joe Junior won the wrestling European Heavyweight Championship in 1952, beating Axel Cadier in London. At that time he was billed as Tiger Joe Robinson. He was also interested in acting and studied at R.A.D.A. After injuring his back wrestling in Paris, Joe decided to concentrate on acting, and after a few bit parts in films his first leading role came in the keep-fit documentary Fit as a fiddle (1952). He also played Harry "Muscles" Green in the musical Wish You Were Here (1952) on the West End stage. His most memorable film role was in A Kid For Two Farthings (1955) in which he wrestled Primo Carnera. Like most muscular actors he was invited to Rome in 1960 where he appeared in five Italian epics. At the same time, Joe and his younger brother Doug Robinson became popular stunt arrangers, particularly on the James Bond films. Joe and Doug, together with Honor Blackman co-authored the book "Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence" published by Andre Deutsch in 1965. Joe was also a judo champion and black belt at karate, and opened a martial arts centre in Brighton where he is now retired.- IMDb Mini Biography By: Jim Marshall
- He came from a family of wrestlers, his grandfather, John and father Joseph sr were both world champion wrestlers. Joe Jr won the European Heavyweight title in London in 1952 billed as Tiger Joe Robinson, , Having injured his back he gave up wrestling to act and studied at RADA, In 1952 he was on stage in the West End in Wish You Were Here. His younger brother Doug,, whose full name was Douglas Bowbank Robinon was born in Newcastle 8/2/30 and followed in his footsteps wrestling and then as a film stuntman- IMDb Mini Biography By: Tonyman 5
- SpousesAnnie Alliston(1961 - ?) (separated, 2 children)? (divorced, 2 children)
- Hit the headlines in 1998 when he fought off a gang of eight muggers single-handed. The 70-year-old former bodybuilder and Italian epic star was getting off a bus in Cape Town, South Africa when the gang struck with baseball bats and knives. 6 ft 2 ins Joe poleaxed two with flying kicks, karate-chopped another in the chest and broke the arm of a fourth. The rest fled!
- Doug and Joe Robinson taught actress Honor Blackman Judo self-defense tactics for her part in The Avengers (1961). The two brothers appeared as foils in many pictures for her 1965 book 'Honor Blackman's Book of Self-Defence'.
- Children from first marriage: Joe and Lisa. From second marriage: Kate and Polly.
- Of his eleven grandchildren Kyra is an IBJIF jiu-jitsu champion and Phoebe is a stunt woman.
- Brother of actor/stunt man Doug Robinson
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