Joseph "Joe" Robinson (31 May 1927 – 3 July 2017) was an English actor and stunt performer whose career spanned film and television in the mid-20th century. He combined imposing physical presence with trained stunt skills, which led to frequent casting in action-oriented parts, supporting roles and a small number of leading performances in genre pictures.

Career and notable roles

Robinson appeared in a range of British productions from the 1950s onward. He is often remembered for his parts in commercially and critically recognized films: the ensemble drama A Kid for Two Farthings and the social-realist classic The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner. He also starred in popular adventure and sword‑and‑sandal films such as Thor and the Amazon Women, where his physique and stunt experience were central to the role. In addition to on-camera acting, Robinson worked as a stuntman, performing fights and other physically demanding sequences that required coordination and safety expertise.

Screen persona and skills

As an actor he was typically cast in roles that played to his strength and athleticism—henchmen, warriors, strongmen and other physically assertive characters. Colleagues noted his professionalism on set and ability to execute complex stunt work safely. His background as a performer who could both act and carry out stunts made him a valuable collaborator on action scenes in an era when separate specialists for every effect were less common than today.

Later life and death

Robinson lived into his nineties and retired from regular screen work in later decades. He died on 3 July 2017 in Brighton, East Sussex, at the age of 90. Reports attributed his passing to complications related to dementia, a condition that affects memory and other cognitive functions in older adults.

Selected filmography and legacy

  • A Kid for Two Farthings (supporting role)
  • The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner (supporting appearance)
  • Thor and the Amazon Women (lead/action role)

While Robinson may not be as widely known as some leading stars, his work illustrates the important role that physically skilled character actors and stunt performers played in mid-20th-century cinema. His combination of acting ability and stuntcraft provided memorable contributions to a range of British and international productions, and he is still cited by enthusiasts of classic action and adventure films for his distinctive screen presence.