# Charlie Robinson (actor)
**Charlie Robinson** (1945–2021) was an American stage, film, and television actor best known for playing Mac Robinson, the level-headed court clerk on the NBC sitcom *Night Court* from 1984 to 1992.[1](https://www.fandango.com/people/charlie-robinson-572136) • [2](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5452d441e4b0c188b51fef1a/t/60f0987d4a38513808d73da9/1626380420689/2021-07-15.pdf) Over a career of roughly fifty years he worked steadily as a character actor in television and film while maintaining a parallel stage career, winning an Ovation Award for his portrayal of Troy Maxson in [August Wilson](https://www.edgepedia.org/august-wilson)'s *Fences* and playing [Willy Loman](https://www.edgepedia.org/willy-loman) in *Death of a Salesman* at South Coast Repertory.[3](https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2021-07-14/charlie-robinson-actor-court-clerk-night-court-dies) • [4](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-charlie-robinson-death-salesman-20130908-story.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1945, Houston, Texas[1](https://www.fandango.com/people/charlie-robinson-572136) |
| Signature role | Mac Robinson, court clerk on NBC's *Night Court*, 1984–1992[1](https://www.fandango.com/people/charlie-robinson-572136) |
| Earlier series work | Newdell on the 1983 sitcom *Buffalo Bill*; later regular roles on *Love & War*, *Ink*, and *Buddy Faro*[2](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5452d441e4b0c188b51fef1a/t/60f0987d4a38513808d73da9/1626380420689/2021-07-15.pdf) • [5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/) |
| Film debut | *Drive, He Said* (1971), directed by Jack Nicholson[3](https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2021-07-14/charlie-robinson-actor-court-clerk-night-court-dies) |
| Stage honors | Ovation Award for Best Actor as Troy in *Fences* (Oregon Shakespeare Festival, South Coast Repertory)[5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/) |
| Died | July 11, 2021, at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, Los Angeles, age 75[2](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5452d441e4b0c188b51fef1a/t/60f0987d4a38513808d73da9/1626380420689/2021-07-15.pdf) |
## Early life and start in acting
Robinson was born in Houston, Texas, in 1945.[1](https://www.fandango.com/people/charlie-robinson-572136) In his teens he sang with a local group that later became known nationally as Archie Bell and the Drells, but he did not want a musician's life; he told the *Houston Chronicle* that watching television one day he decided, "That's for me, I said. I want to be an actor."[3](https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2021-07-14/charlie-robinson-actor-court-clerk-night-court-dies) • [6](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/charlie-robinson-dead/2021/07/13/6a2102a0-e41e-11eb-b722-89ea0dde7771_story.html) Fandango's biography adds that he was working as a toolmaker when the inspiration struck while watching [Bill Cosby](https://www.edgepedia.org/bill-cosby) in an episode of *I Spy*, and that he enrolled in acting classes at Houston's Studio 7.[1](https://www.fandango.com/people/charlie-robinson-572136)
His training also included the [University of Houston](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-houston), the Alley Theatre, Mark Taper Too, the Inner City Cultural Center, and South Coast Repertory, and he was a longtime member of The Actors Studio.[5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/) He moved to Hollywood in 1971 and won a small role that year in *Drive, He Said*, a low-budget drama directed by [Jack Nicholson](https://www.edgepedia.org/jack-nicholson), then worked steadily for the next five decades.[3](https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2021-07-14/charlie-robinson-actor-court-clerk-night-court-dies)
## Television career
**Before *Night Court*.** Robinson's early screen work included the films *Sugar Hill* (1974) and *Gray Lady Down* (1978), and he co-starred on the 1983 sitcom *Buffalo Bill*, a short-lived but well-regarded series in which he played Newdell.[2](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5452d441e4b0c188b51fef1a/t/60f0987d4a38513808d73da9/1626380420689/2021-07-15.pdf) • [5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/) He also appeared on NBC's *Flamingo Road* as Phil.[7](https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/charlie-robinson)
***[Night Court](https://www.edgepedia.org/night-court)*.** From 1984 to 1992 Robinson played Mac Robinson, the clerk of the court on NBC's Manhattan municipal-court sitcom, appearing for most of the show's run.[1](https://www.fandango.com/people/charlie-robinson-572136) • [8](https://www.thewrap.com/charlie-robinson-night-court-star-dies-at-75/) The character was known for his level-headedness amid the court's wacky antics, for his regular outfit of a plaid shirt with a cardigan and necktie, and, as written in one obituary, for being a [Vietnam War](https://www.edgepedia.org/vietnam-war) veteran.[2](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5452d441e4b0c188b51fef1a/t/60f0987d4a38513808d73da9/1626380420689/2021-07-15.pdf) • [8](https://www.thewrap.com/charlie-robinson-night-court-star-dies-at-75/) Robinson said in a 2009 interview at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences event "Funnybone of the '80s" that viewers liked Mac because he "kind of kept the lid over the pot, so to speak."[9](https://obits.dallasnews.com/news/charlie-robinson-1945-2021-starred-as-mac-on-night-court)
**After *Night Court*.** Robinson held series-regular roles on *Love & War* (as Abe Johnson), *Ink*, and *Buddy Faro* (as El Jefe), and recurring roles on *Home Improvement* (as Bud Harper), *The Secret Life of the American Teenager*, *Hart of Dixie* (as Sergeant Jeffries), and *The Game* (as Thomas Pitts).[5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/) • [7](https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/charlie-robinson) Guest appearances included *Hill Street Blues*, *The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air*, *How I Met Your Mother*, *30 Rock*, *House*, *Big Love*, *Cold Case*, and *The Bernie Mac Show*.[2](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5452d441e4b0c188b51fef1a/t/60f0987d4a38513808d73da9/1626380420689/2021-07-15.pdf) • [5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/) He won Cammie Awards for the television movies *Miss Lettie and Me* and *Secret Santa*.[5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/) He kept working late in life, with film credits including *Blindfire* and *Senior Entourage* in 2020.[1](https://www.fandango.com/people/charlie-robinson-572136)
## Film work
Robinson's film credits ranged from early 1970s releases to late-career independent films: *Apocalypse Now*, *The River*, *Gray Lady Down*, *Beowulf*, *Set It Off*, *Antwone Fisher*, *Even Money*, *Jackson*, *Steam*, *Sweet Kandy*, and *The House Bunny*, among others.[5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/)
## Stage career
Robinson performed regularly at the [Pasadena Playhouse](https://www.edgepedia.org/pasadena-playhouse) and South Coast Repertory, and obituaries described him as a prolific stage actor.[3](https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2021-07-14/charlie-robinson-actor-court-clerk-night-court-dies) • [6](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/charlie-robinson-dead/2021/07/13/6a2102a0-e41e-11eb-b722-89ea0dde7771_story.html) His signature stage role was Troy Maxson in August Wilson's *Fences*, which he played several times, including at the [Oregon Shakespeare Festival](https://www.edgepedia.org/oregon-shakespeare-festival) and at South Coast Repertory; his portrayal earned him the Ovation Award for Best Actor in Los Angeles theater.[4](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-charlie-robinson-death-salesman-20130908-story.html) • [5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/) He also played Becker in Wilson's *Jitney* at South Coast Repertory and the Pasadena Playhouse, and Simon in the West Coast premiere of *The Whipping Man* at The Old Globe.[4](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-charlie-robinson-death-salesman-20130908-story.html) • [5](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/)
In 2013 he took on Willy Loman in an all-black production of [Arthur Miller](https://www.edgepedia.org/arthur-miller)'s *Death of a Salesman* at South Coast Repertory, directed by Marc Masterson. Robinson told the *Los Angeles Times* that he had become "something of a go-to guy" for plays about fathers in bad relationships with their sons, and that playing such roles had made him "more thankful for the life I have."[4](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-charlie-robinson-death-salesman-20130908-story.html) He believed it was legitimate for Black actors to play roles first conceived for white actors, saying, "I think you can grow by playing this role."[4](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-charlie-robinson-death-salesman-20130908-story.html)
Near the end of his life he starred as Donald Jones, an ailing 82-year-old former taxi driver from [Mississippi](https://www.edgepedia.org/mississippi), opposite [Wendell Pierce](https://www.edgepedia.org/wendell-pierce) in James Anthony Tyler's *Some Old Black Man*; a 2021 digital version of the two-hander, directed by Joe Cacaci, was staged at 59E59 Theaters in New York in 2018 before being filmed.[10](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/mar/04/some-old-black-man-review-wendell-pierce-charlie-robinson) The *Guardian*'s review described Robinson's performance as "fierce, curmudgeonly and unforgiving, with sudden plunges into vulnerability."[10](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/mar/04/some-old-black-man-review-wendell-pierce-charlie-robinson)
## Death
Robinson died on July 11, 2021, at [Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center](https://www.edgepedia.org/ronald-reagan-ucla-medical-center) in Los Angeles, at the age of 75. The cause was cardiac arrest with multisystem organ failure due to septic shock and metastatic adenocarcinoma, according to his manager, Lisa DiSante-Frank.[2](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5452d441e4b0c188b51fef1a/t/60f0987d4a38513808d73da9/1626380420689/2021-07-15.pdf) • [11](https://www.tvinsider.com/1005359/night-court-star-charlie-robinson-dies-at-75/) His wife, the actress Dolorita Noonan-Robinson, called him "truly the working actor's actor."[3](https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2021-07-14/charlie-robinson-actor-court-clerk-night-court-dies) He was survived by his wife and four children, Charlie, Luca, Christian, and Byron, along with grandchildren and great-grandchildren.[3](https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2021-07-14/charlie-robinson-actor-court-clerk-night-court-dies) When NBC launched a *Night Court* sequel series in 2023, press coverage listed Robinson among the late members of the original cast.[12](https://apnews.com/article/5c47c75728e1ae12dfb9b2648bc4a23d)
## References
1. [Charlie Robinson Overview and Filmography, Fandango](https://www.fandango.com/people/charlie-robinson-572136)
2. [Charlie Robinson, actor starred in 'Night Court', The Downey Patriot (July 15, 2021)](https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5452d441e4b0c188b51fef1a/t/60f0987d4a38513808d73da9/1626380420689/2021-07-15.pdf)
3. [Charlie Robinson, 'Night Court' actor, dead, Los Angeles Times (July 14, 2021)](https://www.latimes.com/obituaries/story/2021-07-14/charlie-robinson-actor-court-clerk-night-court-dies)
4. [Charlie Robinson has no delusions playing Willy Loman, Los Angeles Times (September 8, 2013)](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/arts/culture/la-et-cm-charlie-robinson-death-salesman-20130908-story.html)
5. [Charlie Robinson, PlayMakers Repertory Company artist profile](https://playmakersrep.org/artists/charlie-robinson/)
6. [Charles Robinson, who played court clerk on long-running 'Night Court,' dies at 75, The Washington Post (July 13, 2021)](https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/obituaries/charlie-robinson-dead/2021/07/13/6a2102a0-e41e-11eb-b722-89ea0dde7771_story.html)
7. [Charlie Robinson, Los Angeles Theatre Works artist profile](https://latw.org/artist-public-profile/charlie-robinson)
8. [Charlie Robinson, 'Night Court' Star, Dies at 75, TheWrap](https://www.thewrap.com/charlie-robinson-night-court-star-dies-at-75/)
9. [Charlie Robinson (1945–2021), starred as Mac on "Night Court", Legacy.com/Dallas Morning News](https://obits.dallasnews.com/news/charlie-robinson-1945-2021-starred-as-mac-on-night-court)
10. [Some Old Black Man review, The Guardian (March 4, 2021)](https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2021/mar/04/some-old-black-man-review-wendell-pierce-charlie-robinson)
11. ['Night Court' Star Charlie Robinson Dies at 75, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/1005359/night-court-star-charlie-robinson-dies-at-75/)
12. ['Night Court' reboot returns favorite but set in modern day, AP News](https://apnews.com/article/5c47c75728e1ae12dfb9b2648bc4a23d)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Screen actors of the Anglosphere and Europe › American actors: 1970s to 1990s › Surnames Ro to Sa*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license