Actor Bob May Dies at 69 (Robot on "Lost in Space") - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 01-19-2009, 01:43 AM

Link

LOS ANGELES -- Bob May, who in an entertainment career spanning more than 65 years won over a cult following as The Robot in the hit 1960s television show "Lost in Space," died Sunday of congestive heart failure. He was 69.

May died at a hospital in Lancaster, his daughter, Deborah May, told The Associated Press.

He was a veteran actor and stuntman who had appeared in movies, TV shows and on the vaudeville stage when he was tapped by "Lost in Space" creator Irwin Allen to play the Robinson family's loyal metal sidekick in the hit series that debuted in 1965.

"He always said he got the job because he fit in the robot suit," said June Lockhart, who played family matriarch Maureen Robinson. "It was one of those wonderful Hollywood stories. He just happened to be on the studio lot when someone saw him and sent him to see Irwin Allen about the part. Allen said, 'If you can fit in the suit you've got the job.'"

Although May didn't provide the robot's distinctive voice (that was done by announcer Dick Tufeld), he developed a devoted following of fans who sought him out at memorabilia shows.

"We gave them entertainment. We didn't try to lecture them. We just wanted to have fun with the family," he said at a 1995 reunion of the "Lost in Space" cast.

"Lost in Space" was a space-age retelling of "The Swiss Family Robinson" story in which Professor John Robinson, his wife and their children were on a space mission when their craft was knocked hopelessly off course by the evil Dr. Zachary Smith, who became trapped in space with them.

May's robot was the Robinson family's loyal sidekick, warning them of approaching disaster at every turn. His often-quoted expression to one of the children, "Danger, Will Robinson," became a national catch phrase.

The grandson of famed vaudeville comedian Chic Johnson, May was introduced to show business at age 2 when he began appearing in the "Hellzapoppin" comedy revue with Johnson and his partner, Ole Olsen.

He worked in vaudeville, nightclubs and theaters.

"My dad always ended his shows the same way his grandfather did, with a toast. May you live as long as you want to and may you laugh as long as you live," his daughter said.

He went on to appear in numerous films with Jerry Lewis and in such TV shows as "The Time Tunnel," "McHale's Navy and "The Red Skelton Show."

He was also a stuntman in such 1950s and '60s TV shows as "Cheyenne," "Surfside 6," "Hawaiian Eye," "The Roaring 20s" and "Stagecoach."

He was particularly fond of his Robot role, once saying he came to consider the suit a "home away from home."

He worked incredibly hard at the role, Lockhart said, wearing the suit for hours at a time and learning the lines of every actor in the show so he would know when to respond to their cues. Because it wasn't easy to get in and out of the suit, he kept it on during breaks.

"He was a smoker," Lockhart remembered. "From time to time (when he was on a break) we'd see smoke coming out of the robot. That always amused us."

May and his wife lost their house in November when a wildfire destroyed their upscale mobile home park in the San Fernando Valley's Sylmar section. It was one of 484 homes destroyed.

Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Judith; his daughter; his son, Martin; and four grandchildren.

Funeral services are pending.

Mikado · 01-19-2009, 02:49 AM

DANGER, DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!!!!!

Mikado · 01-19-2009, 02:59 AM

Bill Mumy once related a tale about how , when he was at a Sci-fi convention, representing Lost in Space, he saw a man signing autographs at the LOS table.....He looked at the man quizically, cause he had no idea who the man was, so , he approached him and introduced himself as Bill Mumy; the man at the table shook his hand and replied that he was Bob May, who'd played the robot on the show, and, that he was pleased to meet a fan!

(of course, mr. Mumy KNEW the man was an imposter), So Billy Mumy had a good laugh and left the man alone!

The Robot B-9 has a huge following (incl me, I have a 21/2 inch tall model of robot B-9)

Scoobiedoo30 · 01-20-2009, 06:30 PM

I am very sad to report that The Actor Bob May Who played The Robot in Lost in Space has died at the age of 69 Bob May Passed Away of Congestive Heart Failure at a Los Angeles Hospital.

Zoneboy · 01-20-2009, 06:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scoobiedoo30

I am very sad to report that The Actor Bob May Who played The Robot in Lost in Space has died at the age of 69 Bob May Passed Away of Congestive Heart Failure at a Los Angeles Hospital.

Thanks, Aaron. If someone wants to merge my thread in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy shows forum with this one that would be great.

MickeyMac · 01-20-2009, 06:49 PM

Yeah I was told about that yesterday, sad.

Mikado · 01-21-2009, 12:44 AM

This robot fascinated me as a child, I was soooo upset when they replaced him (and the Jupiter 2)with an updated version in that awful movie remake!!!!

Mikado · 01-21-2009, 08:49 PM

catlover79 · 01-21-2009, 10:31 PM

comedyfreak · 01-31-2009, 10:57 AM

AWWWWWWWWWWw. I just found out

I just met him in October at the Hollywood Collector's Show. He was so nice and talked alot about the show and how highly he thought of Bill Mumy and that he didn't like the LIS remake. I took a picture with him and got his autograph.

Mikado · 01-31-2009, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by comedyfreak

AWWWWWWWWWWw. I just found out

I just met him in October at the Hollywood Collector's Show. He was so nice and talked alot about the show and how highly he thought of Bill Mumy and that he didn't like the LIS remake. I took a picture with him and got his autograph.

Do you have a scanner? Is there a way you could post that pic here? (That would be a great tribute to Bob May

comedyfreak · 02-02-2009, 12:06 PM

I posted it in the Lost In Space Boards here's the link.
http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=233824

01-19-2009, 01:43 AM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Actor Bob May Dies at 69 (Robot on "Lost in Space") Link LOS ANGELES -- Bob May, who in an entertainment career spanning more than 65 years won over a cult following as The Robot in the hit 1960s television show "Lost in Space," died Sunday of congestive heart failure. He was 69. May died at a hospital in Lancaster, his daughter, Deborah May, told The Associated Press. He was a veteran actor and stuntman who had appeared in movies, TV shows and on the vaudeville stage when he was tapped by "Lost in Space" creator Irwin Allen to play the Robinson family's loyal metal sidekick in the hit series that debuted in 1965. "He always said he got the job because he fit in the robot suit," said June Lockhart, who played family matriarch Maureen Robinson. "It was one of those wonderful Hollywood stories. He just happened to be on the studio lot when someone saw him and sent him to see Irwin Allen about the part. Allen said, 'If you can fit in the suit you've got the job.'" Although May didn't provide the robot's distinctive voice (that was done by announcer Dick Tufeld), he developed a devoted following of fans who sought him out at memorabilia shows. "We gave them entertainment. We didn't try to lecture them. We just wanted to have fun with the family," he said at a 1995 reunion of the "Lost in Space" cast. "Lost in Space" was a space-age retelling of "The Swiss Family Robinson" story in which Professor John Robinson, his wife and their children were on a space mission when their craft was knocked hopelessly off course by the evil Dr. Zachary Smith, who became trapped in space with them. May's robot was the Robinson family's loyal sidekick, warning them of approaching disaster at every turn. His often-quoted expression to one of the children, "Danger, Will Robinson," became a national catch phrase. The grandson of famed vaudeville comedian Chic Johnson, May was introduced to show business at age 2 when he began appearing in the "Hellzapoppin" comedy revue with Johnson and his partner, Ole Olsen. He worked in vaudeville, nightclubs and theaters. "My dad always ended his shows the same way his grandfather did, with a toast. May you live as long as you want to and may you laugh as long as you live," his daughter said. He went on to appear in numerous films with Jerry Lewis and in such TV shows as "The Time Tunnel," "McHale's Navy and "The Red Skelton Show." He was also a stuntman in such 1950s and '60s TV shows as "Cheyenne," "Surfside 6," "Hawaiian Eye," "The Roaring 20s" and "Stagecoach." He was particularly fond of his Robot role, once saying he came to consider the suit a "home away from home." He worked incredibly hard at the role, Lockhart said, wearing the suit for hours at a time and learning the lines of every actor in the show so he would know when to respond to their cues. Because it wasn't easy to get in and out of the suit, he kept it on during breaks. "He was a smoker," Lockhart remembered. "From time to time (when he was on a break) we'd see smoke coming out of the robot. That always amused us." May and his wife lost their house in November when a wildfire destroyed their upscale mobile home park in the San Fernando Valley's Sylmar section. It was one of 484 homes destroyed. Survivors include his wife of 48 years, Judith; his daughter; his son, Martin; and four grandchildren. Funeral services are pending.

01-19-2009, 02:49 AM	#2
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	Never to be forgotten DANGER, DANGER, WILL ROBINSON!!!!! Attached Images

01-19-2009, 02:59 AM	#3
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	A funny story Bill Mumy once related a tale about how , when he was at a Sci-fi convention, representing Lost in Space, he saw a man signing autographs at the LOS table.....He looked at the man quizically, cause he had no idea who the man was, so , he approached him and introduced himself as Bill Mumy; the man at the table shook his hand and replied that he was Bob May, who'd played the robot on the show, and, that he was pleased to meet a fan! (of course, mr. Mumy KNEW the man was an imposter), So Billy Mumy had a good laugh and left the man alone! The Robot B-9 has a huge following (incl me, I have a 21/2 inch tall model of robot B-9) Attached Images

01-20-2009, 06:30 PM	#4
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Lost in Space Robot Actor Dies I am very sad to report that The Actor Bob May Who played The Robot in Lost in Space has died at the age of 69 Bob May Passed Away of Congestive Heart Failure at a Los Angeles Hospital.
	__________________ Who Dat

01-21-2009, 08:49 PM	#8
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	Attached Images

01-20-2009, 06:49 PM	#6
MickeyMac Member Forum Star Join Date: Jun 18, 2008 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 19,004	Yeah I was told about that yesterday, sad.

01-21-2009, 12:44 AM	#7
Mikado Main st bridge Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 06, 2005 Posts: 25,880	This robot fascinated me as a child, I was soooo upset when they replaced him (and the Jupiter 2)with an updated version in that awful movie remake!!!!

01-21-2009, 10:31 PM	#9
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013

01-31-2009, 10:57 AM	#10
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	AWWWWWWWWWWw. I just found out I just met him in October at the Hollywood Collector's Show. He was so nice and talked alot about the show and how highly he thought of Bill Mumy and that he didn't like the LIS remake. I took a picture with him and got his autograph.
	__________________ www.facebook.com/comedyfreak

02-02-2009, 12:06 PM	#12
comedyfreak Cheers! Forum Fanatic Join Date: Dec 14, 2005 Location: Sunny California Posts: 11,058	I posted it in the Lost In Space Boards here's the link. http://www.sitcomsonline.com/boards/...d.php?t=233824