Robert Newton
Biography
Robert Newton was one of the great character actors -- and great characters -- of the British cinema, best remembered today for playing Long John Silver in Treasure Island (1950) and its sequel in 1954. His portrayal of Long John Silver and of Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952) created a persona that was so indelible that his vocal intonations created the paradigm for scores of people who want to "Talk Like a Pirate." The performance overshadows Newton's legacy, which is based on many first-rate performances in such movies as This Happy Breed (1944), Odd Man Out (1947) and Oliver Twist (1948), where his Bill Sykes is truly chilling. Oliver Reed, who played Sykes in the Oscar-winning movie musical Oliver! (1968) was influenced by Newton.
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Full filmography
- Climax! (1954) as Keith Dorrant
- Alfred Hitchcock Presents (1955) as Peter J. Goodfellow
- The Wonderful World of Disney (1954)
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Mr. Fishkettle
- Lux Video Theatre (1950) as Philip Marshall
- Oliver Twist (1948) as Bill Sykes
- Around the World in 80 Days (1956) as Mr. Fix
- Treasure Island (1950) as Long John Silver
- General Electric Theater (1953)
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as John Lindsey, the Baker
- Schlitz Playhouse of Stars (1951) as Simon Mantle
- The Adventures of Long John Silver (1957) as Long John Silver
- Jamaica Inn (1939) as James "Jem" Trehearne
- Androcles and the Lion (1952) as Ferrovius
- 21 Days (1940) as Tolly
- Henry V (1944) as Ancient Pistol
- The High and the Mighty (1954) as Gustave Pardee
- Obsession (1949) as Dr. Clive Riordan
- Les Miserables (1952) as Etienne Javert
- The Desert Rats (1953) as Tom Bartlett
- Poison Pen (1939) as Sam Hurrin
- This Happy Breed (1944) as Frank Gibbons
- Fire Over England (1937) as Don Pedro
- Blackbeard, the Pirate (1952) as Blackbeard