Edward G. Robinson

Stars

Actor Born Emanuel Goldenberg on Dec. 12, 1893 in Bucharest, Romania

Edward G. Robinson was a gentle and diminutive actor who achieved film stardom as a tough-talking, cold-eyed killer.

In a film career that spanned nearly 50 years and 101 pictures, Robinson's first role was in 1923's "The Bright Shawl" and his last was in 1973's "Soylent Green." Other films included "Key Largo," "Dr. Ehrlich's Magic Bullet," "Double Indemnity" and "The Ten Commandments."

But the movie and role he was most identified with was "Little Caesar," the 1931 gangster hit. It took the mind of America off Depression problems and forever stereotyped the 5-foot-6 actor as a kind of Napoleon of the underworld.

Right hand in his jacket pocket, the index finger of his left hand stabbing emphatically into space, he was among the most impersonated of all actors. Entertainers built careers snapping, "OK youse guys, I'm the boss around here, see?"

— Al Martinez in the Los Angeles Times Jan. 27, 1973

More stars in...

• At Grauman's
• Film Noir
• Monsters & Villains
• Oscar Winners