Tributes Paid to ‘Night Court’ Star Charlie Robinson As He Dies Aged 75
Night Court #NightCourt
Charlie Robinson, beloved to fans for his role as Mac in the classic sitcom Night Court, has died at the age of 75.
The screen star passed away on Sunday in Los Angeles from cardiac arrest with multisystem organ failures due to septic shock and metastatic cancer, a representative for Robinson told The Hollywood Reporter.
A native of Houston, Robinson enjoyed an illustrious career on the silver screen, TV and stage, with some of his film roles including Antwone Fisher, Set It Off, and Jackson, while he appeared in TV shows such as Mom, Home Improvement, Hart of Dixie, and The Guestbook.
Wendell Pierce, who recently co-starred with the late actor in the stage production Some Old Black Man, shared a lengthy tribute to the actor as he looked back over the friendship they formed during their brief time together.
“It only took 27 days and we created a lifetime,” Pierce wrote on Twitter on Monday. “Charlie Robinson and I quarantined together during this pandemic to create a play and in that short time we created a lifetime of friendship. A special bond, like the father and son, we portrayed in the play. We had a mission.”
“We had a mission to find a way to create our art while the world was shut down,” he went on. “By chance, we created a friendship in 27 days that only happens with a shared vision. In that short time he became mentor to me as I questioned if my best days had passed. By example he showed hope.
Video: ‘Night Court’ star Charlie Robinson dies at 75 (Yahoo Entertainment US)
“Charlie Robinson’s early morning routine consisted of a marathon physical workout, then a marathon of text work, all before a 9 am rehearsal, where he schooled me with his skill, stories of home, love of his mother & father, wife and kids. He was a man valued the love in his life.
“In 27 days he shared the value of the love in his life, and his love of life with an appreciation for the most intimate things: the harmony of his singing group The Dells, his mother’s kindness losted at a young age, his travel as an artist, and a fine glass of wine at evening.
“Only 27 days in quarantine with Charlie Robinson and I got to appreciate the man, not just the wonderful actor of great charm and skill, on stage , TV, and film. In the life of an actor the only things you take with you are the work that you do and the people you do it with.”
Pierce added: “I will cherish the work that we created and forever remember the brief time I spent with him.”
Also reacting to the news, actress Viola Davis tweeted: “RIP Charlie Robinson. You were a wonderful actor [broken heart emoji].”
Jackée Harry, who starred with Robinson in the 1988 film Crash Course, wrote: “Rest in power to the lovely Charlie Robinson. Always a gentleman…”
Marsha Warfield, one of Robinson’s co-stars on Night Court—which ran from 1984 until 1992—said on Twitter: “Charlie Robinson was one of the great ones. My heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, fans and all whose lives he touched.
Rest well, Charlie, I thought you’d live forever.”
Robinson is survived by his wife, Dolorita, children Luca, Charlie, Christian, and Byron, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, per The Hollywood Reporter.
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