Chris Robinson (November 5, 1938 – June 9, 2025)
A Life Beyond Soap: The Man, the Myth, the Maverick
From the dust-blown sets of Westerns to the whispered corridors of daytime drama, Chris Robinson embodied Hollywood’s ever-evolving heart. Born in West Palm Beach, Florida on November 5, 1938, his journey took him from stunt work to gracing screens alongside Burt Lancaster, to becoming one of daytime TV’s most enduring presences
Early Spark and Wartime Valor
His first credited roles in The Young Savages and Birdman of Alcatraz during the early ’60s quickly showcased a young actor capable of understated power. A defining turn came in 12 O’Clock High (1967–1969), where his portrayal of Sgt. Sandy Komansky balanced steely resolve with human fragility—a template for his later work
Father Figure to a Nation
In 1978 Robinson stepped onto the canvas of General Hospital as Dr. Rick Webber—a character whose relationships became interwoven with America’s living rooms. He wasn’t just playing a doctor; he became a doctor to millionsDecades later, that connection was resurrected in a poignant return for GH’s 50th-anniversary special—a testament to the emotional imprint his character left behind .
The Catchphrase That Became Culture
Robinson transcended soap opera limits with a single line:
“I’m not a doctor, but I do play one on TV.”
The Vicks Formula 44 commercial of the mid-’80s immortalized him in pop culture lore—and injected a perfect touch of playful irony into his on-screen gravitas.
Trials, Triumphs & Tabloid Turns
Life mirrored drama when Robinson faced a 1985 tax evasion conviction and a financial plunge into collecting Beanie Babies—an investment that spiraled into its own mini-drama, recounted by his son in documentaries like Bankrupt by Beanies and Bastard: An Illegitimate Film . But even amid such turbulence, he returned to General Hospital via work-release—with nightly flights from prison to set—a living saga of resilience.
Bold New Chapters: Jack Hamilton and Family Legacy
1992 ushered in a new persona: Jack Hamilton on The Bold and the Beautiful. As patriarch to Taylor Hayes and a flawed, addictive soul, he became a fan-favorite—bringing complexity and humanity to an archetype .
His character arcs—spanning family reckonings, gambling demons, and fractured romance—echoed his off-screen life: layered, human, and persistently redemptive .
A Life in Chapters
Beyond daytime, Robinson produced and directed offbeat ’70s indie films like Catch the Black, Sunshine, and Thunder County—a maneuver that spoke to his creative restlessness. On screen, his final appearance was in 2022’s indie film Just for a Week, a quietly powerful final bow.
Quietude in the Red Rocks
For a decade, he called his ranch in Cornville, near Sedona, home—cultivating award-winning orchards, crafting vacation cottages, and trading the glare of spotlights for oak-lined trails and family laughter.
Final Curtain
On June 9, 2025, Robinson passed peacefully in his sleep from heart failure at age 86, at his beloved ranch —surrounded by nature’s serenity and the legacy he meticulously assembled.
He is survived by his fourth wife, artist-actress Jacquie Shane (his partner since Easter Sunday 2011), six sons (from six relationships), and a new generation of grandchildren who carry forward a legacy of storytelling, resilience, and love
