American actor, director and screenwriter, an offbeat character lead. Onscreen from 1984, he has played a wide variety of roles, displaying talent and versatility. His portrayal of the dimwitted fastball pitcher, “Nuke Laloosh,” was memorable in “Bull Durham,” 1988, and in Robert Altman’s “The Player,” 1992. With his multi-faceted talent, Robbins easily moves from naïve and obtuse to slick and shrewd in his characterizations.
Although born in California, Robbins grew up in Greenwich Village, New York. He was the fourth child born to Gil Robbins, a member of the folk music group, “The Highwaymen,” and Mary Robbins, a publishing executive. His parents were devout Roman Catholics, and religion along with politics and theater, provided a strong formative influence in his early life. He attended church regularly and served as an altar boy. By the time he was 12, he was a member of an acting troupe at the Theatre for the New City, and during high school, he got further performing experience as a member of the drama club. He made his performing debut with his father during their duet of the protest song, “Ink is Black But the Page is White.”
After graduating from Stuyvesant High School, he entered the State University of New York. Two years later, however, he moved to California where he enrolled at UCLA to study drama. Paying his way by working various jobs, the athletic, competitive Robbins spent his spare time playing softball before graduating with honors in 1981. Later that same year, he formed the Actors’ Gang, an ensemble that used avant-garde theater as a means of expressing radical political viewpoints.
He began his professional career with guest-starring roles on television series like “Hill Street Blues,” but in 1984, he made his film debut in “Toy Soldiers.” In 1985, the tall, baby-faced Robbins starred in “Fraternity Vacation,” but his critical breakout role came when he portrayed a civil rights worker in “Five Corners,” 1988. Keenly intelligent, the subtle, perceptive actor exhibits qualities that, in the view of fellow director Robert Altman, could make him the next Orson Welles. Robbins earned an Oscar nomination for “Best Director” for his most acclaimed project, “Dead Man Walking,” 1995.
In 1988 he met actress Susan Sarandon, his co-star in “Bull Durham,” and they have been together since. They share political beliefs and are known for their social activism. Together they have two children, Jack Henry in 1989 and Miles Guthrie, 1992, along with Susan’s daughter, Eva Maria.
On January 25, 2004 the Foreign Press awarded Tim Robbins a Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for his performance in “Mystic River.” On February 29, 2004, he took home an Oscar for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the same performance. Just before Christmas 2009 it was announced that he and Susan Sarandon had ended their 23-year relationship over the summer.
Link to Wikipedia biography