Many people have wondered if the two famous Robbins in the entertainment industry, Todd and Tim, are related by blood or not. They share the same last name, but do they share the same family tree? In this article, we will explore the backgrounds of both Todd Robbins and Tim Robbins, and reveal the truth behind the rumor.
Who is Todd Robbins?
Todd Robbins is an American magician, lecturer, actor, and author. He was born in Long Beach, California, on August 15, 1958. He is known for his expertise in arcane forms of popular entertainment, such as sideshow acts, carnival games, and deceptive practices. He has performed in various venues, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, television, and film. He has also written books and articles on magic and related topics.
Todd Robbins started his interest in magic at the age of 10, when he enrolled in magic lessons at the B&H School of Magic. He later joined the Famous Magic Castle school of magic and the Long Beach Mystics, a troupe that hosted professional magicians and variety acts. He attended the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco, where he earned his degree in Theatre Arts. He moved to New York City in 1980 to pursue a career in theatre.
In New York, Todd Robbins founded the Actors’ Gang, an experimental theater group that expressed radical political observations through the European avant-garde form of theater. He also worked at Coney Island in an amusement park sideshow, where he learned and performed classic acts such as sword swallowing, fire eating, nail hammering, and glass eating. He inherited some of his props and costumes from Melvin Burkhart, one of the pioneers of sideshow arts.
Todd Robbins has appeared on more than 100 television shows, including multiple appearances on David Letterman, Jay Leno, and Conan O’Brien. He has also starred in several films and documentaries, such as American Carny: True Tales from the Circus Sideshow (2005), Play Dead (2012), and The Grand Guignol (2016). He has written books such as The Modern Con Man: How to Get Something for Nothing (2008) and The Carnival Knowledge: A Guide to Sideshow Collectibles (2010).
Who is Tim Robbins?
Tim Robbins is an American actor and filmmaker. He was born in West Covina, California, on October 16, 1958. He is known for his roles in films such as The Shawshank Redemption (1994), Mystic River (2003), The Player (1992), Bull Durham (1988), and Dead Man Walking (1995). He has won an Academy Award, two Golden Globes, a BAFTA Award, and a Cannes Film Festival Award for his work.
Tim Robbins was born to Gilbert Lee Robbins, a singer and manager of The Gaslight Cafe, and Mary Cecelia Bledsoe, a musician. He was raised in New York City with his two sisters and one brother. He started performing in theater at age 12 and joined the drama club at Stuyvesant High School. He graduated with honors from UCLA Film School with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Drama in 1981.
Tim Robbins also founded the Actors’ Gang with some of his college friends in Los Angeles. He started his film career with small roles in films such as No Small Affair (1984) and Fraternity Vacation (1985). His breakthrough role was as pitcher Nuke LaLoosh in Bull Durham (1988), where he co-starred with Susan Sarandon, whom he later had a long-term relationship with until 2009.
Tim Robbins has also directed several films, such as Bob Roberts (1992), Dead Man Walking (1995), Cradle Will Rock (1999), and Embedded (2004). He has also produced some of his own films and documentaries, such as The Big Fix (2012) and 45 Seconds of Laughter (2019). He has also appeared on television shows such as The Brink (2015), Here and Now (2018), Castle Rock (2019), and Silo (2023).
Are Todd Robbins and Tim Robbins Related?
The answer is no. Todd Robbins and Tim Robbins are not related by blood or by marriage. They just happen to share the same last name and the same year of birth. They have different parents, different siblings, different places of birth, different ethnicities, different careers, and different personal lives.
However, they do have some things in common besides their last name. They both founded the Actors’ Gang theater group in different cities. They both have an interest in magic and deception. They both have performed on Broadway and Off-Broadway. They both have appeared on late-night talk shows. And they both have been involved in political activism.
According to Wikipedia, Todd Robbins is a supporter of progressive causes such as environmentalism, animal rights, and social justice. He has also participated in protests and rallies against war, racism, and corporate greed. He is a member of the Magic Castle’s Board of Trustees and the Academy of Magical Arts.
According to Britannica, Tim Robbins is a vocal critic of the U.S. government’s foreign and domestic policies. He has also spoken out against censorship, capital punishment, and the Iraq War. He is a member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences.
Conclusion
Todd Robbins and Tim Robbins are two talented and successful entertainers who have made their mark in different fields. They are not related by blood or by marriage, but they do share some similarities and connections. They are both Robbins by name, but not by nature.