Sam Prideaux Robards (born December 16, 1961) is an American actor. He is best known for his film roles in American Beauty (1999) and A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001). For his performance in the Broadway production of The Man Who Had All the Luck, he received a nomination for the Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play.
Early life Robards was born in New York City, the son of actor Jason Robards (1922–2000) and actress Lauren Bacall (1924–2014). He is the only child of their marriage, though he has seven half-siblings: five through his father (three elder, two younger); and two – Stephen Humphrey Bogart and Leslie Bogart – through his mother's previous marriage to Humphrey Bogart.Bacall, Lauren. (2006). By Myself and Then Some. p. 377. HarperCollins, New York City. . He lived for a time in London, where he attended the American School in London, then returned to New York City, where he attended Collegiate School.The Dutchman (the Collegiate School yearbook), 1975 edition, p. 35 (8th grade photos)
Robards then attended Sarah Lawrence College. In the fall of 1980, he attended the National Theater Institute at the Eugene O'Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Connecticut.
Career Robards began his acting career in 1980 in an off-Broadway production of Album, and made his feature-film debut in director Paul Mazursky's 1982 film Tempest. In 1985, Robards starred alongside Kevin Costner and future wife Suzy Amis in Fandango. Robards acted opposite his father in the 1988 film Bright Lights, Big City, which was their only collaboration before his death in 2000. Also in 1988, he was cast in the lead role of Kevin Keegan in the CBS drama TV 101.
In 1990, he played the role of Chris Elliott's friend, Larry, on the Fox sitcom Get a Life. In 1994, Robards starred in two films: Robert Altman's film Prêt-à-Porter, where he was a part of an ensemble that included his mother; and Alan Rudolph's biographical film of Dorothy Parker, Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle, where he portrayed the first editor of The New Yorker, Harold Ross.
In 2002, Robards received acclaim for his performance as Gustav Eberson in the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's The Man Who Had All the Luck, winning the Clarence Derwent Award and earning nominations for the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award. In July 2008, he took over the role of Richard Hannay in the Broadway run of The 39 Steps.
In 2025, Robards was cast in the role of David/Raf's Dad in the Broadway run of Punch.
His film credits also include Casualties of War, Beautiful Girls, American Beauty, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Life as a House, The Other Side of the Tracks, and The Art of Getting By.
Robards's television credits include a recurring roles on and appearances on Spin City, The West Wing, Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Sex and the City, The Good Wife and Hotel Cocaine. He had recurring roles on the series Gossip Girl and Treme.
Personal life In 1986, he married actress Suzy Amis, his co-star in Fandango. They have a son, Jasper, born before their divorce in 1994. In 1997, Robards married Danish model Sidsel Jensen. They have two sons, Calvin and Sebastian.
Filmography
Film Year Title Role Notes 1982 Tempest Teddy 1985 Fandango Kenneth Waggener Not Quite Paradise Mike 1988 Bright Lights, Big City Rich Vanier Bird Moscowitz 1989 Casualties of War Chaplain Kirk 1993 The Ballad of Little Jo Jasper Hill 1994 Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle Harold Ross Prêt-à-Porter Regina's Assistant 1996 Beautiful Girls Steve Rossmore 1997 Dinner and Driving Frank 1998 Love from Ground Zero Henry (voice) 1999 American Beauty Jim Berkley 2000 Bounce Todd Exner 2001 A.I. Artificial Intelligence Henry Swinton Life as a House David Dokos 2004 Catch That Kid Tom Surviving Eden Gary Gold Marmalade Roger 2007 Awake Clayton Beresford Sr. 2008 The Other Side of the Tracks David Che: Part One Tad Szulc Perestroika Sasha 2009 The Rebound Frank Company Retreat Ron Gable 2011 The Art of Getting By Jack Sargent 2014 Grand Street Gary 2016 The Late Bloomer Dr. Lawson Broken Links Jack 2017 Where Is Kyra? Carl 2022 Isle of Hope William
Television Year Title Role Notes1983Prisoner Without a Name, Cell Without a NumberDaniel TimermanTelevision film1985Spenser: For HireChip HolmbyEpisode: "The Choice"Into Thin AirStephen WalkerTelevision film1988Pancho BarnesGene McKendry1988–1989TV 101Kevin Keegan17 episodes1990–1991Get a LifeLarry Potter24 episodes1993, 2009Law & OrderDavis Webb / Daniel Hendricks2 episodes1995The Outer LimitsBen KohlerEpisode: "Living Hell"Donor UnknownDr. David BauschTelevision film1996The Man Who Captured EichmannDavid1997The Trial of Adolf EichmannAvraham Aviel1998Maximum BobSheriff Gary Hammond7 episodes1998–1999Spin CityArthur4 episodes1999Black and BlueMike RiordanTelevision film2000Sex and the CityTom ReymiEpisode: "Running with Scissors"HamletFortinbrasTelevision film2001The WardenAxelOn Golden PondBill Ray2002ObsessedDavid Stillman2003My Life with MenJess Zebrowski2004The Blackwater LightshipPaulClubhouseBennetEpisode: "Chin Music"Law & Order: Criminal IntentPaul WhitlockEpisode: "Magnificat"2004–2005The West WingGreg Brock8 episodes2006CSI: MiamiMitchell CollettEpisode: "Dead Air"2007–2012Gossip GirlHowie 'The Captain' Archibald16 episodes2010Vamped OutAudition Actor #1Episode: "A New Day"2011Body of ProofBradford PaigeEpisode: "Pilot"Blue BloodsRoger CarsonEpisode: "My Funny Valentine"The Good WifeJarvis BowesEpisode: "Killer Song"2012–2013TremeTim Feeny11 episodes2013–2014TwistedKyle Masterson19 episodes2015LimitlessMiles AmosEpisode: "Badge! Gun!"2019Madam SecretaryMajor Brad JenkinsEpisode: "Valor"2021Y: The Last ManDean Brown2 episodes
Awards and nominations Year Association Category Nominated work Result 1983 Young Artist Awards Best Young Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture Tempest 2002 Drama Desk Awards Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play The Man Who Had All the Luck Clarence Derwent Awards Most Promising Male Tony Awards Best Featured Actor in a Play
References
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