On This Day

Birthday of Robert Shaw

August 9th 1927

09:42 9 August 2024

English actor, novelist and playwright Robert Shaw was born on this day in 1927. Shaw began his acting career in theatre with the Royal Shakespeare Company. He made his film debut with a small uncredited role in 'The Lavender Hill Mob' (1951). Bigger and better roles followed in film and TV but it wasn't until the 1960s that he became an internationally recognised star of the screen with significant roles in 'From Russia with Love' (1963), 'The Battle of the Bulge' (1965), 'A Man for All Seasons' (1966), 'The Birthday Party' (1968) and 'Battle of Britain' (1969).

The 70s saw him play major parts in two of the decades biggest films, mobster Doyle Lonnegan in 'The Sting' (1973) and shark hunter Quint in 'Jaws' (1975). Robert Shaw died tragically young from a heart attack in his adopted homeland of Ireland in 1978 aged just 51.