Ann Robinson
Ann Robinson (May 25, 1929–September 26, 2025) was an American actress.
Robinson was born in Hollywood, California to a bank employee father. She began her professional life as a stunt woman. Paramount signed her as an actress in the 1950s, and her first leading role was as "Sylvia Van Buren" in that studio's 1953 film, The War of the Worlds, a role she reprised 35 years later in three episodes of the War of the Worlds television series. She also had a small role in Steven Spielberg's 2005 film remake.
Her career as a leading woman was effectively ended when she eloped to Mexico to marry a matador, Jaime Bravo, with whom she had two sons, Jaime Jr. and Estefan. Following that, she played minor roles, mainly in science fiction films. The couple divorced in 1967 and Bravo died in an automobile accident in 1970. She married real estate broker Joseph Valdez in 1987.
In her later years, Robinson made guest appearances at autograph shows and science fiction conventions. She died on September 26, 2025.
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Movies (30)
Hollywood in the Atomic Age: Monsters! Martians! Mad Scientists!
2021 · Self
Tales of Frankenstein
2018 · Elsa
The Sky Is Falling: Making 'The War of the Worlds'
2005 · Self
War of the Worlds
2005 · Grandmother
The Naked Monster
2005 · Dr. Sylvia Van Buren
Drive-In Movie Memories
2001
The Haunted World of Edward D. Wood, Jr.
1996 · Herself - Bonus Premiere Footage
My Lovely Monster
1991 · Party Guest
Amazing Worlds of Science Fiction and Fantasy
1991 · Self
Midnight Movie Massacre
1988 · Dr. Sylvia Van Buren
Imitation of Life
1959 · Showgirl
Damn Citizen
1958 · Cleo
Gun Duel in Durango
1957 · Judy Ollivant
Julie
1956 · Valerie
Gun Brothers
1956 · Rose Fargo
Fury
1955 · Helen Watkins
A Star Is Born World Premiere
1954 · Self
Dragnet
1954 · Officer Grace Downey
Bad for Each Other
1953 · Lucille Grellett
The War of the Worlds
1953 · Sylvia Van Buren
The Glass Wall
1953 · Nancy
Son of Ali Baba
1952 · Girl at Palace (uncredited)
I Want You
1951 · Gloria (uncredited)
Callaway Went Thataway
1951 · Hatcheck Girl at Mocambo's (uncredited)
Goodbye, My Fancy
1951 · Clarisse Carter (Uncredited)
All About Eve
1950 · Girl in a Lobby of the 21 Club (uncredited)
A Life of Her Own
1950 · Woman Showing Legs (uncredited)
Bud Abbott and Lou Costello in the Foreign Legion
1950 · Bathing Suit Girl in Mirage (uncredited)
The Damned Don't Cry
1950 · Girl at Poolside in Home Movie (uncredited)
King of the Underworld
1939 · Second Nurse (uncredited)
TV shows (19)
War of the Worlds
1988 · Sylvia van Buren
Police Woman
1974 · Mrs. Green
Ben Casey
1961
Surfside 6
1960 · Gloria Hale
Johnny Midnight
1960
Rawhide
1959 · Julia Garcia
77 Sunset Strip
1958
The Texan
1958
Peter Gunn
1958
Perry Mason
1957 · Vivian Page
Sugarfoot
1957 · Marie McTavish
Fury
1955 · Helen Watkins
Alfred Hitchcock Presents
1955 · Helen Cox
Cheyenne
1955 · Joan Carter
The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp
1955 · Hetty Doane
The Millionaire
1955 · Josie Howard
Studio 57
1954
Rocky Jones, Space Ranger
1954
The Ford Television Theatre
1952