Rudy Robles (born Pastor Lluviosa Robles, 29 April 1910 – 11 August 1970) was a Filipino film and television actor. He was one of the first Filipino actors to appear in Hollywood movies.

Rudy Robles
Born(1910-04-29)29 April 1910
Died11 August 1970(1970-08-11) (aged 60)
Other namesRuby Robles
OccupationActor
Years active1939–1956

Career

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Robles was born in Tacloban, in the Eastern Visayas region of the Philippines, where he began his schooling before emigrating to the United States. He completed high school and college in California, where he excelled in debating and acting. Producer Samuel Goldwyn reportedly discovered and gave him the screen name Rudy Robles whilst he was working as a bellhop at The Beverly Hills Hotel in Hollywood.[1]

His credits include pre- and post-World War II films, such as Lt. Yabo in The Real Glory (1939) starring Gary Cooper and David Niven. His uncredited roles include appearances in The Adventures of Martin Eden (1942), Wake Island (1942), Manila Calling (1942), and he played a Filipino assassin in the 1942 film Across the Pacific.

During World War II, Robles entered the U.S. Army and served in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines with the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment, rising to the rank of first sergeant.[2] After the war Robles was commissioned a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Civil Affairs, where he contracted Filipino entertainers for the U.S. military. He returned to the U.S. and civilian life in February 1946.[3]

In addition to appearing in several Hollywood films such as Nocturne (1946), Singapore (1947) (which starred Ava Gardner and Fred MacMurray) and Omoo-Omoo, the Shark God (1949), Robles returned to the Philippines where he raised a family and started to produce, direct and star in his own films. One of his last on-screen appearances was in an episode of Alfred Hitchcock Presents in 1956.

Death

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On 11 August 1970, Robles died in Manila at the age of 60.

Filmography

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Film
Year Title Role Notes
1939 The Real Glory Lt. Yabo Credited as Ruby Robles
1940 South of Pago Pago Luna
1941 The Blonde from Singapore Servant Uncredited
1941 Honolulu Lu Elevator Boy Uncredited
1942 Blue, White and Perfect Kali - Chauffeur Uncredited
1942 Song of the Islands Akomi - Native Boy Uncredited
1942 The Adventures of Martin Eden San Uncredited
Alternative title: High Seas
1942 Submarine Raider Steward Seffi
1942 Wake Island Triunfo Uncredited
1942 Across the Pacific A Filipino Assassin
1942 Manila Calling Moro Soldier Uncredited
1946 Nocturne Eujemio Uncredited
1947 The Son of Rusty Gono, Gibson's Valet
1947 Singapore Desk Clerk Uncredited
1948 Jungle Goddess Nugara
1949 Rusty Saves a Life Gono Sandoval
1949 Flaxy Martin Butler Uncredited
1949 Omoo-Omoo, the Shark God Tembo
1950 Princesa sa Tawi-Tawi Director
1952 Okinawa Felix
1955 Double Jeopardy Frank Uncredited
1960 Party Line (final film role)
Television
Year Title Role Notes
1956 Alfred Hitchcock Presents Horace the Butler Season 1 Episode 26: "Whodunit"
1956 Passport to Danger Steward 2 episodes
1955-1956 Soldiers of Fortune Various roles 2 episodes

References

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  1. ^ "Rudy Robles: Hollywood actor". philstar.com. Retrieved 5 January 2013.
  2. ^ p. 167 Mañalac, Fernando J. Manila: Memories of World War II Giraffe Books, 1995
  3. ^ Deocampo, Nick Film: American Influences on Philippine Cinema Anvil Publishing, Incorporated, 9 Nov 2017
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