LAMAMIMET

Ann Robinson was born on May 25, 1929, in Hollywood, California. Trained by her father to ride horses from age three, she began her Hollywood career as a stunt rider, doubling for Shelley Winters in the film Frenchie. Her riding skills led to acting parts in Westerns before Paramount Pictures signed her in the early 1950s.

Robinson’s most iconic performance came as Sylvia Van Buren in the 1953 adaptation of The War of the Worlds, a role that defined her legacy and earned her lasting recognition among science‑fiction fans. She also starred opposite Jack Webb in the 1954 feature Dragnet and appeared in a range of television series, including Fury, Adam‑12, and Gilligan’s Island, showcasing her versatility across genres.

In later years she reprised her War of the Worlds character in television adaptations and made a cameo as Tom Cruise’s mother‑in‑law in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 remake of the same story. After that appearance she retired from acting, having contributed over five decades to film and television.

Robinson married matador Jaime Bravo in 1957, with whom she had two sons, and later married real‑estate broker Joseph Valdez. She passed away at the age of 96 on May 17, 2026, leaving behind a celebrated body of work that continues to inspire classic‑film enthusiasts.