Sep 4, 1939 – Jan 18, 2009
Bob May, born on Sep 04, 1939, passed away on Jan 18, 2009 in Lancaster, CA.
Obituary
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Bob May, who donned The Robot's suit in the hit 1960s television show "Lost in Space," has died. He was 69.
May died Sunday of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Lancaster, said his daughter, Deborah May.
He was a veteran actor and stuntman who had appeared in movies, TV shows and on the vaudeville stage when he was tapped by "Lost in Space" creator Irwin Allen to play the Robinson family's loyal metal sidekick in the series that debuted in 1965.
"He always said he got the job because he fit in the robot suit," said June Lockhart, who played family matriarch Maureen Robinson. "It was one of those wonderful Hollywood stories. He just happened to be on the studio lot when someone saw him and sent him to see Irwin Allen about the part. Allen said, 'If you can fit in the suit, you've got the job.'"
Although May didn't provide the robot's distinctive voice (that was done by announcer Dick Tufeld), he developed a fo llowing of fans who sought him out at memorabilia shows.
"Lost in Space" was a space-age retelling of "The Swiss Family Robinson" story in which professor John Robinson, his wife and their children were on a space mission when their craft was knocked hopelessly off course by the evil Dr. Zachary Smith, who became trapped in space with them.
May's robot was the Robinson family's loyal sidekick, warning them of approaching disaster at every turn. His line to one of the children, "Danger, Will Robinson," became a national catch phrase.
The grandson of famed vaudeville comedian Chic Johnson, May was introduced to show business at age 2 when he began appearing in the "Hellzapoppin" comedy revue with Johnson and his partner, Ole Olsen.
He went on to appear in numerous films with Jerry Lewis and in such TV shows as "The Time Tunnel," "McHale's Navy and "The Red Skelton Show." He was also a stuntman in such 1950s and '60s TV shows as "Cheyenne," "Surfside 6 , " "Hawaiian Eye," "The Roaring 20s" and "Stagecoach."
He was particularly fond of his Robot role, once saying he came to consider the suit a "home away from home."
Lockhart said May wore the suit for hours at a time and learned the lines of every actor in the show so he would know when to respond to their cues. Because it wasn't easy to get in and out of the suit, he kept it on during breaks.
"He was a smoker," Lockhart remembered. "From time to time (when he was on a break), we'd see smoke coming out of the robot. That always amused us."
May and his wife lost their house in November when a wildfire destroyed their upscale mobile home park in the San Fernando Valley.
Survivors include his wife Judith; his daughter; his son, Martin; and four grandchildren.
Funeral services are pending.
Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press
Bob did his job well, as he made creative acting moves, in the robot suit, that made the robot character more realistic. Bob worked hard at his job and after seeing him in person, he was definitely a great actor, who loved his job! You just got to love him the more you saw him perform or at a public event. He was a special man with a good heart!!!
Joe Fournet
August 20, 2024 | Lafayette, LA | Friend
I watched Lost In Space every week! Will always remember Robbie the Robot. You were great!
Nazarene Mckinney
April 26, 2017 | Macclenny, FL
My second entry I could not resist. My favorite episodes wreck of the robot, trip through the robot, junkyard of space just a few of many I truly enjoy to this day. Bob a terrific actor, never met him but I'm sure he was beyond a great guy. Reading these lovely comments especially from his daughter and son and listening to the Herman Stein slow theme as Im reading these beautful comments are touching.which is a beautiful score and of course John Williams music used throughout the series as...
Anthony Messina
October 04, 2015 | Mount Clemens, MI
To a wonderful person and actor. Lost In Space has touched my heart from day one. He made the robot appear to look life-like. Only Bob could've made that possible. I love the show to this day. May God Rest Your Soul and be with your family. That my friend computes. Thanks Bob.
Anthony Messina
October 04, 2015 | Mount Clemens, MI
Thank you for sharing a part of your life with us.
Harry Simpson
January 18, 2015 | Alpharetta, GA
That does not compute. Danger,danger Will Robinson! I loved the robot the best. God bless his family. He brought fun to us baby boomers of the 1960's.
Val
January 18, 2014 | MA
For Bob...
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of...
March 07, 2010
I would like to thank everyone for their kind, loving words about my Daddy. My family finds them such a comfort. To me, he was the most amazing man that made my life so filled with laughter and love. I will miss him everyday of my life. He was a wonderful actor and a hugh talent but, to me he was the best Daddy a girl could ever dream of...rip Daddy, thank you for all the love!
Deborah May
January 31, 2009 | Lancaster, CA
FROM "LOST IN SPACE" TO "LOST IN THE FIRE" THE CONCERT FOR BOB MAY.?
Because I promised Bob this in front of his wife and daughter, I still plan to proceed with the concert.
I promised Bob that I was going to do a music concert to raise money for him and his family and although he is no longer with us, his family has many bills that need to be taken care of right away.
Can you imagine losing your home and everything in it you have had in a fire and then losing your...
Stephen Pisani
January 30, 2009 | CA
