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Michael Robbins

Michael Robbins

Actor · Died December 11, 1992, aged 62 · London, England, UK

Born in London, Robbins was a bank clerk who became an actor after appearing in amateur dramatic performances in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, where he and his family lived at the time. Robbins made his television debut as the cockney soldier in Roll-on Bloomin' Death. Primarily a comedy actor, he is best remembered for the role of Arthur Rudge, the persistently sarcastic husband of Olive (Anna Karen), in the popular sitcom On the Buses (1969–73). Robbins and Karen provided the secondary comic storyline to Reg Varney's comedy capers at the bus depot. Robbins also appeared in the series film spin-offs, On the Buses, Mutiny on the Buses, and Holiday on the Buses. His other comedy credits include non-recurring roles in Man About the House, Oh Brother!, The Good Life, One Foot in the Grave, The New Statesman, George and Mildred, Hi-de-Hi! and You Rang, M'Lord? He appeared as a rather humorously portrayed police sergeant in the TV adaptation of Brendon Chase. As well as these comic roles, he assumed various straight roles in some of the major British television shows of the 1960s and 1970s: including Minder, The Sweeney, Z-Cars, Return of the Saint, Murder Most English, The Avengers, Dixon of Dock Green, The Bill and the 1982 Doctor Who story The Visitation. Robbins's film credits included The Whisperers, Up The Junction, The Looking Glass War, Zeppelin and Blake Edwards' films The Pink Panther Strikes Again and Victor/Victoria'. He also had an extensive career as a radio actor, including a role in the soap opera Waggoner's Walk and the satirical 1970s show Life is What Yer Make It. Robbins was an indefatigable worker for charity. He was active in the Grand Order of Water Rats (being elected 'Rat of the Year' in 1978) and the Catholic Stage Guild, and received a Papal Award for his services in 1987. In one of his last television appearances, in A Little Bit of Heaven Robbins recalled his childhood visits to Norfolk and spoke of his faith and love of the Shrine of Our Lady at Walsingham. Michael Robbins had a brother Jack who was a head teacher at Saint Gregory's Catholic middle school in Bedford in the 1970s and early 1980s. Michael made some guest appearances at this school throughout the years and sometimes entertained the pupils with various sketches with his brother Jack Robbins In the mid-1970s he also directed a film: How Are You?

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
November 14, 1930
Died
December 11, 1992 (aged 62)
From
London, England, UK
Works as
Actor
Titles
23 on MovieCove · 101 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 39 days to Oct 28Down 18% in 30 days

What are Michael Robbins' films like?

Across their 5 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
51%
Society
14%
Power
13%
Self
9%
Morality
6%
Survival
6%
Family bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 5 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Wry: How sincerely it treats its story and characters, from ironic to earnest. Browse their wry movies.
Tone · Sincerity
ironicearnest

A split, not a type: Ironic 1 · Wry 1 · Earnest 2

Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 5 · Serious 0 · Dark 0

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 2 · Stylized 1 · Heightened 2

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 1 · Charged 4 · Intense 0

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 4 · Shifting 0 · Whiplash 1

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 0 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 4

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 5 · Engaged 0 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 5 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

1 analyzed role

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
5
Absurd
3
Thrilling
1
Romantic
1
Warm
1
Other
1

How their films linger

Feel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end

  • Happy4
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Michael Robbins' films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 23 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on BritBox (6).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Michael Robbins' titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

101 credits, 23 with a MovieCove page.

  • The Ties That Bind Us(2008)

    as Richard Mace (archive footage)

    Midcredits score: 70th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Adam Bede (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Thias Bede

  • One Foot in the Grave: The Man In The Long Black Coat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Mr Killick

  • You Rang, M'Lord? (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · as Twelvetrees Senior

  • One Foot in the Grave (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Just Ask for Diamond(1988)

    as The Fat Man

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • The New Statesman(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Mad Eddie

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all shows

  • Lost In London (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Bill

  • In Sickness and in Health (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Rail Worker

  • Dempsey and Makepeace (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Simmons

  • Fairly Secret Army (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 13 episodes · as Sgt. Major Throttle

  • The Bill (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Fresh Fields (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Pringle

  • The Merry Wives of Windsor(1982)

    as Nym

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all films

  • Victor/Victoria(1982)

    as Manager of Victoria's Hotel

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • The Bounder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 2 episodes · as Bert

  • Doctor Who: The Visitation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Richard Mace

  • Legacy of Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Marley

  • Brendon Chase (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 13 episodes · as Sergeant Bunting

  • The Great Muppet Caper(1981)

    as Henderson

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Chinese Detective (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Murder Rap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Det. Sgt. Praed

  • Minder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as McQueen

  • The Cannon & Ball Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Police Seargent

  • The Saint and the Brave Goose (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Beeky

  • Dick Turpin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Show 1 episode · as Sgt. Bullock

  • Return of the Saint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Beeky

  • Leave it to Charlie (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Sowerbutts

  • Mixed Blessings (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Fred Fachetti

  • Murder Most English: A Flaxborough Chronicle (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Show 2 episodes · as Pumphrey

  • The Pink Panther Strikes Again(1976)

    as Jarvis

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • George and Mildred (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Operation Patch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Show 7 episodes · as George Cosserat

  • Rumpole of the Bailey(1978)

    Show 1 episode · as Cyril Timson

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • The Good Life (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Mr. Bulstrode

  • The Sweeney(1975)

    Show 1 episode · as Kevin Lee

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Man About the House(1974)

    as Doorman

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Moody and Pegg (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 1 episode · as Len

  • Thick as Thieves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Show 8 episodes · Actor

  • Soap Opera in Stockwell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Bert

  • Black and Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Bert

  • No Sex Please - We're British(1973)

    as Car Driver

    Midcredits score: 32nd percentile of all films

  • Centre Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Show 1 episode · as Swaffer

  • Holiday on the Buses(1973)

    as Arthur Rudge

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • That's Your Funeral(1972)

    as 2nd Funeral Director

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Mutiny on the Buses(1972)

    as Arthur Rudge

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Blinker's Spy-Spotter (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Policeman

  • Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie

  • On the Buses(1971)

    as Arthur Rudge

    Midcredits score: 51st percentile of all films

  • Villain(1971)

    as Barzun

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Zeppelin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Cockney Sergeant

  • All the Way Up(1970)

    as Taxi Driver

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • The Hunting of Lionel Crane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Sergeant Billings

  • The Looking Glass War(1970)

    as Truck Driver

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • Crossplot(1969)

    as Garage Attendant

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Department S (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Burton

  • The Main Chance (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Gerry Baxter

  • Judge Dee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show Actor

  • On the Buses (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 61 episodes · as Arthur Rudge

  • ITV Saturday Night Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Show 1 episode · as Michael Vint

  • Till Death Us Do Part (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Fred

  • Horizontal Hold (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as TV Repairman

  • The Drummer and the Bloke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Jack

  • Up the Junction (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Figgins

  • The Whisperers(1967)

    as Mr Noonan

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Never Mind the Quality, Feel the Width (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Callan(1967)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all shows

  • You Can't Win (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Dead Man's Chest (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    as Sergeant Harris

  • Thirty-Minute Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Harris

  • The Wednesday Thriller (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Clerk of the Court

  • The Man in Room 17 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as C.P.O. Bradshaw

  • Londoners (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Shaw

  • Gideon's Way (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Show 1 episode · as Smith

  • Rattle of a Simple Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as George (organiser)

  • Redcap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Private Pendlebury

  • The Count of Monte Cristo (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 2 episodes · as Caderousse

  • The Bone Yard (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Sergeant Strickland

  • The Wednesday Play (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Albert Barking · as Henry Whittaker · as Jack · as Sergeant Billings · as Sergeant Strickland

  • Act of Murder (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Van Driver

  • The Four Seasons of Rosie Carr (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 2 episodes · as Dave

  • Sherlock Holmes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Theatre 625 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Tom

  • Story Parade (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    Show 1 episode · as Edward Cowley

  • The Bargee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Bargee

  • Children of the Damned(1964)

    as (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Doctor Who(1963)

    Show 4 episodes · as Richard Mace

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • What a Crazy World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    as Percy

  • Crane (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1963)

    Show 1 episode · as Jennings

  • A Prize of Arms (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Orford

  • The Saint (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 2 episodes · as Harry · as Smith

  • You in Your Small Corner (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Georgie

  • Studio 4 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · as Humphrey Place

  • Z-Cars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Lunch Hour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1962)

    as Harris

  • Danger! Men Working (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    as Second Labourer

  • The Avengers (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1961)

    Show 3 episodes · as Cavell · as Henry Farrow

  • No Hiding Place (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Edgar Wallace Mysteries (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1959)

    Show 1 episode · as Sergeant Harris

  • Armchair Theatre (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1956)

    Show 1 episode · as Dave

  • Dixon of Dock Green (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1955)

    Show 1 episode · as Charlie Mills

Career shape

Star power in the 92nd percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 101 titles from 1955 to 2008; peak year 1972.

Biggest box office

Victor/Victoria (1982)

$28M worldwide

Highest rated

Victor/Victoria (1982)

Midcredits 94th

Film career

19552008

Peak 1972 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting101 of 101: 101 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score64th

By decade

1950s4 · acting1960s43 · acting1970s32 · acting1980s17 · acting1990s4 · acting2000s1 · acting

Billing

usually 13th · top billed in 0% of 11 roles
6772

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Michael Robbins' films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 51st percentile, the median of all 18; across their 5 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 56th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

56thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Approval · how many liked their films

48thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Reach · how many have seen their films

55thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 5

Midcredits score across 23 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up9
  • 50th to 74th6
  • 25th to 49th6
  • Below 25th2

Shape of the crowd

9 of their 23 titles are Mixed.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Cult Classic2
  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed9

Most divisive · actor

The Ties That Bind Us (2008)

89th percentile spread · 20% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Victor/Victoria (1982)

Midcredits 94th · 81% liked

Reviewers score the acting 64/100 in their films, across 5 reviewed titles; fans 73, detractors 38. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Michael Robbins work with?

People who share at least 2 of Michael Robbins' MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Ronald Chesney shares the most, 3.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Cinematographers and editors