Cool News
LOST IN SPACE's Bob May Is Gone...
Merrick here...
Actor/stuntman Bob May passed away Sunday; he suffered congestive heart failure.
May is best known for a role in which he was never seen: he operated the costume/suit/prop for LOST IN SPACE's "Robot B-9". The character was actually voiced by Dick Tufled.
Beyond LiS, Bob appeared in a variety of television commercials (Mr. Clean, Pepsi, Chevron) , numerous television series (including THE RIFLEMAN, THE TIME TUNNEL and VOYAGE TO THE BOTTOM OF THE SEA - the latter two were both created by LOST IN SPACE's Irwin Allen) . His film credits include JAILHOUSE ROCK, ENSIGN PULLVER, and THE LAST BOY SCOUT.
You can learn more about Bob (and find many images from throughout his career) via his official website (HERE). Strangely, as of this publication, the website has not been updated to reflect is passing.
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*rollseyes in discust at one's self*
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Looks like a slow news day from an entertainment perspective (with everyone focusing on the inauguration). But sad news...Lost in Space was a ton of fun....be well Bob....thanks for helping the family get home!
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dude died only yesterday, and now THIS?
so sad. I miss him already v2.0 -
RIP old timer
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no one cares except his friends and family.
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why is strange that his website hasn't been updated? I am sure his "people" have more important things to do then update a website...AICN has been pretty slow on the news itself as of late.....
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....a man so nice, they had to kill him twice.
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Jan 20, 2009 1:20:46 PM CST
I hadn't heard. My best wishes to Bob's fans and family.
by the reluctant austinite
I met Bob May once at Wonderfest here in Louisville. Not unlike Harry, he was a big kid. "Lost in Space" fans loved him just like he was one of the "face" actors. Shame on Rupee88 for saying no one cares except his friends and family. He doesn't know what he's talking about. Can we pause the hate for one day, Danny? Maybe some of you are so young that you only know sci-fi and monsters created on a computer and attach no feelings towards them. I feel sorry for you if you've never dreamed of wearing a robot suit or a godzilla costume in a movie. Bob was a classic sci-fi hero to many, and I'm not going to respond to any hate or apathy this post will likely generate. Grow a heart guys, or don't say anything at all.
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RIP nonetheless.
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I didn't hate on this guy for one second. I'm making fun of AICN for being late on the news. The "Kill him twice" joke was mainly in response to Arcadian's joke. We are both joking around about the absurdity of announcing someone's death after the rest of the internet has already announced it. Has nothing to do with the guy. I wish him well.
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Jan 20, 2009 1:28:07 PM CST
The AP dropped this story Sunday afternoon....
by dannyglovers_dickblood
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Who to, AICN or Bob May? hehe
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Nice man. I can always say I rode an elevator with "The Robot". Yeah, that means something to me. Sorry news.
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Sad news. RIP Robot.
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IN YOUR FACE!!!!!!!
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Lost In Space was one of the few things we used to watch together as a family when I was a kid. Rest in Peace Bob, you made Sunday afternoons magical.
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"Lost in Space" was my first love of Science Fiction.
May your journey to Heaven on Jupiter 2 be safe! -
he, like many others (ie Christopher Lloyd) also lost his home and everything in it in that big California wildfire a few months back.
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RIP on Bro, RIP on.
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RIP Bob May! What boy in the 1960's didn't want you as a big brother?
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They hired Bob May to do the Robot's voice instead of Dick Tufled. Was that an error or were they unable to get Tufled and picked May so that SOMEONE related to the Robot would be in the thing with Jonathan Harris?
Either way, RIP Mr. May.
Oddly enough, he'll spend eternity in a box no larger than the one he spent his career in.
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That's what I get for cut-and-pasting before checking the name.
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he used to smoke a cigar when they wanted the robot to look like it was broken.
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He had an AWESOME display area, big long table with tons of pics and of course that sweet robo you see in the picture, which wasn't the actual robot from the series but a dead-on reproduction that some company would actually make to order. A VERY nice man, my condolences go out to his family. His booth was right next to a VERY BUSY pin-up babe and Jim Steranko. Cons make for strange bedfellows.
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Sad to see him go! Bumped into him a bunch of times at comic cons; he was an increibly gracious man. Loaned him some tablecovers once when he forgot his, and he responded by taking me & my employees to lunch. A great guy with a steamer-trunk full of stories...
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Jan 20, 2009 9:04:25 PM CST
I'm pretty sure he played HITLER on The Time Tunnel once!
by bob cryptonight
So, you know, the man had some acting chops.
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Wednesday night is when I was glued to the TV waiting for LIS. Even when it was silly it was better than a lot of things that pass for entertainment these days. The robot was one of my favorite characters. How could you miss his waving his arms about, turning back and forth while Dick Tufeld's voice yelled " Danger Will Robinson! Danger! " Bob May's mannerisms with the robot are as much a part of those memories as anything else Lost In Space. RIP
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Memories of my childhood are now a little more bittersweet. Riding a Big Wheel around, climbing trees, catching bees in a jar, and sitting on the floor in front of the TV set watching my favorite shows. One in particular, where a boy about my age traveled through space with his best friend, a robot. Who wouldn't jump at the chance to do that at that age. It tapped into many of my childhood dreams and created some too. Thank you, Bob. I wish you peaceful rest.
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Jan 20, 2009 11:23:56 PM CST
2009, so far, has been the year of cool people departing.
by heavenlykid
Perhaps, in heaven, they are making one kickass science fiction movie.
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You made a lot of kids and sci-fi fans VERY happy with your work, which will continue to live on... :)
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you hit it on the head. I remember a daily routine heading home from the public pool so I could get back in time to see the Lost in Space reruns at 4:00 on my local UHF station. A boy and his robot indeed. ba - babababababa. Great memories.
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True, but 2008 really kicked our ass. The Oscar montage this year is going to suck because we'll see so many great actors who departed.
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Man, it's going to be a real depressing "In Memorium" this year. See ya, Bob!
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Condolences to his family. I watched LIS first run and also afterschool in syndication. Robot was a huge part of the show's appeal to me. I was very jealous of a friend who had the toy version that was out in the '60s.
Thanks Bob. -
Had a chance to meet and talk with Bob May and to say he was a character is an understatement. The guy had a story for everything and never had a problem stating what was on his mind. I will miss seeing him at the shows...peace to ya Bob
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When did they go to space? Or have they always been in space?...
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LOST IN SPACE started out as very SERIOUS. The early episodes were very dark. Dr Smith was a real villian. When the very campy BATMAN show started on another network, the SUITS at the the first network forced LOST IN SPACE to become HIGH CAMP to compete for viewers. Sad but true. RIP Mr Bob May. I can still see the robot and all his mannerisms in my mind.
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I've met Lost in Space cast members over the years and I've been told that he had psychiatric problems and on the set of the show, for example, he would never leave the Robot costume. Apparently other cast members wouldn't do convention appearances if he was attending. I don't mean to be a kiljoy, I'm just sayin'.
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