Charlie Robinson

Affable, amiable actor best known as the laid-back court clerk on NBC's long-running sitcom "Night Court" (1984-1992). A native of Houston TX, Robinson was working as a toolmaker when the inspiration to act struck him while watching Bill Cosby in an episode of "I Spy." Robinson decided he could do that, enrolled in acting classes at Houston's Studio 7 and the University of Houston and before long was making a name for himself as an acting teacher as well as making appearances in the Houston theater scene. After moving to LA during the 1970s, Robinson won his first TV acting job in the miniseries "The Trial of Lee Harvey Oswald" (1977), and made his feature film debut the following year in the forgettable "Uncle Joe Shannon" (1978) about a down-and-out trumpet player.

Robinson had small roles in the miniseries sequel "Roots: The Next Generation" (1979) and the TV-movie "Haywire" (1980) before landing the regular role in the long-running courthouse sitcom "Night Court" (1984-92) where as the unflappable court officer Mac Robinson he tried to maintain some sense of order amidst the wacky goings-on. When the series ended its nine-season run, Robinson segued into the regular role of bartender/manager Abe Johnson in the sitcom "Love & War" (1992-95 ). As brother of the deceased co-owner of the Blue Shamrock, Johnson was a cynical former Detroit autoworker who ended up managing the restaurant when his dead brother's partner decided to stay in Europe. Abe found himself trying to run a business and run interference with the various situations that cropped up with his unwieldy staff of employees and regular customers, including chef Dana (Annie Potts) and her turbulent relationship with her opinionated lover (Jay Thomas). He returned to series TV in 1996 as part of the ensemble supporting stars Ted Danson and Mary Steenburgen in the CBS sitcom "Ink."