SAG-AFTRA Mourns the Passing of Former National Board Member Tony Roberts

SAG-AFTRA offers its condolences to friends and family on the passing of Tony Roberts, a former National and New York Local Board member. Roberts, who died Feb. 7 at the age of 85, was an accomplished performer on stage and screen, and a distinguished union leader.

Roberts was best known for his multiple appearances in Woody Allen films, including Annie Hall; Play It Again, Sam; and Hannah and Her Sisters, as well as movies Serpico, Dirty Dancing and many others. On television, Roberts made appearances in Matlock; Murder, She Wrote; Law & Order; and Trapper John, M.D. Onstage, Roberts appeared in two dozen Broadway productions and received two Tony Award nominations.

In a 2008 interview with Screen Actors Guild’s New York Actor publication, Roberts credited his father Ken with inspiring him to pursue acting and union service. Ken, who was a founding member of AFTRA and an announcer for popular radio programs, would take young Tony with him to the studio, sparking a lifelong passion for performance and unionism.  

Tony Roberts, who joined the union in March 1962, began his Screen Actors Guild National Board service in 1988, when he was elected to serve a two-year term representing the SAG New York Division Board. He would continue as a National Board member until 2005.