Bob May

Performer

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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About

About this interview

In his one-hour-plus Archive interview, Bob May (1939-2009), the grandson of Chic Johnson (of the Vaudeville duo Olsen and Johnson) describes beginning his career as a toddler, performing onstage with his grandfather. He continued the tradition, appearing on stage and television on various shows. May details the role he is best known for, that of the "Robot" on Lost In Space. He discusses the physical challenges of performing in the costume, as well as the feat of giving the robot a "personality." Karen Herman conducted the interview on August 17, 2003 in Burbank, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"The robot and Will Robinson were like a boy and his dog."

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Highlights

Bob May on getting cast as "Robot" on Lost in Space

02:42

Bob May on "Robot's" role on Lost in Space and how it related to the other characters

01:56

Bob May on working with Jonathan Harris, "Dr. Smith" on Lost in Space

02:51

Bob May on the costume for "Robot" on Lost in Space and the expressions he made within the suit

02:45

Bob May on the "Junkyard of Space" episode of Lost in Space - the last episode

01:07

Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his childhood and early influences; on his grandfather, Chic Johnson of Olsen & Johnson, and performing with and directing the pair; on working with the duo on early television

On continuing to work with Olsen & Johnson when he was drafted into the Army during World War I; on emulating his grandfather

On branching out on his own; on his early television appearances and working with Gene Roddenberry and Irwin Allen

On his grandson receiving a wish from the Make-A-Wish Foundation; on working with Jerry Lewis

Chapter 2

On getting cast as "Robot" on Lost in Space; on the costume for "Robot" and controlling it mechanically

On the biggest challenge of working in "Robot's" costume on Lost in Space; on the dialogue on the show

On "Robot's" role on Lost in Space and how it related to the other characters; on some of his favorite "Dr. Smith" and "Robot" moments

On the cast of Lost in Space

On fan mail he received; on originally not being credited on the show; on being comfortable inside the robot costume

Chapter 3

On specific episodes of Lost in Space; on learning the show would end

On his charity work; on then-current projects; on advice to an aspiring performer

Shows

Lieutenant, The

Bob May on working with Gene Roddenberry on The Lieutenant

00:26

Lost in Space

Bob May on getting cast as "Robot" on Lost in Space

02:42

Bob May on the costume for "Robot" on Lost in Space and the expressions he made within the suit

02:45

Bob May on controlling "Robot" mechanically on Lost in Space

02:37

Bob May on how he saw out of "Robot's" costume on Lost in Space

00:43

Bob May on the biggest challenge of working in "Robot's" costume on Lost in Space; on the dialogue on the show

01:31

Bob May on operating the light on "Robot's" costume on Lost in Space

01:34

Bob May on "Robot's" role on Lost in Space and how it related to the other characters

01:56

Bob May on working with Jonathan Harris, "Dr. Smith" on Lost in Space

02:51

Bob May on some of his favorite "Dr. Smith" and "Robot" moments on Lost in Space

01:18

Bob May on the cast of Lost in Space

07:19

Bob May on the fan mail he received while on Lost in Space

00:49

Bob May on originally not being credited on Lost in Space

01:29

Bob May on being comfortable in the robot costume on Lost in Space

01:41

Bob May on "The Vegetable Rebellion" episode of Lost in Space

01:09

Bob May on the pilot and "The Reluctant Stowaway" episodes of Lost in Space

00:49

Bob May on "The War of the Robots" episode of Lost in Space

01:51

Bob May on "The Trip Through The Robot" episode of Lost in Space

00:23

Bob May on the "Mechanical Men" episode of Lost in Space

00:19

Bob May on the "Anti-Matter Man" episode of Lost in Space

01:06

Bob May on the "Junkyard of Space" episode of Lost in Space - the last episode

01:07

Bob May on the end of Lost in Space

00:43

Bob May on the cult following of Lost in Space

00:48

To Tell the Truth

Bob May on appearing on To Tell the Truth

00:34

Topics

Advice

Bob May on advice to an aspiring performer

01:02

Fame & Celebrity

Bob May on the fan mail he received while on Lost in Space

00:49

Historic Events and Social Change

Bob May on continuing to work with Olsen & Johnson when he was drafted into the Army during World War II

02:56

Television Industry

Bob May on the fan mail he received while on Lost in Space

00:49

Bob May on advice to an aspiring performer

01:02

War

Bob May on continuing to work with Olsen & Johnson when he was drafted into the Army during World War II

02:56

World War II

Bob May on continuing to work with Olsen & Johnson when he was drafted into the Army during World War II

02:56

Professions

Actor

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Bob May on advice to an aspiring performer

01:02

Performers

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Bob May on advice to an aspiring performer

01:02

Genres

Comedy Series

Bob May on playing "Robot" on Lost in Space

29:21

Bob May on specific episodes of Lost in Space; on learning the show would end

08:25

Sci-Fi/Supernatural Series

Bob May on playing "Robot" on Lost in Space

29:21

Bob May on specific episodes of Lost in Space; on learning the show would end

08:25

People

Irwin Allen

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Bob May on working with Gene Roddenberry and Irwin Allen

00:56

Bob May on getting cast as "Robot" on Lost in Space

02:42

Bob May on originally not being credited on Lost in Space

01:29

Jonathan Harris

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Bob May on working with Jonathan Harris, "Dr. Smith" on Lost in Space

02:51

Bob May on the cast of Lost in Space - Jonathan Harris

02:30

Chic Johnson

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Bob May on his grandfather, Chic Johnson of the Vaudeville duo Olsen & Johnson, and performing with the pair and directing them

03:03

Bob May on Olsen & Johnson's pioneering television work and working with the duo on early TV programs

04:21

Bob May on continuing to work with Olsen & Johnson when he was drafted into the Army during World War II

02:56

Bob May on emulating his grandfather, Chic Johnson

02:17

Bob May on what he learned from his grandfather, Chic Johnson

00:28

Jerry Lewis

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Bob May on working with Jerry Lewis

00:34

June Lockhart

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Bob May on the cast of Lost in Space - June Lockhart

01:09

Bill Mumy

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Bob May on the cast of Lost in Space - Bill Mumy

00:52

Ole Olsen

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Bob May on his grandfather, Chic Johnson of the Vaudeville duo Olsen & Johnson, and performing with the pair and directing them

03:03

Bob May on Olsen & Johnson's pioneering television work and working with the duo on early TV programs

04:21

Bob May on continuing to work with Olsen & Johnson when he was drafted into the Army during World War II

02:56

Gene Roddenberry

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Bob May on working with Gene Roddenberry and Roddenberry wanting him for a role on Star Trek

01:47