Ann Robinson, Iconic *War of the Worlds* Actress, Dies at 96

Ann Robinson died on September 26 at her Los Angeles home, aged 96. Her granddaughter, Tori Bravo, confirmed the death to The Hollywood Reporter, noting the news had not been publicly disclosed earlier.

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Born May 25, 1929 in Hollywood, California, Robinson attended Hollywood High School and Sacred Heart Academy in La Canada Flintridge. She began as a stunt performer, doubling for June Havoc in *The Story of Molly X* (1949), and earned a $125-a-week Paramount contract as part of its “Golden Circle” of emerging talent.

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Robinson’s most celebrated role was Sylvia Van Buren in George Pal’s 1953 film *The War of the Worlds*. She reprised the character in the 1988-90 syndicated TV series. Credits also include a supporting part in the first *Dragnet* film (1954), an alien queen on *Rocky Jones, Space Ranger*, and guest spots on 1960s series such as *Perry Mason* and *The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp*. Spielberg invited her in 2005 to reprise a scene for his remake of the novel.

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• May 25, 1929 – Birth in Hollywood.

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• 1949 – Stunt work on *The Story of Molly X*.

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• 1953 – Cast as Sylvia Van Buren in *The War of the Worlds*.

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• 1957 – Married matador Jaime Bravo; paused acting.

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• 1988-90 – Reprised Sylvia in TV series.

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• September 26 – Death at age 96.

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Robinson died at 96. Her Paramount contract paid $125 per week. Her screen career spanned roughly 1949-1990, covering more than four decades.

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Robinson’s portrayal of Sylvia helped define science-fiction aesthetics and is cited by filmmakers, including Spielberg, as an influence on adaptations of H. G. Wells’s novel. Her reflections on the 1953 film illustrate its lasting appeal to genre audiences.

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Granddaughter Tori Bravo confirmed the death to The Hollywood Reporter, emphasizing family privacy. The outlet noted the announcement remained undisclosed until the statement. Industry recollections cited Spielberg’s invitation to Robinson for a cameo in his 2005 remake, underscoring continued professional respect.

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The source does not specify the calendar year of the September 26 death, nor does it detail the timeline of public disclosure beyond the reporter’s note, leaving the exact date unverified.

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• “I always thought, ‘This guy might have been nice! Maybe we ruined a chance for peace because Gene Barry got overzealous and threw that hatchet,'” — Ann Robinson, actress.

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• “My son, who was with me, told me he heard people saying, ‘She’s here, she’s here!’ after we arrived on the set. Then for the Ziegfeld Theater premiere, they flew me to New York first class, put me up in a beautiful hotel overlooking Central Park and arranged for a limousine to drive my family around. I waited 60 years to get that treatment!” — Ann Robinson.

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• “I’ve gotten more mileage out of War of the Worlds than Vivien Leigh did on Gone With the Wind,” — Ann Robinson.

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