Lost In Space Robot Bob May Dies

Robot Bob May of Sci-fi TV Series 'Lost In Space' Passes Away in CA

Jan 19, 2009 Donna Diegel

"Danger, Will Robinson!" was the beloved Robot's famous tagline in the 1960s sci-fi series 'Lost In Space'. The Robot, Bob May, died at the age of 69 in California.

The year was 1965, and most families had brand new black and white televisions in their living rooms. It didn't matter back then, because the long-running sci-fi TV show, 'Lost In Space' show was in black & white in the 60s. The beloved Robot, played by Bob May will forever be remembered for his warning, "Danger, Will Robinson!".

Favorite Sci-Fi Show of the 1960s

Kids of all ages waited patiently and impatiently each week for the newest hit sci-fi show, 'Lost In Space'! There were no vcr's or Tivo in 1965 to record 'Lost In Space', so if you missed it, you missed it. Forget the reruns. To a kid, that was forever! The show ran for three seasons with 83 episodes, making 'Lost In Space' one of television's favorite science fiction series of the 1960s.

Bob May - The Robot

USA Today reports, " Bob May, who donned The Robot's suit in the hit 1960s television show Lost in Space, has died. He was 69. May died Sunday (January 18, 2009) of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Lancaster, said his daughter, Deborah May."

According to The Associated Press, "It was one of those wonderful Hollywood stories. He (Bob May) just happened to be on the studio lot when someone saw him and sent him to see Irwin Allen about the part. Allen said, 'If you can fit in the suit, you've got the job.'"

The Robot of 'Lost In Space'

One of the favorite characters of the show was strangely enough, The Robot. He was dressed the same each week in his cheesy silver suit with arms that looked like huge slinkys when he waved them wildly during a warning. Kids everywhere were hypnotized with his bulbous glass "head" full of electric diodes, wires and buttons, and his mechanical sounding voice. Even though Bob May was the man in the suit, it was someone else that did the The Robot's voice.

"Danger, Will Robinson!"

The Robot, played by Bob May, defended the Robinson family week after week in what seemed like life or death situations. Will, played by Billy Mummy and The Robot were best friends. An enormous ugly monster or scary alien was always around a fake rock ready to destroy the Jupiter 2. The evil stowaway Dr. Smith, was often accused - and rightly so - of plotting diabolical schemes of mass destruction that threatened the very existence for the Robinson family. The Robot will always be remembered for his dire warning, "Danger, Will Robinson!"

Cast & Crew of 'Lost In Space' 1965-1968

• The Robot: Bob May (the man in the suit) & Dick Tufeld (the voice of The Robot) - The Beloved Robot
• Doctor Zachary Smith: Jonathan Harris - The evil stowaway
• Will Robinson: Billy Mummy - The Robot's best friend
• Penny Robinson: Angela Cartwright - Will's younger sister
• Judy Robinson: Marta Kristen - Will's oldest sister
• Doctor John Robinson: Guy Williams - Commander of the Jupiter 2 and Will's father
• Maureen Robinson: June Lockhart - Will's mother
• Major Don West: Mark Goddard - Pilot of the Jupiter 2

All three seasons of 'Lost In Space' are available in vhs and dvd. The 1998 remake of 'Lost In Space' starring Gary Oldman, William Hurt, Matt LeBlanc, and Mimi Rogers is also available on VHS and DVD.

Sources: theassociatedpress.com; usatoday.com; amazon.com

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Lost In Space Robot