OBITUARIES - Jan. 19, 2009
Bob May, a veteran actor and stuntman who gained a cult following as The Robot in the television show “Lost in Space,” died Sunday of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Lancaster, according to his daughter, Deborah May. He was 69.
A hit series that debuted in 1965, “Lost in Space” was a retelling of “The Swiss Family Robinson” story in which Professor John Robinson, his wife and their children are on a space mission when their craft is knocked hopelessly off course by the evil Dr. Zachary Smith, who becomes trapped in space with them.
May’s robot was the Robinson family’s loyal sidekick. His often-quoted expression to one of the children, “Danger, Will Robinson,” became a national catchphrase.
Although May didn’t provide the robot’s distinctive voice (that was done by announcer Dick Tufeld), he developed a devoted following of fans who sought him out at memorabilia shows.
The grandson of famed vaudeville comedian Chic Johnson, May was born in New York City.
By the age of 2, was appearing with Johnson in comedy reviews.
He went on to appear in numerous films and television shows.
May and his wife lost their home in November when a wildfire destroyed the upscale mobile home park in Sylmar in which they lived.