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Jill Schary Robinson, writer who was part of a rich Hollywood lineage, dies at 88

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Jill Schary Robinson, writer who was part of a rich Hollywood lineage, dies at 88

As a movie reviewer with a deep appreciation for the lives of those who have left indelible marks on the literary and Hollywood landscapes, I cannot help but feel a profound sense of loss upon learning of the passing of Jill Schary Robinson. Her life story is as captivating and multifaceted as any blockbuster movie script, filled with twists, turns, and unexpected surprises that would make even the most seasoned screenwriter green with envy.

Jill Schary Robinson, an accomplished author who penned novels, memoirs, essays, and journalistic pieces, passed away on Saturday in Beverly Hills. This sad news was confirmed by her family to The Times. Robinson was 88 years old.

In the Californian city of Los Angeles, Miriam Svet, a painter, and Isadore “Dore” Schary, a playwright and screenwriter, welcomed the birth of their daughter in the year 1936.

Robinson and Jane Fonda have been close friends since childhood. They’ve managed to keep in touch over the years, with Fonda sharing in 2021 that she attended Robinson’s birthday party and had a fantastic time. On Facebook, she wrote, “I enjoyed reconnecting with Jill and meeting her new friends – several of whom are part of her writers workshop, where they currently focus on autobiographical writing. Jill is an exceptional writer.”

Robinson kicked off her writing journey in advertising, serving as a copywriter at Foote, Cone & Belding under the guidance of Helen Gurley Brown. Later, Brown became the long-term editor-in-chief of Cosmopolitan magazine.

In the 1950s and ’60s, Robinson donned the hat of a journalist and reported on political trials for the Soho Weekly News. He also hosted a talk show on radio station KLAC and conducted interviews with celebrities and notable figures on KPFK. (Or) During the 1950s and ’60s, Robinson worked as a journalist, writing about political trials for the Soho Weekly News. He additionally hosted a talk show on KLAC radio and interviewed famous personalities and politicians on KPFK.

I find it truly fascinating how some people’s lives intertwine with history, and Dore Schary’s is no exception. Born into a unique upbringing, being raised by a celebrated figure in Hollywood, made his later achievements all the more impressive.

Following the publication and widespread acclaim of “With a Cast of Thousands” by Robinson in 1963, recounting her upbringing during Hollywood’s Golden Age, she continued to write for Cosmopolitan magazine starting from 1965. During this time, she focused on addressing groundbreaking women’s issues.

As a devoted cinema enthusiast, I’ve come across some intriguing literary works that later inspired captivating adaptations. Following “Thanks for the Rubies, Now Please Pass the Moon” (published in 1972), which was described in a Los Angeles Times review as having a unique blend of humor and absurdity – sending J. Edgar Hoover into space, portraying Howard Hughes as a revolutionary leader, and depicting the Peace Corps as an American equivalent to the Beatles, came “Bed/Time/Story,” a powerful drug-addiction memoir. The latter work eventually made its way onto our television screens under the title “A Cry for Love.”

Robinson got married three times in her life. Her first husband was U.S. Navy Lt. Jon Courrier Zimmer, whom she married in 1956. After this marriage, she went on to marry computer analyst Jeremiah Robinson in 1968. Lastly, in 1980, she exchanged vows with Stuart Shaw, who was then a consultant, writer, and film-distribution executive based in London.

As a freelance journalist and book critic, Robinson contributed articles to various publications based in the United States and later in London. Some of these include the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Vanity Fair, U.S. and French editions of Vogue, Daily Telegraph, and Huffington Post, not forgetting Cosmopolitan.

In 1978, Robinson published her first novel, “Perdido,” which solidified her reputation as a dedicated novelist prior to her move to London with Shaw. Subsequently, she released “Dr. Rocksinger and the Age of Longing” in 1982 and “Follow Me Through Paris” in 1983. Before writing her memoir, “Past Forgetting: My Memory Lost and Found,” which came out in 1999, Robinson penned “Star Country” in 1998. “Past Forgetting” recounts the author’s experiences following a seizure and regaining consciousness in a London hospital in 1992 without any memory of her husband or the previous ten years.

As a film enthusiast, I’d describe it like this: In 2002, I came across a captivating movie titled “Falling in Love Again When You Least Expect It,” which was penned by Robinson and Shaw. This heartwarming tale struck a chord with me as it follows the story of two individuals who believed they had reached the end of their romantic journey. Yet, fate had other plans when they serendipitously met in a quaint Connecticut diner.

In 2005, I was fortunate enough to receive a lifetime grant to establish and manage the Wimpole Street Writers group, a non-profit organization based in London. This community provided a platform for writers to share ideas, collaborate, and offer mutual support. Even after Shaw and I moved back to Los Angeles, the group persisted and continued to thrive.

Robinson contributed significantly to the rescue of the Motion Picture & Television Fund, a charitable organization that supports retired individuals from the entertainment industry, particularly those who are elderly. In 2009, she penned an article for The Times recounting her husband’s inspiring experiences residing there amidst their critical long-term and acute care services on the brink of being discontinued. Shaw was among the 136 residents in long-term care at that time.

She expressed her disappointment by writing, “The film industry promised to provide for its artists’ families through the motion picture home. Unfortunately, that promise has been betrayed. Closing the home means abandoning our own future needs. As we grow old, we will require care and compassion. We desire a place that acknowledges and caters to our unique abilities, idiosyncrasies, and apprehensions.”

Following intense criticism from the industry regarding the closure announcement during the Great Recession due to escalating expenses, the MPTF Foundation emerged as a response. Subsequently, an extensive fundraising campaign was initiated, spearheaded by George Clooney and Jeffrey Katzenberg. Previous contributions from notables such as Clooney, Katzenberg, Barry Diller, David Geffen, Tom Cruise, Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong (current proprietor and executive chairman of the Los Angeles Times), and numerous others were augmented. The organization continues to thrive in collaboration with UCLA Medical.

In the year 2011, Shaw passed away. However, in more recent times, a collection of Robinson’s writings titled “Go Find Out” was released for public consumption in the year 2021. Her last novel, named “Come Home Canyon,” also saw the light of day in the year 2023.

Jeremie Zimmer,co-founder and CEO of UTA, and Johanna Simmel are the two children who mourn the loss of their mother, Robinson. They are joined in grief by her eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

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2024-07-26 14:32

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