Broadcaster, actor.
Born in Winnipeg, son of Robert McKay Robertson (1902-1979) and Catherine Stewart Berry “Kay” Candline (1905-2005), he had a long career in broadcasting and theatre. From 1947 to 1952, he was an announcer and disc jockey at CJOB and read the Saturday morning comics in the air with Cliff Gardner.
After leaving CJOB, he performed radio dramas as a freelancer on CBC, was involved with the Winnipeg Little Theatre and received the Victor Sifton Trophy for Solo Drama Performance. He opened a drama school called Actors Showcase. In 1958, he began performing at the Manitoba Theatre Centre; was a business manager, artistic director, and producer for Rainbow Stage; and produced and directed musicals for the University of Manitoba.
In 1966, he returned to the CBC as a television producer and director, holding the position for 20 years and producing “Around Town”, “Reach for the Top”, documentaries, local talent shows, and the Diane Stapley Show. He also continued acting in movies and local productions. He received the ACTRA National Award for best performance for two years in a row.
He married ballet dancer-teacher Viola Anna Busday with whom he had one child.
He died at Winnipeg on 19 September 2004 and was buried in the Green Acres Memorial Gardens.
Obituary, Winnipeg Free Press, 22 September 2004.
Obituary [Viola Busday Robertson], Winnipeg Free Press, 3 May 2017.
This page was prepared by Lois Braun and Gordon Goldsborough.
Page revised: 11 January 2021
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