Charles Robinson
Charles "Charlie" Robinson (born November 9, 1945) is a critically acclaimed American theater and television actor. He is best known for his role as Mac Robinson in the NBC sitcom Night Court. He has also been performing since the 1960s, is a member of the Actors Studio, and is considered by Playwright Lyle Kessler to be "one of the great American Actors."In his early career, he was a singer; as a teenager with the group Archie Bell and the Drells, and later with a group called Southern Clouds of Joy.Robinson's credits include appearances in Black Gestapo, The White Shadow, Flamingo Road, The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, Touched by an Angel, and Antwone Fisher. Robinson was cast in the role on Newdell in the NBC comedy Buffalo Bill. Not the hit it was expected to be, Buffalo Bill was canceled after one season and replaced by Night Court. Robinson was cast as court clerk Mac Robinson, after the first season in 1984, when Karen Austin, who played the original court clerk, left the cast. Robinson played the role on Night Court from 1984 until its end in 1992. He also directed three episodes of the series. From 1992 to 1995, Robinson co-starred on the sitcom Love & War, replacing John Hancock who died a few episodes into the series run. Robinson played recurrent character Bud Harper in Home Improvement, and continues to appear on shows including House, The Bernie Mac Show, My Wife and Kids, Soul Food, Charmed, How I Met Your Mother and My Name Is Earl.In 2010, Robinson worked at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival and co-starred in the film on Jackson (2008). Robinson appeared as "Troy" in August Wilson's Fences at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, CA from January 22, 2010 until February 21, 2010.