Virginia Robinson Dead at 99

Virginia Robinson in Broad City

Virginia Robinson died peacefully in her home in New York City on June 8. She was 99.

Robinson was a New York City resident for over sixty years and a working actress from ages 19 to 98. She was born Virginia Routh on March 27, 1919, in Newark, New Jersey. She trained in London, and was acting and modeling professionally by the age of 19.

During World War II, Robinson was a member of the USO, entertaining troops in Africa and Italy. After the war she worked for the Dupont Radio Hour, and began a serious acting career.

She performed in fifteen Broadway plays, working with such directors as Elia Kazan, Franco Zefferelli, John Gielgud and George S. Kaufman. She was a standby for Vivien Leigh in "Duel of Angels." She also worked Off-Broadway and in Regional Theatre.

She appeared in numerous films, including Diary of a Mad Housewife, and spent many years in daytime drama, where she had long-term roles on Love of Life and Loving. From 1954 to 1957 she starred on Love of Life as Judith Lodge Raven, the ex-wife of Paul Raven, who was now in love with Vanessa Dale.

She is known to current audiences as the hilarious and strange Garol in Broad City. Broad City paid a tribute to her on their website two years ago.

Until a stroke at 98, Virginia auditioned and worked frequently as an actor

In the Love of Life episode below from February 8, 1955, Robinson's Judith receives a warning from Ben (played by future General Hospital legend David Lewis).