Lost in Space actor dead at 69

by Stevie Smith - Jan 19 2009, 13:00

Viewers of the 1960s sci-fi television drama Lost in Space may never have seen his face, but the recent death of Bob May is still likely to evoke pangs of emotion with those who followed the Robinson family’s futuristic adventures.

Much like David Prowse as Darth Vader in the Star Wars movies, Bob May gained his cult notoriety on the modern retelling of Swiss Family Robinson by providing the human power behind the show’s ever faithful Robot.

Serving as both a stage and screen actor – and also as a stuntman – during his career in Hollywood, Lost in Space lore suggests Mr. May was handed the show’s silent and invisible role simply because he was the right size to fit within the robot prop suit.

While the distinctive voice of Darth Vader was provided by James Earl James, the Robot’s voice for Lost in Space was delivered by announcer Dick Tufeld.

According to his daughter, Deborah May, the 69-year-old performer died on Sunday of congestive heart failure at a hospital in Lancaster, California.   

Beyond the faceless confines of the robot suit, which he reportedly saw as a “home away from home” and remained within for several hours at a time, Mr. May also made appearances in popular U.S. television shows of the time including The Time Tunnel, The Red Skelton Show and McHale’s Navy.

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