Actor Bob May Dies

Actor Bob May died 18 Sunday 2009 of congestive heart failure. Born in New York City in 1939, he was an actor and stuntman who may be most remembered for playing the robot in Lost in Space. He was in the costume, but didn't provide the voice (the voice actor was Dick Tufeld), and appeared in all 83 episodes from 1965 to 1968.

The Associated Press quotes his co-star June Lockhart as saying "He always said he got the job because he fit in the robot suit. It was one of those wonderful Hollywood stories. He just happened to be on the studio lot when someone saw him and sent him to see Irwin Allen about the part. Allen said, 'If you can fit in the suit, you've got the job.'"

May was the grandson of vaudeville comedian Chic Johnson and made his own show business debut at the age of 2. The AP reports that he also appeared in films with Jerry Lewis, and in one episode of The Time Tunnel (1967).

He is survived by his wife, two children, and four grandchildren.