Ann Robinson, best known for her role as Sylvia Van Buren in the 1953 sci-fi classic The War of the Worlds, has died at the age of 96. The actress passed away at her home in Los Angeles on 26 September 2025, as revealed by her granddaughter, Tori Bravo, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. Her death had not been previously reported.
Early Life and Career
Born and raised in Hollywood, Robinson began her film career as a stunt performer. She made her screen debut as an uncredited character in the 1949 Western Black Midnight alongside Roddy McDowell, followed by a role in the 1950 film Frenchie, where her childhood horseback riding skills were put to use with Joel McCrea and Shelley Winters. Her big break came when she auditioned for producer George Pal to star in his adaptation of H.G. Wells' 1898 novel The War of the Worlds.
Role in War of the Worlds
Robinson landed the part of Sylvia Van Buren, a library science teacher who, alongside Pacific Tech professor Clayton Forrester (played by Gene Barry), must find a way to stop Martians terrorizing Earth with a deadly heat-ray. Her performance, marked by a memorable scream and on-screen courage, elevated the character beyond the typical "damsel in distress" trope, cementing her place in the pantheon of sci-fi heroines.
In a particularly iconic scene, Sylvia and Dr. Forrester hide from the Martians in a farmhouse when an alien reaches out to touch her shoulder. Forrester responds by attacking the creature with a hatchet. Reflecting on the scene, Robinson later joked, "I always thought, 'This guy might have been nice! Maybe we ruined a chance for peace because Gene Barry got overzealous and threw that hatchet.'" She added, "This Martian was just coming up behind me to tap me on the shoulder – he wasn’t aggressive, he wasn’t mean. Of course, the Martians had blown my uncle apart, along with a bunch of other people, but maybe this guy was the nice one who wanted to negotiate."
Later Appearances
Robinson reprised her role as Sylvia in a few episodes of the War of the Worlds TV series that ran from 1988 to 1990. More recently, both she and Gene Barry were invited by Steven Spielberg to reprise the farmhouse scene in his 2005 adaptation starring Tom Cruise. Robinson recalled being treated like "royalty" on set. That same year, she played Sylvia once more in the parody film The Naked Monster.
Personal Life and Hiatus
In 1957, Robinson put her career on hold to travel to Mexico and marry renowned matador Jaime Bravo. This decision, she admitted, "blew my career right out of the water. When I got back home, Hollywood had passed me by. I just ruined it, I blew it." She and Bravo had two children before divorcing in 1967.
Television and Film Work
Throughout the 1960s, Robinson guest-starred on numerous TV shows, including Perry Mason, Bachelor Father, The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp, Peter Gunn, Death Valley Days, and 77 Sunset Strip. She also appeared in the 1959 film Imitation of Life with Lana Turner and Juanita Moore. Her other film credits include The Damned Don’t Cry, All About Eve, Goodbye, My Fancy, and The Cimarron Kid.
Final Performance and Legacy
Robinson's final performance was a voiceover role in the 2020 film The Last Page of Summer. She is survived by her son, Jaime Bravo Jr, and grandson Sammy. Her contribution to science fiction cinema, particularly her groundbreaking role in The War of the Worlds, continues to be celebrated by fans and critics alike.
