Leroy Robinson(1934-2015)
- Writer
- Producer
Born in Sumter, South Carolina on June 24th 1934 he moved to Brooklyn, NY when he was 3 yrs. old. He attended local public schools and entered the US Air Force where he served during the Korean War for four years and trained as an electrical engineer. He received a M.A. in Humanities & History from California State University, Dominguez Hills in 1990 and earned his Ph.D. in Media Studies at Union Institute in 1996;
Well before completing academic studies, Dr. Robinson intuitively understood that a more rewarding and creative life was part of his destiny and by 1960 he relocated to Los Angeles, CA. Though he continued to work as an engineer, he studied writing and pursued his interest in music and other art forms. Elegant Magazine, a start-up fashion publication, gave Leroy his first professional writing job and from there his career took flight.
Leroy was part of an entrepreneurial, artistic and boldly imaginative group of men that connected through a series of entertainment oriented businesses that remain part of the legacy of African-American film, television and print media in the heydays of Hollywood. An eclectic combination of serious music historian and jazz buff, brash risk-taker and arts champion, Leroy found challenging and exciting opportunities to express the many dimensions of his talent and ambition. Together with close friends and business partners, John Daniels and Bernie Rollins, the three collaborated on the launch and operation of one of South Los Angeles' premier nightspots of its time. Leroy named the place Maverick's Flat and left the management to John and the interior design to Bernie. The business prospered for decades; however the marriages of each of the partners did not.
New opportunities arose from the ashes of the Watts Riots of 1965 and Leroy enrolled in a screenwriting workshop in Watts created by the iconic Hollywood screenwriter, Budd Schulberg. Leroy expanded his vision and soon mastered the art of screenwriting. He went on to become an editorial contributor to SOUL ILLUSTRATED and was offered the position of Editor. The magazine, hailed as a breakthrough publication that promoted artists and the arts in the Black community, rivaled Bill Board and Variety in readership among the Hollywood in-crowd. Leroy subsequently landed as head writer for the ABC television production of Black Omnibus starring James Earl Jones. After that he won an Emmy for producing the Nancy Wilson Show- where he teamed with the legendary Wally Amos - (better known as Famous Amos for delicious cookies). Leroy's film experience included script doctor for the hilarious comedy, "Car Wash" though his name would not appear in the trailers to the film. Hollywood, Leroy learned, was not a kind place and not dependable for supporting a family. In a final fling with fame, Leroy and his long-time friend and then writing partner, Bernie Rollins made documentaries and educational media with moderate success. The industry largely overlooked the talents of Black writers unless they were willing to focus on the underside of Black life in America. Proudly, they turned away and moved on to other pursuits.
Leroy turned toward another of exceptional innate talents, teaching. His experiences in the industry made him a natural sought after Professor of Media Studies at Oxnard College where he taught for eighteen years. After retiring, he fulfilled another lifetime dream and took his bride back to her native Hawaii where they lived until his sudden passing on May 27, 2015.
Well before completing academic studies, Dr. Robinson intuitively understood that a more rewarding and creative life was part of his destiny and by 1960 he relocated to Los Angeles, CA. Though he continued to work as an engineer, he studied writing and pursued his interest in music and other art forms. Elegant Magazine, a start-up fashion publication, gave Leroy his first professional writing job and from there his career took flight.
Leroy was part of an entrepreneurial, artistic and boldly imaginative group of men that connected through a series of entertainment oriented businesses that remain part of the legacy of African-American film, television and print media in the heydays of Hollywood. An eclectic combination of serious music historian and jazz buff, brash risk-taker and arts champion, Leroy found challenging and exciting opportunities to express the many dimensions of his talent and ambition. Together with close friends and business partners, John Daniels and Bernie Rollins, the three collaborated on the launch and operation of one of South Los Angeles' premier nightspots of its time. Leroy named the place Maverick's Flat and left the management to John and the interior design to Bernie. The business prospered for decades; however the marriages of each of the partners did not.
New opportunities arose from the ashes of the Watts Riots of 1965 and Leroy enrolled in a screenwriting workshop in Watts created by the iconic Hollywood screenwriter, Budd Schulberg. Leroy expanded his vision and soon mastered the art of screenwriting. He went on to become an editorial contributor to SOUL ILLUSTRATED and was offered the position of Editor. The magazine, hailed as a breakthrough publication that promoted artists and the arts in the Black community, rivaled Bill Board and Variety in readership among the Hollywood in-crowd. Leroy subsequently landed as head writer for the ABC television production of Black Omnibus starring James Earl Jones. After that he won an Emmy for producing the Nancy Wilson Show- where he teamed with the legendary Wally Amos - (better known as Famous Amos for delicious cookies). Leroy's film experience included script doctor for the hilarious comedy, "Car Wash" though his name would not appear in the trailers to the film. Hollywood, Leroy learned, was not a kind place and not dependable for supporting a family. In a final fling with fame, Leroy and his long-time friend and then writing partner, Bernie Rollins made documentaries and educational media with moderate success. The industry largely overlooked the talents of Black writers unless they were willing to focus on the underside of Black life in America. Proudly, they turned away and moved on to other pursuits.
Leroy turned toward another of exceptional innate talents, teaching. His experiences in the industry made him a natural sought after Professor of Media Studies at Oxnard College where he taught for eighteen years. After retiring, he fulfilled another lifetime dream and took his bride back to her native Hawaii where they lived until his sudden passing on May 27, 2015.
