David Anthony "Tony" Roberts (born October 22, 1939) is an American actor. He is best known for his roles in several Woody Allen movies, usually cast as Allen's best friend.Early lifeRoberts was born in New York City, the son of Norma (née Finkelstein), an animator, and CBS radio announcer Ken Roberts. His family was Jewish. He has a sister, Nancy, and is the cousin of late actor Everett Sloane. Roberts attended Northwestern University and made his Broadway debut in 1962, with a role in the play Something About a Soldier.CareerFilmRoberts is best known for his collaborations with Woody Allen. In Annie Hall, he portrayed Alvy Singer's best friend Rob. Other Allen films and/or plays in which he has appeared include both the Broadway and film versions of Play It Again, Sam (not actually directed by Allen), Radio Days, Stardust Memories, Hannah and Her Sisters, A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy and Woody Allen's segment for The Concert for New York City.Roberts memorably portrayed the badgering Deputy Mayor Warren LaSalle in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. He also appeared in the Sidney Lumet films Serpico and Just Tell Me What You Want.TheaterRoberts' Broadway credits include Barefoot in the Park; How Now, Dow Jones; Murder at the Howard Johnson's; Promises, Promises; Sugar (the musical version of the movie Some Like It Hot); The Sisters Rosensweig; They're Playing Our Song; Victor/Victoria; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; and Cabaret. In May 2007, Roberts returned to Broadway in the roller-disco rock musical Xanadu.Television and radioOn television he has appeared on The Carol Burnett Show, Matlock, and Law & Order. On radio he was a regular performer on the CBS Radio Mystery Theater.
