Ann Robinson, stuntwoman and cult sci-fi legend, dies at 96; death revealed eight months later

Ann Robinson was a famed stunt woman who later turned to acting. She was best known for her role as Sylvia in the famed cult classic ‘The War Of The Worlds’ (1953). She was 96 years old when she passed away.The Hollywood Reporter announced her death, revealing the veteran star passed away on September 26, 2025, 8 months ago. She was in her Los Angeles home when she passed away. The news was confirmed in a statement made by her granddaughter, Tori Bravo.The actress was born on May 25, 1929, and around the 1950s, she starred in a large number of science fiction films. She started her career in Hollywood as a stunt woman but later found her calling as an actress.Her role in ‘The War Of The Worlds’ was heavily praised as the film was considered ahead of its time. She played Sylvia, a librarian caught in the middle of an alien attack from Mars. In addition to the global acclaim, the film won an Oscar for Best Visual Effects. The film gained significant recognition and was preserved for the National Film Registry in 2011 for its cultural significance.In 2005, she reprised her role as Sylvia in Steven Spielberg’s ‘War Of The Worlds,’ this time as Dr Sylvia. Some of her other notable work includes portraying Nancy in ‘Dragnet’ (1954) and Lois Shelton in ‘The Glass Web’ (1953).At the time of writing, no other details about her passing were shared.