Profile Text
Birth Name: Roberts Scott Blossom
Date of Birth: March 25, 1924
Place of Birth: New Haven, Connecticut, U.S.
Date of Death: July 8, 2011
Place of Death: Santa Monica, California, U.S.
Ethnicity: English, some Scottish
Roberts Blossom was an American poet and actor. His film roles include Deranged , The Great Gatsby (1974), Handle with Care , Close Encounters of the Third Kind , Escape from Alcatraz , Resurrection (1980), Christine , Reuben, Reuben ; Flashpoint (1984), Vision Quest , The Last Temptation of Christ , Always (1989), Home Alone , Doc Hollywood , and The Quick and the Dead .
Roberts was the son of Beryl (Scott) and Capt. John Theodore Blossom, who was athletic director at Yale. He was raised partly in Cleveland, and Shaker Heights, Ohio. Roberts served in WWII in Europe. He was married to Marylin Orshan Blossom, until her death. Roberts had a son with his former wife, modern dancer, choreographer, and teacher Beverly Schmidt Blossom; and a daughter with Marylin.
Roberts’ paternal grandfather was Henry Sheldon/Shelden Blossom (the son of Henry C. Blossom and Emma Louise/Louisa Nash). Roberts’ grandfather Henry was born in Ohio. Emma was the daughter of E.S. Sheldon.
Roberts’ paternal grandmother was Leila Stocking (the daughter of Zalmon Stuart Stocking and Eliza A. Dudley). Leila was born in Ohio. Zalmon was the son of Sidney Stocking and Lovisa Tennant. Eliza was the daughter of Lyman Dudley and Susan Burnham.
Roberts’ maternal grandfather was named John Roberts Scott. John was born in Missouri.
Roberts’ maternal grandmother was Bessie/Elizabeth M. Miller (the daughter of Isaac/Isaak Newton Miller and Elvira/Alvira Anne Smith). Bessie was born in Missouri.
Sources: Genealogy of Roberts Blossom – https://www.findagrave.com
Roberts Blossom on the 1930 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Roberts’ parents on the 1920 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Roberts’ paternal great-grandmother, Emma Louise/Louisa (Nash) Blossom – https://www.familysearch.org
Roberts’ mother on the 1900 U.S. Census – https://www.familysearch.org
Death record of Roberts’ maternal grandmother, Bessie/Elizabeth M. (Miller) Scott – https://www.familysearch.org