John Robinson on AllMovie

From role to role, actor John Robinson exuded an all-American presence and look that made him a shoe-in for portrayals of average, well-rounded young men, but he also projected a subtly haunting quality that lent him perfectly to material with a slight edge. On that note, Robinson is arguably best known for his contributions to Gus Van Sant's explosive 2003 drama Elephant -- the tale of a high school massacre inspired by Columbine -- where he played John, a genial and responsible young man burdened by an alcoholic father. (In fact, Van Sant and co. displayed the blonde-haired Robinson's face very prominently on the film's posters). Robinson grew up in Lake Oswego, OR, and experienced his first brush with show business thanks to Van Sant, who discovered him and recruited him for

said part. The young actor scored an equally memorable follow-up via a collaboration with director Catherine Hardwicke playing legendary daredevil skateboarder Stacy Peralta in the period drama Lords of Dogtown (2005), and enjoyed small turns in the Pierce Brosnan western Seraphim Falls and the effects-heavy sci-fi action saga Transformers. In 2008, Robinson teamed up with director Kelly Reichardt and star Michelle Williams for a supporting role in the gentle slice-of-life drama Wendy and Lucy.