Robby Robinson (born May 24, 1946) is an American former professional bodybuilder. Known early in his career as Robin Robinson, he is also known as The Black Prince and Mr Lifestyle. He won various competitions including Mr America, IFBB Mr. World, Mr Universe, Masters Olympia, and other titles of the International Federation of BodyBuilding & Fitness (IFBB), and appeared in several films (including the landmark docudrama Pumping Iron) over a 27-year career as a professional bodybuilder, retiring from competition in 2001 at the age of 55.
Robinson was born in Damascus, Georgia, and raised in Tallahassee, Florida. His mother was illiterate, and his father was a bootlegger who later abandoned his 14 children. Robinson attended Florida A&M University, where he competed in both football and track & field. While training for those sports he noticed his body’s great responsiveness to weight training, which motivated him to enter his first bodybuilding competition. After competing in more than 300 amateur competitions, Robinson turned professional in 1975. By that year he was married with three children.
In his first year as a professional in 1975, he won the IFBB Mr America, Mr World and Mr Universe titles. He went on to win many IFBB contests, including the first annual Night of the Champions in 1979 as well as the first Masters Olympia in 1994. He was the Masters Olympia overall champion the first year that the event was held in 1994 and won the 50+ division at the same contest in 1997 and 2000.
Robinson appeared as himself in the 1977 part-scripted, part-documentary film on bodybuilding Pumping Iron. He also appeared in a 1989 TV documentary, in the 1997 documentary Stand Tall, and (uncredited) in the 1976 film comedy Stay Hungry.
After a 27-year career Robinson retired from professional bodybuilding at the age 55 but has remained active in various ways, including as a personal trainer, lifestyle and bodybuilding coach, athlete, artist, and actor, promoting bodybuilding and longevity through proper training, nutrition and healthy habits. As a published author and writer, Robinson’s book tells the story of how Robby Robinson overcame the limitations of his time to become one of the greatest bodybuilders the world has known; and legend in the sport of bodybuilding. His book can be found at major retailers such as Barnes and Noble, Google Play Books and Amazon.com. Since his retirement in 2001, Robby has opposed steroid use in bodybuilding, saying that “it’s taking away from the beauty of bodybuilding, the artistry of it.”
In 2016, aged 70, Robinson continued to make guest posing appearances and maintains a very well developed physique.