Amy Robinson

Amy Robinson (born April 13, 1948 in Trenton, New Jersey) is an American actress and film producer whose career spans more than four decades, beginning in the early 1970s and continuing into the twenty‑first century. She first gained public attention when she was cast as Teresa, the female lead opposite Harvey Keitel, in Martin Scorsese’s gritty debut feature Mean Streets (1973), a role that showcased her natural on‑screen charisma and earned her recognition among New Hollywood’s rising talents. Despite the promise of her acting debut, Robinson grew increasingly dissatisfied with the limited and stereotypical roles offered to women in the industry, prompting her to pivot toward behind‑the‑scenes work where she could exercise greater creative control. She co‑founded Double Play Productions with actor Griffin Dunne, and together they secured a two‑year development agreement with Metro‑Goldwyn‑Mayer in 1986, a testament to their emerging influence as independent producers. Robinson’s producing résumé quickly expanded to include critically acclaimed titles such as After Hours (1985), another Scorsese collaboration that cemented her reputation for nurturing auteur‑driven projects, and the Academy‑Award‑winning drama Running on Empty (1988). Throughout the 1990s she continued to balance commercial and artistic ventures, overseeing films like White Palace (1990), Once Around (1991), and With Honors (1994), each reflecting her keen eye for character‑centric storytelling. In the new millennium she produced successful adaptations such as Julie & Julia (2009), demonstrating her ability to translate literary works to the big screen with both charm and culinary flair. Beyond her production work, Robinson served on the dramatic jury at the 1987 Sundance Film Festival, lending her expertise to the discovery of emerging independent talent. Her career, marked by versatility and a relentless commitment to quality cinema, has left an indelible imprint on both independent and mainstream American film.