Cliff Robertson Dies at 88

Actor Cliff Robertson, who won an Oscar for his portrayal of a mentally disabled man in the movie “Charly”, died of natural causes Saturday afternoon in Stony Brook, a day after his 88th birthday, according to Evelyn Christel, his secretary of 53 years.

Critic Roger Ebert called Robertson’s portrayal on Charly “a sensitive, believable one.” The motion picture academy agreed.

Robertson’s funeral is set for Friday in East Hampton.