Robert Shields performs in the Union Square area of San Francisco in the early 1970s. Shields is the subject of a documentary that’s part of the 2025 Chandler International Film Festival.
Robert Shields said he’s recognized in public often — but not always.
“Some people say ‘Yeah, I never heard of you, I don’t know what you do,” Shields told Independent Newsmedia in a Jan. 24 interview. “Others seem to know my whole career. A lot of the younger ones have seen me on YouTube.”
Shields, known primarily for his work with Lorene Yarnell as the mime and comedy duo Shields and Yarnell in the 1970s and 80s, was in town for the Chandler International Film Festival to promote “My Life as a Robot.”
The documentary about his life was directed by Marc Bonn and produced by Marc’s wife, Christine Bonn, with the trio traveling to festivals together.
The full-length documentary focuses on many aspects of Shields’ life, ranging from his beginnings performing in San Francisco’s Union Square to TV and movie appearances as Shields and Yarnell to more recent public appearances.
“My Life as a Robot” had a Jan. 25 showing at the Chandler festival that was preceded by a morning coffee-hour discussion.
“I run into a lot of people who want to study with me, want to ask me a lot of questions,” Shields said. “And I try to help them as much as I can.”
Trips to promote the film have included visits to many California and Arizona film festivals. Those include festivals in Sedona and Prescott, both of which are near Shields’ current home in Clarkdale, where the film won awards. Honors have come from across the U.S., including a festival in Vermont.
Shields, 73, said he hopes “My Life as a Robot” captures the life of someone who carved out a niche in entertainment that hadn’t existed before. He’s an artist now who creates paintings and other work, and at an art event in Hermosa Beach, Calif., years ago, met Marc and Christine.
The couple bought some of his art and later took one of their films to the Sedona Film Festival, with the trio soon discussing a documentary about Shields.
Lornene Yarnell, left, and Robert Shields pose with the “cast” of The Muppet Show that included them as guest stars for a November 1979 episode. Shields is the subject of a documentary that’s part of the 2025 Chandler International Film Festival.
Courtesy of Marc Bonn
“I knew I wanted these folks to make the film,” Shields said about the Bonns. “Other people had asked me, but it was like, ‘Nah, I went to high school with that guy’ or they simply weren’t as professional.”
More than a decade and some health setbacks later, “My Life as a Robot” finally came together.
Marc Bonn said the licensing, use rights and even locating some older footage and photos were all a great challenge. Just before an early showing of the film, he said, he was still on the phone with an attorney, asking what can be used and how.
In one case, he found a former manager of Shields who had film of Union Square street performances stored in a can in a garage in Oxnard, Calif.
Shields said the film has been better-received than he could have hoped, especially the comedy.
Christine Bonn said one thing she likes about the film is that it has many layers, covering many aspects of performing and of Shields’ life.
Marc Bonn said it was tough to weave together a coherent story that fits into a 1-hour, 27-minute documentary.
“We ended up with the problem of too much to put in,” he said. “We could have easily made a five-day film.”
Shields, one of the first performers to make the “robot” dance popular in the 70s, said he’s happy the physical comedy he knows and loves appears to still have life.
“At one of our sold-out shows, there was nonstop laughter in the audience,” Shields said. “Some people I know in Sedona have seen it three or four times. I’m so glad that kind of comedy holds up.”
Shields said he hasn’t studied younger performers to see what they do well. He mentioned Jim Carrey and Michael Jackson among those he admires for their performance skills.
“Michael was a great mover,” he said.
Shields said many young and/or beginning performers said him videos that indicate, to him, that they need feedback from more types of other performers.
“So many people put something out that isn’t ‘soup’ yet, and their friends tell them they’re wonderful, because their pals don’t want to say anything critical,” Shields said.
“I get so many videos from dancers doing moves, often poorly, and they need a lot of work. I worked on routines, in front of a mirror, five hours a day. I only knew I was good when Red Skelton told me I was good.”
The film ended up winning “Best Documentary Feature Film” at the Chandler festival. Bonn was nominated for best director.
Jason W. Brooks News Editor | Chandler Independent
Jason W. Brooks joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in July 2021 as an associate editor. After a year covering Buckeye, he has covered Chandler since the fall of 2022, in addition to assisting the Daily Independent throughout his time at INI.
Education: University of New Mexico, bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communication, print emphasis, English minor.
Random Fact: He and his siblings witnessed a Space Shuttle launch and landing in the same year in person, on opposite coasts.
Hobbies: Karaoke, bicycling and American Sign Language.
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