Editing Robbie Robertson (section)

===''Carny''===
After the release of ''The Last Waltz'', MGM/UA, who released the film, viewed Robertson as a potential film actor, and provided Robertson with an office on the MGM lot.<ref name=rs_rr_intv_1987/><ref name="rs_young_hawks_1978">{{cite magazine|last1=Palmer|first1=Robert|author-link1=Robert Palmer (American writer)|date=June 1, 1978|title=A Portrait of the Band as Young Hawks: Rolling Stone's 1978 Feature on 'The Last Waltz'|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/a-portrait-of-the-band-as-young-hawks-rolling-stones-1978-feature-on-the-last-waltz-20110329|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media LLC|publication-date=June 1, 1978|issue=266|access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> During this time, Martin Scorsese's agent, Harry Ulfand, contacted Robertson about the idea of producing a [[Drama (modern genre)|dramatic film]] about [[traveling carnival]]s, which Robertson was drawn to because of his childhood experiences working in carnivals. The screenplay for the film ''[[Carny (1980 film)|Carny]]'' was directed by documentary filmmaker [[Robert Kaylor]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/11/25/archives/yesterdays-rock-stars-try-for-a-future-in-film-rock-stars-go-to.html|title=Yesterday's Rock Stars Try for a Future in Film (Published 1979)|work=The New York Times |date=November 25, 1979 |last1=Palmer |first1=Robert }}</ref>

Although Robertson was initially only intended to be the producer of ''Carny'', he ended up becoming the third lead actor in the film, playing the role of Patch, the patch man. [[Gary Busey]] played "Frankie", the carnival [[clown|bozo]] and Patch's best friend. [[Jodie Foster]] was selected to play the role of Donna, a small town girl who runs away to join the carnival and threatens to come between the two friends. The film cast real life [[Carny|carnies]] alongside professional film actors, which created a difficult atmosphere on set.<ref name=carny_ost_notes/><ref name="rs_carny_1980">{{cite magazine|last1=Flippo|first1=Chet|author-link1=Chet Flippo|date=June 26, 1980|title=Interview: Robbie Robertson|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/news/robbie-robertson-19800626|magazine=Rolling Stone|publisher=Wenner Media LLC|publication-date=June 26, 1980|issue=320|access-date=June 22, 2016}}</ref> ''Carny'' opened to theaters on June 13, 1980.<ref name="nyt_6-13-80">{{cite news|author=Canby, Vincent|title=Screen: Jodie Foster in 'Carny'|newspaper=The New York Times|date=June 13, 1980|page=C8}}</ref> Also in 1980, [[Warner Bros]] released a [[soundtrack album]] for ''Carny'', which is co-credited to Robertson and composer [[Alex North]], who wrote the orchestral score for the film. The soundtrack was re-released on compact disc by Real Gone Music in 2015.<ref name=carny_ost_notes/>