Jason Nelson Robards (Hillsdale, Michigan, 31 de desembre de 1892 - Sherman Oaks, Los Angeles, 4 d’abril de 1963) va ser un actor de teatre i cinema nord-americà, i el pare de l'actor guanyador de l'Oscar Jason Robards Jr. Robards va aparèixer en moltes pel·lícules, inicialment com a protagonista, després en papers de personatges.

Famed American stage actor. Trained at the American Academy of Dramatic Art. Appeared in many films, initially as a leading man, then in character roles and occasional bits. Consistently billed as Jason Robards, as his more famous son, Jason Robards, did not come into fame until the end of the elder Robards' career. Only referred to as Jason Robards Sr. in retrospect. Died in 1963, having lived to see his namesake son and grandson (Jason Robards III) carry on the family acting tradition.