Robby Stewart

Fictional character from Hannah Montana

Robby Ray Stewart is a fictional character from the Disney Channel series Hannah Montana, portrayed by Billy Ray Cyrus. Robby is the widowed single father of Jackson Stewart (Jason Earles) and Miley Stewart (Miley Cyrus). He appears in all episodes in seasons 1 and 2, is absent for 3 episodes in season 3, and is absent for 1 episode in season 4. The character is based on Jed Clampett, the main character of The Beverly Hillbillies, even to the point of using Jed's famous catchphrase "Well doggies! "; the character’s name of “Robby Ray Stewart” is also a clear play on the portrayer’s real name.

Billy Ray Cyrus auditioned for the part along with two other actors. He was only asked to audition after his daughter Miley had been given the lead role. After he was offered the role, Billy Ray at first had reservations about accepting it, saying "The last thing I would want to do is screw up Miley's show." Miley admitted that it was "weird" at first having her real life father play the role of her television dad, but later described the situation as "really good." Billy Ray provided much of the inspiration for the character which largely became a fictionalised version of himself.

According to the Hannah Montana backstory, Robby was born on July 6, 1968 and grew up in fictional Bufford County, Tennessee. He has a large family with eight brothers and sisters. He has a twin brother named Bobby Ray (also played by Billy Ray Cyrus) and a brother named Earl who is seen in the episode (We're So Sorry) Uncle Earl, and often spoken of. His mother is Ruthie Ray Stewart (Vicki Lawrence), known to his children as "Mamaw." He has a close relationship with Dolly Parton who is the godmother of his two children; she is also the real life godmother of Miley Cyrus, who plays the starring role of Miley Stewart a. k. a. Hannah Montana. In his early years, Robby, using the stage name "Robby Ray," was a successful country music singer songwriter charting three number one hits and two top fives. He also won a music video of the year award and an International Music Award for artist of the year. He was also honored with a diamond on the Hollywood Parade of Diamonds (a parody of the Hollywood Walk of Fame) prestigiously located in front of Grauman's Chinese Theatre. After his wife Susan (Brooke Shields) died (April 12, 1969 – December 27, 2002), he retired from his career to look after his two children. He then works as her manager, producer, and primary songwriter. On a few rare occasions, he also performs on stage with Hannah. As Hannah's manager, Robby wears a fake moustache to hide his identity to keep Miley's secret and sometimes disguises his voice. This ruse, along with his sudden abandonment of his career, may have led one fan (Maddie Fitzpatrick's mother) to believe that he was dead. To those who are unfamiliar with his previous career, he is known simply as Mr. Montana. It seems that both aliases effectively conceal his identity as Mr. Stewart. In Hannah Montana: The Movie, he temporarily moves the family back to Tennessee. There he meets a woman named Lorelai (Melora Hardin) who becomes his love interest. He had previously dated real estate agent Margo Diamond and Lilly Truscott's mother Heather (Heather Locklear) in California.