Robert Robertson (actor)
Scottish actor
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Robert Robertson (3 July 1930 – 17 January 2001) was a Scottish actor and theatre director.[1] He was best known for playing Doctor Stephen Andrews in the television show Taggart.[1]
Robert Robertson | |
|---|---|
| Born | 3 July 1930 St. Andrews, Fife, Scotland |
| Died | 17 January 2001 (aged 70) Perth, Scotland |
| Occupations | actor, artistic director |
Biography
Robertson was born in St Andrews, Fife.[2] His acting career started with the Manchester Repertory Theatre shortly after World War II.[3][4] He moved to London appearing in a variety of roles most notably as Dr Grimwig in Oliver!, Lionel Bart's acclaimed Dickens musical, at the New Theatre.[2] Robertson also wrote and performed his own one-man show, Your Humble Servant, at the Open Space Theatre, London.[2]
In 1973 Robertson returned to Scotland to perform in Dundee and stayed.[4] He acted and directed with the Dundee Repertory Theatre, serving as the company's artistic director from 1976 to 1992.[2][5] On stage he played Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman and Frank in Educating Rita.[2] He directed The Importance of Being Earnest, The Tempest and The Cherry Orchard.[2] Robertson also oversaw the move to a new purpose-built theatre in the centre of Dundee.[2]
In 1983 he was cast in the three-part pilot of Taggart as Dr Stephen Andrews.[4] The show became an international success and Robertson became famous for his role as the pathologist.[4] He appeared in 51 episodes of the show.[4]
Other notable television appearances include The Ambassadors of Death, a Doctor Who serial in 1970 and the role of Palanguez in the BBC's The Day of the Triffids.[2] On the big screen Robertson appeared in the 1996 film Breaking the Waves, directed by Lars von Trier.[2]
Robertson died on 17 January 2001, at the age of 70, after suffering a heart attack while reading a Robert Burns poem, Holy Willie's Prayer, on stage in Perth.[4] He was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed shortly afterwards to heart failure (cardiovascular disease).[2]