Robert Lindsay
About
Biography
Filmography
Family & Companions
Biography
This dark-haired, pleasant-faced British actor is equally at home in musical comedy or drama. Often cast as working-class blokes, Robert Lindsay made a splash on both sides of the Atlantic in the mid-1980s starring in the revival of "Me and My Girl." The RADA-trained actor had already become known to his countrymen as the pub-bound, would-be revolutionary Wolfie Smith in the British sitcom "Citizen Smith" (BBC, 1977-80).
In 1970, shortly after completing his training, Lindsay debuted as Jesus in a London production of "Godspell." He alternated between TV and stage, joining the Royal Exchange Theatre Company in the late 70s, where he earned attention for playing "Hamlet" in 1983. Starring opposite Emma Thompson, he earned raves as the Cockney chap who proves to be of royal blood in "Me and My Girl." Thompson was not allowed to recreate her stage role in the USA (Maryann Plunkett inherited the part) but Lindsay was, earning numerous accolades including a Best Musical Actor Tony Award. Subsequent stage roles have included heralded portrayals of Henry II in "Becket" in 1991 and Fagin in a revival of "Oliver!" in 1996.
Before he landed his breakthrough stage role, Lindsay worked often on British TV. He was among the members of the RAF in the 1950s in the Thames TV sitcom "Get Some In!" (1975-78) before landing the role of "Citizen Smith." He perfected his Cockney accent as a pool hall denizen alongside Paul McGann in "Give Us a Break" (1983) before landing more prestigious parts like Edmund to Laurence Olivier's "King Lear" in 1984. Lindsay delivered a brilliant performance as a KGB saboteur posing as a priest in "Confessional" (Granada TV, 1990) and received a BAFTA Award as a ruthless politician in "GBH" (BBC, 1991). Lindsay also won much attention as a former SS officer being tormented by the ghost of a Jewish comedian (Antony Sher) killed in a concentration camp in "Gengis Cohn" (1993; aired in the USA on A&E).
Lindsay's film appearances have been rare. His talents were supposed to be showcased as a coal miner with showbiz aspirations in Carl Reiner's "Bert Rigby, You're a Fool" (1989), but the film did almost no box office. "Strike It Rich" (1990), an inferior remake of 1956's "Loser Takes All," teamed the actor with Molly Ringwald in a tale of a honeymooner in Monte Carlo who supposedly perfects a system for winning at roulette. More recently, he was among the zookeepers fighting for their jobs in the uneven "Fierce Creatures" and a smooth-talking businessman who revisits an old love in the comedy "Remember Me" (both 1997). Lindsay then co-starred with Julie Walters (who had played his mother in "GBH"!) as a married couple trying to change their fortunes by offering strip shows at their dingy pub in "Brazen Hussies" (lensed 1997).
Filmography
Cast (Feature Film)
Cast (Special)
Cast (TV Mini-Series)
Life Events
1970
Began career after leaving RADA
1973
Film debut in "That'll Be the Day"
1975
Had featured role in the Thames TV sitcom "Get Some In!", set in the 1950s
1983
Co-starred with Paul McGann in the comedy-drama "Give Us a Break" (BBC)
1984
Played Edmund in "King Lear" for TV
1989
Played title role in film "Bert Rigby, You're a Fool"
1990
Starred in TV film "Confessional" (Granada TV)
1991
Starred as a manipulating local politician on British TV in "GBH"
1992
Narrated "Lifeforce", a documentary that aired in the USA on The Discovery Channel
1993
Co-starred with Antony Sher and Diana Rigg in "Genghis Cohn"
1997
Had supporting role as a zookeeper in "Fierce Creatures"
1998
Portrayed another politician in the Brisith film "Divorcing Jack"
1998
Starred as "Richard III" at the Royal Shakespeare Company
1998
Had featured role as a captain in the TV adaptations of the "Horatio Hornblower" novels
1999
Played Fagin in British TV adaptation of "Oliver Twist"
Family
Companions
