Biografia
Robert Harrison grew up and attended school in Greenock, Scotland during the 1960s. From an early age, he had a strong passion for music, citing Pink Floyd as one of his favorite artists and a major influence on his musical journey. In the early 1980s, Robert joined his first band, Tut Ka Mun, which toured Scotland throughout the decade before disbanding. During this time, he gained valuable experience and worked in studios such as Park Lane, Riverside, and Sava Studios, where he encountered bands like Texas, Gun, Del Amitri, and Wet Wet Wet. He then experimented with various bands until he found the right fit with The Promise, with whom he stayed throughout the 1990s. In 1998, they wrote and recorded a song submitted to be Scotland’s official World Cup anthem. Although Craig Brown admired the song and hoped it would be selected, Del Amitri’s “Don’t Come Home Too Soon” was ultimately chosen. The song remains ready for the next time Scotland qualifies for the World Cup.
To support himself financially, Robert worked as a swimming pool manager at Wemyss Bay Holiday Park. The job required him to become a certified lifeguard, which suited him well as an avid swimmer. Maintaining the pool involved using scuba equipment.
Robert’s entry into acting came about through a fortunate opportunity. He received a call from researcher Pamela Marshall of Parallax Pictures (now Sixteen Films), who was seeking someone to play a grandfather in a film. Their search had been difficult, so they asked Robert for help due to his extensive contacts. Four days later, he recommended a man who auditioned and was perfect for the role.
Impressed, the production team asked for further assistance, and Robert was glad to help. Director Ken Loach, known for the film Sweet Sixteen (2002), wanted to meet him. Although unfamiliar with Loach’s work, Robert agreed to meet and discussed the film. He performed a brief improvisation scene, after which Ken offered him the role of a gangster in the movie. Following Sweet Sixteen, Robert’s career expanded thanks to connections with Ken, Rebecca O'Brien, and Paul Laverty.
Robert subsequently appeared in various television productions, including Rockface (2002), Taggart (1983), Monarch of the Glen (2000), and had a role in The Planman (2003) alongside Robbie Coltrane. His film credits include Dear Frankie (2004) with Gerard Butler and the historical drama Man to Man (2005), starring Joseph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas, which he particularly enjoyed as it allowed him to step back into the 1860s. In Cape Karma, he became the first Scotsman cast as a henchman in a Bollywood film.
More recently, Robert was cast as Kenny in the short film Trawler by Digi-Cult and played the villainous henchman Aspirin in the Scottish sci-fi short Night is Day by Silly Wee Films. Later this year, he will appear as a terrorist on the Channel 5 game show Commando VIP.
