Robert Robertson | |
---|---|
Born |
St. Andrews,
Fife, Scotland | 3 July 1930
Died | 17 January 2001
Perth, Scotland | (aged 70)
Occupation(s) | actor, artistic director |
Robert Robertson (3 July 1930 – 17 January 2001) was a British actor and director, born in Scotland. [1] He was best known for playing Doctor Stephen Andrews in the television show Taggart. [1]
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 Dicken's 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]