Quick Info
| Profession | Actor |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Scottish |
| Date of Birth | 14/04/1961 |
| Age | 65 years |
| Birthplace | Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland |
| Zodiac Sign | Aries |
Latest News about Robert Carlyle
19/02/2026
Robert Carlyle was cast as Detective Constable Shaun Massie, a guest lead, in series 7 of the BBC crime thriller Line of Duty. The series, created by Jed Mercurio, is set to air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, and filming was set to begin in spring 2026. The role places him alongside the returning cast in a new corruption storyline.
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Bio/Wiki
| Summary | Scottish actor known for Trainspotting, The Full Monty, Hamish Macbeth, Cracker, Stargate Universe and Once Upon a Time. Holds an OBE for services to drama. |
|---|---|
| Early Life | Born in Maryhill, Glasgow, to Elizabeth, a bus company employee, and Joseph Carlyle, a painter and decorator. His mother left when he was four, and he was raised by his father. |
| Breakthrough | Ken Loach's Riff-Raff (1991) was his first film. Trainspotting (1996) marked his international breakthrough. |
| Recent Activity | Cast as Detective Constable Shaun Massie in Line of Duty series 7, announced in February 2026. Online reports in 2026 claiming his death or retirement were hoaxes and false. |
Physical Stats & More
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
|---|---|
| Nickname | Bobby |
Educational Qualification(s)
| Institution | Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama |
|---|---|
| Other Training | Acting classes at the Glasgow Arts Centre, begun at age 21 |
Personal Life
| Marital Status | Married |
|---|---|
| Spouse | Anastasia Shirley |
| Marriage Date | 28/12/1997 |
| Children | 3 |
Relationships & More
| Spouse | Anastasia Shirley, a make-up artist he met on the set of Cracker |
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Family
| Father | Joseph Carlyle |
|---|---|
| Mother | Elizabeth Carlyle |
| Spouse | Anastasia Shirley |
| Children | 3 |
Career
| Debut Film | Riff-Raff (1991) |
|---|---|
| Theatre | Co-founded the Raindog Theatre Company in 1991 with four other actors |
| Television |
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| Film |
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| Awards |
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Favourites
| Album | Rain Dogs by Tom Waits |
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Some Lesser Known Facts
| 1. Left school at sixteen without qualifications and worked as a painter and decorator before studying acting. | |
| 2. Read Arthur Miller's The Crucible before enrolling in acting classes. | |
| 3. Named his theatre company Raindog after a Tom Waits album. | |
| 4. Appeared in the music video for the Oasis song Little by Little. | |
| 5. Played Adolf Hitler in Hitler: The Rise of Evil. | |
| 6. Is a supporter of Rangers Football Club. |
