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1-13 of 13
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Robbie Coltrane, one of Britain's most popular comedians who was head of debating society at school and won prizes for his art, is now a film star who played in two James Bond films and in the "Harry Potter" franchise.
Coltrane was born Anthony Robert McMillan on March 30, 1950, in Rutherglen, a suburb of Glasgow, Scotland, UK. His mother, Jean Ross (Howie), was a teacher and pianist. His father, Ian Baxter McMillan, was a general surgeon who also worked for police pathology. Young Robbie was fond of art, music, films and cars. He was a voracious reader of his dad's books on medicine and crime. At age 12 he made his acting debut on stage at Glenalmond College, delivering rants from "Henry V". At that time he was fascinated with Marlon Brando and Orson Welles.
He attended Glasgow Art School, majoring in drawing, painting and film, then studied art at Edinburgh's Moray House College of Education for a year. In 1973 he made a documentary titled "Young Mental Health", which was voted Film Of The Year by the Scottish Education Council. At that time Robbie took the name Coltrane, due to his love of jazz, and began a career of a stand-up comedian at night clubs, at the Edinburgh Festival, as well as an actor with Edinburgh's renowned Traverse Theatre.
In 1980 Coltrane made his debut on television as "Border Guard" in BBC's mini-series The Lost Tribe (1980), then made his big screen debut as a limousine driver in Death Watch (1980). In 1981 he appeared in his first leading role as Detective Fritz Langley in Subway Riders (1981), by famed underground director Amos Poe.
He became a well-known face through appearances in The Comic Strip series, then in Alfresco (1983) and Comic Strip movies The Supergrass (1985) and The Pope Must Diet (1991), among other films. At that time Coltrane had a drinking problem, downing as much as a bottle of whiskey a day. In 1986 he flew to a clinic in Mexico and was treated for obesity. In 1987 his partner for 15 years, Robin Paine, left him for good, leaving her portrait in Coltrane's barn.
In 1988 Coltrane met then 18-year-old Rhona Gemmell in a pub. They married and had a son, Spencer, and a daughter, Alice. His career took off during the early 1990s with the leading role as Dr. Eddie "Fitz" Fitzgerald, a forensic psychologist, in the popular TV series Cracker (1993).
He made such a good performance as Valentin Zukovsky, a KGB man turned St. Petersburg mafia lord, in GoldenEye (1995) the producers called him back for the same character in The World Is Not Enough (1999). Then Coltrane hit another lucrative franchise; he was personally selected by J.K. Rowling as her choice to play half-giant Rubeus Hagrid in the 'Harry Potter' films.
In early 1990s Coltrane wrote an autobiography, "Coltrane in a Cadillac", and also starred in the eponymous TV series, Coltrane in a Cadillac (1993), in which he indulges his passion for vintage cars and tells with great humor about his 4000-mile journey across America from Los Angeles to New York. In 2003 he separated from his wife. His interests outside of his acting profession had been reading books, and rebuilding and collecting vintage cars. Robbie Coltrane resided in a converted farmhouse in Stirlingshire, Scotland, UK.- Actor
- Writer
Darren spent the first half of his life in Scotland and immigrated to Australia at age 12. Always having a propensity for acting, he would quite often fake illnesses to avoid school. One class he would never miss, however, was Drama. His continued love of the arts sees him studying with the likes of Warner Loughlin and Larry Moss. Darren's career spans three continents and he can currently be seen on TV shows in the UK, Australia and America.
His career started at MTV, where he both hosted and acted in shows that he helped create. His first adventure into prime time, network television, came as the host of the quirky and irreverent game show 'Minute To Win It' in Australia; a show that would later catapult his career into the UK, when he was asked to host the local version for ITV. Darren's quick wit and sharp comedic timing, made him a perfect fit to host BBC1's Saturday night, live show 'The Magicians'. His breakout role in America was on NBC's prime-time 'Love in the Wild.' McMullen has also been host of 'The Voice' and 'The Voice Kids' in Australia over five seasons with coaches such as Ricky Martin, Seal, Kylie Minogue, Keith Urban, Mel B and Will.I.Am.
In 2014, McMullen joined the star-studded cast of House Husbands, one of Australia's top rating dramas. Darren plays the much-loved character 'Alex Larden', who has explored some very topical issues on the show, including gay marriage and surrogacy.
In his National Geographic show 'Darren McMullen's Outsiders' we see Darren traveling the world to meet some very interesting characters; from time-traveling Italians (The Damanhur), to Alien worshipers (The Raelians). We see some very different sides to Darren, as he fully immerses himself into the lives of the weird and wondering sub cultures he explores.
Darren currently lives in Los Angeles and is putting the finishing touches on two screenplays, romantic comedy 'The Rebound Guy' and drama 'Fade To Black'.- Actress
- Soundtrack
She made her stage debut at the Floral Hall in Scarborough with Jack Hylton. Strongly associated with comedy and impersonations she played her first straight part in 'Mr Gillie' at London's Garrick Theatre with Alastair Sim and George Cole and also appeared with them in 'The Bargain' at London's St Martin's Theatre. She lived in a 300 year old cottage in the heart of Sussex.- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Writer
Dave Anderson was born on 1 August 1945 in Rutherglen, Scotland, UK. He is an actor and writer, known for Local Hero (1983), Doctor Who (1963) and The Avengers (1961). He is married to Christina Anderson.- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Charles Gormley was born on 19 December 1937 in Rutherglen, Scotland, UK. He was a writer and director, known for The Gospel According to Vic (1986), Living Apart Together (1982) and My Nights with Susan, Olga, Albert, Julie, Piet & Sandra (1975). He died on 22 September 2005 in Glasgow, Scotland, UK.- Actor
- Music Department
- Writer
George Logan was born on 7 July 1944 in Rutherglen, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He was an actor and writer, known for Dear Ladies (1983), Dawson and Friends (1977) and At Home with Dr Evadne Hinge and Dame Hilda Bracket (1977). He was married to Louie Perone. He died on 21 May 2023.- Aiden McGeady was born in Rutherglen, Scotland, UK.
- Charles Jamieson was born on 12 March 1952 in Rutherglen, Scotland, UK. He is an actor, known for The Angels' Share (2012), The Omega Factor (1979) and Blake's 7 (1978).
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Kathryn Wilson was born on 18 May 1997 in Rutherglen. She is a producer, known for The Assembly (2024) and Sex Rated (2023).- Tom McGrath was born on 23 October 1940 in Rutherglen, Scotland, UK. He was a writer, known for Play for Tomorrow (1982), The Museum and the Fury (1956) and Independence (1976). He was married to Maureen Herron. He died on 29 April 2009 in Kingskettle, Fife, Scotland, UK.
- Visual Effects
Andi Ramsay was born on 29 October 1981 in Rutherglen, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. He is known for Void (2013) and The Underwater Realm (2012).- George Rafferty was born on 3 March 1926 in Rutherglen, Glasgow.
- Jonny Biggin was born on 6 June 1989 in Rutherglen, Glasgow, Scotland, UK.