Robert Carlyle
Birthday:
14 April 1961, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
Height:
170 cm
Robert Carlyle was born in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland, to Elizabeth, a bus company employee, and Joseph Carlyle, a painter and decorator. He was raised by his father after his mother left him when he was four. At the age of 21, after reading Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," he enrolled in acting classes at the Glasgow Arts Centre. In...
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Robert Carlyle was born in Maryhill, Glasgow, Scotland, to Elizabeth, a bus company employee, and Joseph Carlyle, a painter and decorator. He was raised by his father after his mother left him when he was four. At the age of 21, after reading Arthur Miller's "The Crucible," he enrolled in acting classes at the Glasgow Arts Centre. In 1991, together with four other actors, he founded the Raindog theatre company (named after Tom Waits' album "Rain Dog," one of Carlyle's favorites), a company dedicated to innovative work. Show less «
I hate that term, "Method". It's definitely been given to me over the years, but I don't know if it's true. My belief is that every actor's ...Show more »
I hate that term, "Method". It's definitely been given to me over the years, but I don't know if it's true. My belief is that every actor's got their own "method", and as long as it works, that's OK. Show less «
People like Jim Jarmusch or Spike Jonze make the kind of American cinema that really interests me. And working with them has, so far, been t...Show more »
People like Jim Jarmusch or Spike Jonze make the kind of American cinema that really interests me. And working with them has, so far, been the only thing I haven't been able to do. But other than that I'm perfectly happy with where I am. Show less «
I owe my father everything.
I owe my father everything.
Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I am a very patriotic guy, in terms of my Scottishness and my roots.
Anyone who knows anything about me knows that I am a very patriotic guy, in terms of my Scottishness and my roots.
I'd totally be attracted to a geek girl!
I'd totally be attracted to a geek girl!
I feel like I'm the luckiest man on the planet.
I feel like I'm the luckiest man on the planet.
Most of the time, you find that the smaller the budget, the more the project is about something substantive.
Most of the time, you find that the smaller the budget, the more the project is about something substantive.
I rant and rave about noise pollution.
I rant and rave about noise pollution.
My first love is art, and I see a lot of things in an artistic way.
My first love is art, and I see a lot of things in an artistic way.
I've really enjoyed my work in television, but the problem for me is the turnover of directors every week.
I've really enjoyed my work in television, but the problem for me is the turnover of directors every week.
I love sci-fi because it leads in the imagination, and I always say it has the most intelligent fans in the world.
I love sci-fi because it leads in the imagination, and I always say it has the most intelligent fans in the world.
Bullying is a terrible, terrible thing.
Bullying is a terrible, terrible thing.
I'm not someone who believes in wasting my vote.
I'm not someone who believes in wasting my vote.
I do tend to divide my childhood into darkness and light, and the first seven years were certainly the darkness.
I do tend to divide my childhood into darkness and light, and the first seven years were certainly the darkness.
The quality of TV drama nowadays is getting better and better. They've had to invent a new term for it: 'high-end television.'
The quality of TV drama nowadays is getting better and better. They've had to invent a new term for it: 'high-end television.'
Acting, the arts in general, is a magnet for the wounded of society.
Acting, the arts in general, is a magnet for the wounded of society.
Of course, I love chats with various actors about the process and how they do it. To me, if it's not on the camera, if it's not there, it's ...Show more »
Of course, I love chats with various actors about the process and how they do it. To me, if it's not on the camera, if it's not there, it's not worth it. It really just isn't worth it. Show less «
The first thing you should know about me is when I was three years old my mother left me and my father. And that was traumatic obviously for...Show more »
The first thing you should know about me is when I was three years old my mother left me and my father. And that was traumatic obviously for my father - he suffered a nervous breakdown at that time in his life. Show less «
A lot of Scots have settled in Canada over the years and it's a very easy place for Scots - they understand us, we understand them.
A lot of Scots have settled in Canada over the years and it's a very easy place for Scots - they understand us, we understand them.
There are a lot of things that make up a performance, a lot of technical things. It isn't always just about pulling it up from the darkest r...Show more »
There are a lot of things that make up a performance, a lot of technical things. It isn't always just about pulling it up from the darkest recesses of your mind or your heart. It's your experience and your observation. Show less «
Each performance and each film is what it is. It's right and belongs within that moment. You look at it and try to make it fit your particul...Show more »
Each performance and each film is what it is. It's right and belongs within that moment. You look at it and try to make it fit your particular part of your character and your particular film. Show less «
I loved cinema while growing up and, for the longest time, wanted to be a director.
I loved cinema while growing up and, for the longest time, wanted to be a director.
Guys, particularly in the West, go to the gym and train for hours and hours to pick up something that is heavier than them. Why would you wa...Show more »
Guys, particularly in the West, go to the gym and train for hours and hours to pick up something that is heavier than them. Why would you want to do that? Show less «
People in Scotland appreciate homegrown talent, but it's getting harder and harder to get films made in Britain.
People in Scotland appreciate homegrown talent, but it's getting harder and harder to get films made in Britain.
I've always taken my love of children from my father. He was a children magnet. Suddenly, having my first child hit home what my dad went th...Show more »
I've always taken my love of children from my father. He was a children magnet. Suddenly, having my first child hit home what my dad went through. Show less «
In troubled times the last thing you want to do is to stick your money into a film. It's such a gamble.
In troubled times the last thing you want to do is to stick your money into a film. It's such a gamble.
I never rehearse. Never! I think it's a waste of time.
I never rehearse. Never! I think it's a waste of time.
I used to be a rabid reader, but now it's scripts or nothing - network television is quite relentless, and you can't drop the ball.
I used to be a rabid reader, but now it's scripts or nothing - network television is quite relentless, and you can't drop the ball.
I never go anywhere without my iPod.
I never go anywhere without my iPod.
The more people know about an actor the less convincing they become. A bit of mystery's a good thing.
The more people know about an actor the less convincing they become. A bit of mystery's a good thing.
It depends who the director is you know, I mean Ken Loach for instance. I've done up to 32 takes with him.
It depends who the director is you know, I mean Ken Loach for instance. I've done up to 32 takes with him.
The darker the character, the more interesting.
The darker the character, the more interesting.
My wife was a make-up artist, and she's a total product junkie. Our bathroom is packed full of lotions and potions so I end up trying them o...Show more »
My wife was a make-up artist, and she's a total product junkie. Our bathroom is packed full of lotions and potions so I end up trying them out. Show less «
Acting is a really insular thing.
Acting is a really insular thing.
I'd work with Danny Boyle every day of the week. No matter what he was doing I would do that.
I'd work with Danny Boyle every day of the week. No matter what he was doing I would do that.
I think you should only wear jewellery if it has a story behind it.
I think you should only wear jewellery if it has a story behind it.
The thing I miss the most about Scotland is the football.
The thing I miss the most about Scotland is the football.
I often have scripts sent to me with allegedly Scottish characters where I end up telling them, 'You're going to have to rethink this whole ...Show more »
I often have scripts sent to me with allegedly Scottish characters where I end up telling them, 'You're going to have to rethink this whole thing!' Show less «
The U.K. and the U.S. are very different countries, and it really shows in the television.
The U.K. and the U.S. are very different countries, and it really shows in the television.
A lot of my work is with children and there's a reason for that, because they really level you.
A lot of my work is with children and there's a reason for that, because they really level you.
If there's anything you want to ask your parents, ask them before they go, because once they go, they're gone.
If there's anything you want to ask your parents, ask them before they go, because once they go, they're gone.
When I look back at it now, my past and the way I grew up, I grew up on communes.
When I look back at it now, my past and the way I grew up, I grew up on communes.
Acting is probably the greatest therapy in the world. You can get a lot stuff out of you on the set so you don't have to take it home with y...Show more »
Acting is probably the greatest therapy in the world. You can get a lot stuff out of you on the set so you don't have to take it home with you at night. It's the stuff between the lines, the empty space between those lines which is interesting. Show less «
I hate the word 'hippy.'
I hate the word 'hippy.'
Hunger's a great spur.
Hunger's a great spur.
I don't take a great deal of interest in party politics. Social politics interests me a great deal more.
I don't take a great deal of interest in party politics. Social politics interests me a great deal more.
I just don't like the whole Hollywood thing.
I just don't like the whole Hollywood thing.
Biologically, I'm lucky - an angular face and dark coloring which shows up well on camera.
Biologically, I'm lucky - an angular face and dark coloring which shows up well on camera.
I'd love to do a Columbo-type detective character in a series.
I'd love to do a Columbo-type detective character in a series.
It took a long time for me to accept I was an actor, a professional actor, and that, actually, I make a living out of this.
It took a long time for me to accept I was an actor, a professional actor, and that, actually, I make a living out of this.
In the late '70s, maybe just before I started, there was still an attitude that if you did film you didn't do TV and vice versa, but that's ...Show more »
In the late '70s, maybe just before I started, there was still an attitude that if you did film you didn't do TV and vice versa, but that's gone now. Show less «
I was 16 when I was in a band, for about 10 minutes. I went off and did acting after that. So it was a wee moment for me when I sang.
I was 16 when I was in a band, for about 10 minutes. I went off and did acting after that. So it was a wee moment for me when I sang.
I'd love to play some kind of fop.
I'd love to play some kind of fop.
My dad was rubbish at all other aspects of his financial life, but he's pretty good at paying the rent.
My dad was rubbish at all other aspects of his financial life, but he's pretty good at paying the rent.
Anyone that knows me knows what I'm about, and I'm very much a British actor, a European actor.
Anyone that knows me knows what I'm about, and I'm very much a British actor, a European actor.
People go to the movies to watch a film and all they're thinking about is the actress's cellulite they saw in a magazine.
People go to the movies to watch a film and all they're thinking about is the actress's cellulite they saw in a magazine.
To be honest I don't think I was any great shakes as a theatre actor because everything I was doing was really small in size - intimate.
To be honest I don't think I was any great shakes as a theatre actor because everything I was doing was really small in size - intimate.
Vancouver's a very child friendly city, there's... no doubt about that.
Vancouver's a very child friendly city, there's... no doubt about that.
I like to be working and moving - the worst thing you can do to me is stick me in a room all day while you're lighting a shot. That just kil...Show more »
I like to be working and moving - the worst thing you can do to me is stick me in a room all day while you're lighting a shot. That just kills me. Show less «
The script will point you in certain directions and I go the opposite if I can. I try to do one thing and tell a different story with my eye...Show more »
The script will point you in certain directions and I go the opposite if I can. I try to do one thing and tell a different story with my eyes. I believe what's more interesting is always what's not being said. Show less «
I think I have a natural, if I can say that, got a kind of natural ability in comedy.
I think I have a natural, if I can say that, got a kind of natural ability in comedy.
A lot of the characters I play have problems, they are marginalized, they have serious psychological problems, problems with relationships, ...Show more »
A lot of the characters I play have problems, they are marginalized, they have serious psychological problems, problems with relationships, with childhood. These are big subjects, big subjects. You can't balk at work like that. As an actor, that's as good as it gets. Show less «
I want to keep audiences off balance, so they don't know who I am or how to take me. If I duck and weave, as Frank Bruno might say, I'll hav...Show more »
I want to keep audiences off balance, so they don't know who I am or how to take me. If I duck and weave, as Frank Bruno might say, I'll have a longer shelf life. Show less «
To pursue a career in Hollywood you have to have a personality bypass. Look at the top 20 stars in the world - there's probably only two act...Show more »
To pursue a career in Hollywood you have to have a personality bypass. Look at the top 20 stars in the world - there's probably only two actors among them. Hollywood's not about you as an actor. It's about your currency, what you 'bring to the table'. And I've never been one to jump through hoops for anyone. Show less «
I'm in four different films this year, and I have four different accents. I sound different in every film. You have to love a character to p...Show more »
I'm in four different films this year, and I have four different accents. I sound different in every film. You have to love a character to play it well, and change in my work is what I want. Show less «
On his wife: We met in Cracker. I played a maniac fan who murders a policeman and she did my makeup. I thought anyone interested in me looki...Show more »
On his wife: We met in Cracker. I played a maniac fan who murders a policeman and she did my makeup. I thought anyone interested in me looking like that must have genuinely liked me. Show less «
I have a reputation for being an improvisational actor, which is true, but I also know what I'm doing so that if the improvisational strand ...Show more »
I have a reputation for being an improvisational actor, which is true, but I also know what I'm doing so that if the improvisational strand doesn't work I can go back to what I know is already there. Show less «
Every actor I think has got their own number of takes that they like, you know. Some actors like to go all day, you know on the one scene an...Show more »
Every actor I think has got their own number of takes that they like, you know. Some actors like to go all day, you know on the one scene and some actors want to take two takes. I personally like four. Show less «
Although people always cite that role as an example of my dark side, I'm not so sure. Really, Trainspotting is a black comedy and in many wa...Show more »
Although people always cite that role as an example of my dark side, I'm not so sure. Really, Trainspotting is a black comedy and in many ways Begbie's the funniest one in it. Show less «
On his father: Back in the Sixties, when I was growing up, the notion of a one-parent family - especially of a single father - didn't really...Show more »
On his father: Back in the Sixties, when I was growing up, the notion of a one-parent family - especially of a single father - didn't really exist. And for him to have walked that road and lived that life and still managed to raise me and love me as he did, was just incredible. Show less «
On filming in his native Glasgow: At times it was incredibly emotional. Very close to the bone. It affected me in ways that I hadn't bargain...Show more »
On filming in his native Glasgow: At times it was incredibly emotional. Very close to the bone. It affected me in ways that I hadn't bargained for when I agreed to do it. Show less «
The backdrop of my childhood seemed to be the back streets, the dark alleys and the rainy streets of those cities. I know every beat and rhy...Show more »
The backdrop of my childhood seemed to be the back streets, the dark alleys and the rainy streets of those cities. I know every beat and rhythm of that life, which could be another reason for why I'm drawn often to dark gritty roles and why I wanted to show the gritty side of Glasgow in my movie. It's a landscape I know. Show less «
One of the odd and the weird things about filming was the number of people who came up and said, 'I knew your auntie', or 'I'm your cousin o...Show more »
One of the odd and the weird things about filming was the number of people who came up and said, 'I knew your auntie', or 'I'm your cousin on your mother's side'. And I didn't know these people existed, because I only ever knew my father's side of the family. Show less «
On making The Full Monty: I thought it was a load of fucking pish, to be honest.
On making The Full Monty: I thought it was a load of fucking pish, to be honest.
Robert Carlyle's Photos
Daffy
Begbie
Gaz
Father MacAvoy
Durza
Felix DeSouza
Malachy
Col. Ives
Don
Victor 'Renard' Zokas
Rumpelstiltskin
Dr. Nicholas Rush
