Robson Green

Infobox actor
name = Robson Green


imagesize =
caption =
birthname =
birthdate = birth date and age|1964|12|18|df=y
location = Hexham, Northumberland, England
deathdate =
deathplace =
occupation = actor
yearsactive =
homepage =
academyawards =
emmyawards =
tonyawards =

Robson Golightly Green (born December 18, 1964 in Hexham, Northumberland) is an English actor and singer-songwriter.

Biography

Robson Golightly Green was born in Hexham, and named in Northeast tradition as first son after family surnames: Robson is his grandmother's maiden surname, while Golightly is after William Golightly, a famous trade union leader in the 1920s.

Green grew up in Dudley, a small mining village in North Tyneside, where his father worked down the coal mining pits. After being inspired by over-flying jets, he decided he wanted to join the Royal Air Force. On starting secondary school, he joined the Air Training Corps [cite web|url=http://www.aircadets.org/famous.html|title=Famous Air Cadets|publisher=Aircadets.org|accessdate=2006-10-28] , and also picked up a guitar for the first time, later forming his first band "Solid State" in 1982. Latterly he also spent one night a week at Backworth Drama Centre, and then played in a series of productions at both school and Backworth.

On leaving school at 17, and deciding against the RAF, he joined Swan Hunters ship yard as a draughtsman, and on one occasion tried his hand at professional boxing. After two years at Swan's, he decided on a career in acting, and after auditioning began training under the tutelage of artistic director Max Roberts - his director previously at Backworth. During his training he continued his musical career, forming successful local band "The Workie Tickets". By 1988 he had started his screen career, featured in [http://www.amber-online.com/html/shields_stories.html Shields Stories] a series of short stories made by Amber Films.

Green first made his name as an actor in the BBC series "Casualty", but after three series moved to national prominence as Fusilier Dave Tucker in the drama series "Soldier Soldier".

One episode in 1995 called for Green and co-star Jerome Flynn to sing "Unchained Melody". Subsequently ITV was inundated by people looking to buy the song, and the pair were persuaded by Simon Cowell to release it as a single - a double A-side with White Cliffs of Dover. It stayed at No.1 for 7 weeks in UK Chart, selling more than 1.9 million copies and making it the best-selling single of the year, and winning the duo the Music Week Awards in 1996 for best single and best album. Subsequently they had two further #1 singles and two #1 albums, all re-makes of standards [cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/breakfast/2539249.stm|title=Robson Green live on Breakfast|publisher=BBC.co.uk|accessdate=2006-10-28] .

The song gave Green the opportunity to sign a long term deal with ITV, and star in several of the networks dramas, including "Touching Evil", "Grafters" and "Reckless". In 1996, he set up an independent production company, Coastal Productions, with business partner Sandra Jobling to give youngsters from the North East the opportunities he struggled for. The company has since produced or co-produced most of Green's television work, as well as local productions at the Theatre Royal in Newcastle upon Tyne. In 2002, Green starred as a forensic psychologist in the crime drama "Wire in the Blood".

His production company has brought four new dramas to the small screen in the last 2 years, including the massive ratings hit "Christmas Lights" (also named "Northern Lights", and later "City Lights"), which had viewing figures of nearly 12 million. Coastal also produces drama series, including "Hereafter" starring then showbiz couple Stephen Tompkinson and Dervla Kirwancite web|url=http://www.uktv.co.uk/?uktv=standarditem.index&aID=527924|title=Profile:Robson Green|publisher|uktv.co.uk|accessdate=2006-10-28] .

In July 1998, Green received an Honorary Degree from the University of Northumbria, and in September 2006, he was voted by the general public as number 35 in a poll of TV's Greatest Stars.

In 2005, Green starred in a miniseries, Rocket Man, playing a widower trying to build a rocket to send his dead wife's ashes into space.

Personal life

Green met occupational therapist Alison Ogilvie when he was introduced to her by his then close friend television director Andrew Gunn. They married on 22 June, 1991, but separated after eight years. He then met former model Vanya Seager while recording "Unchained Melody" at BMG Records. Green divorced Ogilvie in 1999, and had a son, Taylor Robson (born 2000), with Seager. The couple married in 2001 at Cliveden House in Buckinghamshire after a family celebration in Mauritius, making Green stepfather to Vanya's daughter Lara. The family now live in Surrey and in Northamptonshire

ee also

*Robson & Jerome

References

External links

* Official Website: [http://www.robsongreen.com The Robson Green Web Site]
*imdb name|id=0338292|name=Robson Green