Robert Carlyle was born in April 14, 1961 in Maryhill, Glasgow. Carlyle was abandoned by his mother at the age of four and raised by his father, Joseph. At the age of 21, being inspired by Arthur Miller's "The Crucible", he joined in acting classes at the Glasgow Arts Centre.

In 1991, together with four other actors, he founded the Raindog theatre company, a company dedicated to innovative work.

His first role was as a psychotic murderer in an episode of Cracker, but was soon playing a more sympathetic role, that of Highland policeman, Hamish Macbeth, in the eponymous BBC comedy-drama.

Other memorable roles are the villain Renard in the James Bond film The World Is Not Enough, a cannibalistic Mexican-American War soldier in Ravenous, the gay lover of Father Greg in Priest and Adolf Hitler in Hitler: The Rise of Evil.

Recently, Robert has played the part of Durza the Shade in Eragon.

Filmography

• The Meat Trade (2007)
• "The Last Enemy" (2007)
• 28 Weeks Later... (2007)
• Flood (2006)
• Eragon (2006)
• Born Equal (2006) (TV)
• Human Trafficking (2005) (TV)
• Class of '76 (2005) (TV)
• The Mighty Celt (2005) (TV)
• Marilyn Hotchkiss Ballroom Dancing & Charm School (2005)
• Gunpowder, Treason & Plot (2004) (TV)
• Dead Fish (2004)
• Hitler: The Rise of Evil (2003) (TV)
• Black and White (2002)
• Once Upon a Time in the Midlands (2002)
• The 51st State (2001)
• To End All Wars (2001)
• There's Only One Jimmy Grimble (2000)
• The Beach (2000)
• Angela's Ashes (1999)
• The World Is Not Enough (1999)
• Ravenous (1999)
• Plunkett & Macleane (1999)
• Looking After Jo Jo (1998) (TV)
• Face (1997)
• The Full Monty (1997)
• "Hamish Macbeth" (20 episodes, 1995-1997)
• Carla's Song (1996)
• Trainspotting (1996)
• Go Now (1995)
• "Cracker" (1 episode, 1994)
• Priest (1994)
• "99-1" (1994) TV Series
• Marooned (1994)
• Safe (1993) (TV)
• Being Human (1993)
• Tender Blue Eyes (1992)
• "The Bill" (1 episode, 1991)
• "Taggart" (1 episode, 1990)
• Silent Scream (1990)
• Riff-Raff (1990)

Awards

• BAFTA Award Best Actor "The Full Monty" 1997
• Evening Standard Film Award Best Actor "The Full Monty" 1997
• The Actor Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Theatrical Motion Picture "The Full Monty" 1997
• Scottish BAFTA Award Best Television Actor "Hamish Macbeth" and "Cracker: To Be a Somebody" 1995