 Robert Harrison grew up and went to school in Greenock, Scotland in the 60’s. With a keen interest in music from an early age he lists Pink Floyd as one of his favourite artists and a big influence in his music career. Robert joined his 1st band, Tut Ka Mun in the early 80’s. Tut Ka Mun toured Scotland throughout the 80’s before splitting up. However, Robert gained a lot of experience and found himself in studios such as; Park Lane, Riverside and Sava Studios where he bumped into the likes of Texas, Gun, Del Amitri and Wet Wet Wet.
He moved on by trying out with various bands to find the right one for him. Eventually he came to a band called, The Promise. He stayed with them throughout the 90’s. In ’98 they wrote and recorded a song that was entered to be the Official song for Scotland in the World Cup. Craig Brown loved the song and hoped it would be picked, To help pay the bills Robert worked as a Swimming pool manager at Wemyss Bay Holiday Park. He was required to become a qualified lifeguard for this job, which was perfect for Robert who was an avid swimmer. To maintain the pool he had to use Sub Aqua Equipment. Roberts journey into acting is as lucky as any mans. One day he received a phone call from the researcher, Pamela Marshall, for a film being produced by Parallax Pictures (now Sixteen Films). They were looking for someone to play the part of a grand dad in their film and their search had not been going well. Robert was asked to help them as he was a man of many contacts. Four days later he got back to them with a man whom they auditioned and found was perfect for the part.
Robert went on to work on various TV productions including stints on Rockface, Taggart, Monarch of The Glen as well as a role in The Planman starring Robbie Coltrane. His recent productions have seen him cast as Kenny in short film, Trawler, by Digi-Cult and the villainous henchman, Aspirin, in Scottish Sci-Fi short Night is Day by Silly Wee Films. He will be seen later in the year as a Terrorist on a Channel 5 game show called Commando VIP. May 2005 |
but it was Del Amitiri’s “Don’t Come Home Too Soon” that won it. The song is still sitting, waiting for the next time Scotland makes it to the world cup.
Pleased with the result they asked if he could help them out with a few other things and he was happy to help. Ken Loach, the director of the movie Sweet Sixteen, wanted to meet with him. Robert was unaware of the scale of the film but was happy to meet with director Ken Loach, whom he had not heard of before. They chatted about the film and he did a little improvisation scene for the director. Ken then offered him the part of a gangster in the film. After Sweet Sixteen many doors were opened for Robert thanks to Ken, Rebecca O’Brien and Paul Laverty.
His feature film work has included Dear Frankie starring Gerard Butler, historical movie Man to Man, starring Joseph Fiennes and Kristin Scott Thomas, which he loved as it was a chance for him to travel back to 1860. In Cape Karma he was the 1st Scotsman to be cast as a henchman in a Bollywood film.