Rob Rackstraw
Biography
Robert Rob Rackstraw, born October 31, 1965, in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, is a British voice actor and writer. Known as one of the United Kingdom leading male voice actors with a career spanning over 15 years, he has worked across various animated films, television shows, and video games. He is perhaps best known for his voice work in the television series Bob the Builder, notably voicing the scarecrow Spud. His other prominent voice roles include the main villain Pew in The Legends of Treasure Island and Captain Campion in Watership Down. Additionally, Rackstraw has contributed as a writer, penning episodes for Avenger Penguins and Fantomcat, and is associated with projects such as Hilda and Lavender Castle.
Career overview
Robert Rob Rackstraw is an English voice actor born on October 31, 1965, in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England. He has built a career working in various animated films, television shows, and video games. Rackstraw is perhaps best known for his various voices in the television series Bob the Builder, where he mainly voiced the scarecrow Spud. With an extensive voice-over career spanning over fifteen years, he is considered to be one of the leading male voice actors in the United Kingdom.
In addition to his work on Bob the Builder, Rackstraw has lent his voice to other television projects. He played the main villain Pew in The Legends of Treasure Island and Captain Campion in Watership Down. His filmography and television credits also include appearances in works such as Hilda, Fantomcat, and Lavender Castle.
Alongside his prominent voice acting career, Rackstraw has contributed to television series behind the scenes as a writer. He wrote episodes for the shows Avenger Penguins and Fantomcat. His extensive involvement across television and animation as both a voice performer and a writer has established his presence in the industry.
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Career timeline
Full Filmography
75 titles- Piggy Builders (2025) as Wilf / Brian / Reg / Fred (voice)
- 7 Bears (2025) as The King (voice)
- Tricky & The Cereal Killers (2025) as Tricky
- The Octonauts & the Great Summer Adventure (2023) as Kwazii (voice)
- The Discarded (2023) as Cat (voice)
- The Creature Cases (2022) as (voice)
- Octonauts & the Ring of Fire (2021) as Kwazii (voice)
- Milo (2021) as Dad (voice)
- Elliott from Earth (2021)
- Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth (2020) as Crowd Voice (voice)
- Octonauts and the Great Barrier Reef (2020) as Kwazii (Voice)
- Octonauts and the Caves of Sac Actun (2020) as Kwazii (Voice)
- Thomas & Friends: Steam Team to the Rescue (2020) as James / Flynn / Big Mickey (voice)
- Thomas & Friends: Big World! Big Adventures! The Movie (2018) as James / The Thin Clergyman / African Race Announcer (voice)
- Thomas & Friends: Journey Beyond Sodor (2017) as James / Toby / Troublesome Trucks (voice)
- Thomas & Friends: The Great Race (2016) as Various (voice)
- Thomas & Friends: Tinsel on the Tracks (2016) as Donald / The Bird Watcher / Douglas' Driver (voice)
- Octonauts - 15 Underwater Adventures (2016) as Kwazii
- Messy goes to OKIDO (2015) as (voice)
- Thomas & Friends: Sodor's Legend of the Lost Treasure: The Movie (2015) as Toby (voice)
- Thomas & Friends: Whale of a Tale and Other Sodor Adventures (2015) as James / Stanley / Passengers (voice)
- Thomas & Friends: Thomas' Christmas Carol (2015) as James (voice)
- Thomas & Friends: Tales on the Rails (2015) as James (voice)
- Bob the Builder: Hammer Time (2013) as Spud / Mr. Bernard Bentley
- Bob the Builder: Teamwork Time (2012) as Spud / Mr. Bentley / Grabber
- Bob the Builder: Build It and They Will Come (2012)
- The Amazing World of Gumball (2011) as Mr. Gruber (voice)
- Pet Squad (2011) as (voice)
- Verne on Vacation (2011) as Horace / Gaston (voice)
- Bob the Builder: The Big Dino Dig (2011) as Spud (voice)
- Octonauts (2010)
- Bob the Builder: The Golden Hammer (2010) as Scoop / Muck / Travis / Spud / Mr. Bentley / Packer / Splasher (voice)
- Dennis & Gnasher (2009)
- Chop Socky Chooks (2008) as Chuckie
- The Space Place (2008) as Narrator
- Bob the Builder: Race to the Finish (2008) as Spud / Mr. Bentley / Grabber (voice)
- Bob the Builder: On Site - Houses & Playgrounds (2008) as Roley
- Robin Hood: Quest for the King (2007) as (Voice)
- Thomas & Friends on the Big Screen (2007) as Mr. Bentley (voice)
- Bob the Builder: Scrambler to the Rescue (2007) as Spud / Mr. Bentley
- The Secret Show (2006) as Professor Professor (voice)
- Bob the Builder: Built to be Wild (2006) as Spud / Mr. Bentley / Rusty Rogers / Dollar / Brandy (voice)
- Outback Christmas (2005) as Buster / George / Sammy
- The Adventures of Renny the Fox (2005) as Rufus (voice)
- Bob the Builder: Bob's Big Plan (2005) as Spud (US & UK), Mr. Bentley (US & UK), Scoop (UK), Muck (UK)
- Bob The Builder: Scoop's Favorite Adventures (2004)
- Bob the Builder: Bob Saves the Day! (2004)
- The Koala Brothers (2003)
- Yoko! Jakamoko! Toto! (2003) as Toto
- Bob the Builder: The Knights of Can-A-Lot (2003) as Scoop / Muck / Roley / Spud / Mr. Beasley / Mr. Bentley (voice)
- Angelina Ballerina (2001) as Uncle Louis / Grandpa Mouseling (voice)
- Doctor Otter (2001) as Dr. Otter (voice)
- Bob the Builder: A Christmas to Remember - The Movie (2001) as Various (voice)
- Bob the Builder (1999) as Scoop / Muck / Travis / Spud (voice)
- Lavender Castle (1999)
- Lavender Castle (1999) as Roger/Isambard
- Lavender Castle (1999) as Roger / Isambard (voice)
- Sooty Heights (1999) as Butch
- Watership Down (1999) as Raincloud / Granite (voice)
- Watership Down (1999) as Campion / Captain Holly / Hickory (voice)
- The Foxbusters (1999) as Voracious / Attila / Farmer Farmer (voice)
- Gogs: Gogwana (1998)
- Wyrd Sisters (1997) as Duke Felmet (voice)
- Soul Music (1997)
- Pond Life (1996)
- Fantomcat (1995)
- Friendly Monsters: A Monster Holiday (1994)
- Friendly Monsters: A Monster Christmas (1994) as (voice)
- Friendly Monsters: A Monster Easter (1994)
- Avenger Penguins (1993)
- Avenger Penguins (1993) Writer
- Gogs (1993)
- Zit: The Video (1993) as (voices)
- Thomas & Friends (1984) as James / Toby (voice)
- Thomas & Friends (1984) as James (voice)
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Rob Rackstraw best known for?
Rob Rackstraw is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Piggy Builders (2025), The Creature Cases (2022), Octonauts & the Ring of Fire (2021), Valmont (1989).
When and where was Rob Rackstraw born?
Rob Rackstraw was born on October 31, 1965 in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, UK.
How many credits does Rob Rackstraw have?
Rob Rackstraw has accumulated over 75 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1984 to 2025.
What is Rob Rackstraw's background in cinema and television?
Robert Rob Rackstraw, born October 31, 1965, in Sunderland, Tyne and Wear, England, is a British voice actor and writer. Known as one of the United Kingdom leading male voice actors with a career spanning over 15 years, he has worked across various animated films, television shows, and video games. He is perhaps best k...