Robert Powell
Biography
Robert Powell is an English actor who was born on June 1, 1944, in Salford, Manchester, England, United Kingdom. He has a known credits count of 104 in acting. He started his acting career in 1964 while attending Manchester University and made his film debut in 1967. His career includes a first starring role in The Italian Job in 1969, as well as appearances in Ken Russell's Mahler in 1974 and Tommy in 1975, Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus of Nazareth in 1977, the remake of The Thirty Nine Steps in 1978, the television series Doomwatch in 1970, and Imperative in 1982. He married Barbara Babs Lord on August 29, 1975, and they have a son and a daughter. In 1982, he won the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival for his performance in Imperative.
Career overview
English actor Robert Powell was born on June 1, 1944, in Salford, Manchester, England, United Kingdom. He began his acting career in 1964 while attending Manchester University. In 1967, he made his film debut and subsequently secured his first starring role in The Italian Job in 1969.
Throughout his career, Powell has appeared in numerous well known films and television series. His notable movie credits include Ken Russell's Mahler in 1974 and Tommy in 1975, Franco Zeffirelli's Jesus of Nazareth in 1977, and the remake of The Thirty Nine Steps in 1978. On television, he appeared in the popular series Doomwatch in 1970. In 1982, Powell won the Best Actor award at the Venice Film Festival for his performance in the film Imperative.
His extensive career in the entertainment industry spans over a hundred known credits in acting on film and television.
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Frequent co-stars
Career timeline
Full Filmography
107 titles- The Resurrection of Christ (2026)
- The Queen of Heaven (2026) as Jesus / Nikodemus
- Mike Yarwood: Thank You For The Laughs (2023) as Self
- Franco Zeffirelli: Directing from Life (2018) as Himself
- The Real Jesus of Nazareth (2017) as Host
- Tales of Television Centre (2012) as Self
- Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (2011) as Self - Participant
- Hitler's bodyguard (2010) Creator
- International Terrorism Since 1945 (2009) as Narrator (voice)
- World War II in Colour (2009) as Narrator
- The Cult of Doomwatch (2006)
- Colour Me Kubrick (2005) as Robert
- Churchill's Bodyguard (2005) as Self - Narrator (voice)
- Napoleon 1812 - The Road to Moscow (2005) as Narrator
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Dr. Haydock
- Great SAS Missions (2004) as Narrator
- The Queen's Lost Uncle (2003) as Narrator
- Seven Games from Glory (2002) as Narrator
- Holby City (1999) as Mark Williams
- The Second World War in Color (1999) as Narrator (voice)
- Treasure Island (1997) as Dr. Livesey
- Pride of Africa (1997) as David Webb
- Bulletproof (1996) Stunt Double
- Fantomcat (1995) as Fantomcat
- The Detectives (1993) as Dave Briggs
- Great Crimes and Trials (1993)
- The Legends of Treasure Island (1993) as Dr. Livesey (voice)
- The Century of Warfare (1993)
- The Legends of Treasure Island (1993) as Dr Livesey (voice)
- The Mystery of Edwin Drood (1993)
- The Battle of Trafalgar: Nelson's Victory (1993) as Narrator
- Titanic - The Story (1993) as Narrator (voice)
- Chunuk Bair (1992) as Sgt. Maj. Frank Smith
- The Golden Years (1992)
- The First Circle (1992) as Gleb Nershin
- The Boer War: 1899-1902 (1992) as Narrator
- Das lange Gespräch mit dem Vogel (1992) as John Barth
- The English Civil Wars (1992) as Narrator
- Il segno del comando (1992) as Prof. Edward Foster
- Pebble Mill (1991) as Self
- Merlin of the Crystal Cave (1991) as Ambrosius
- Keeping Up Appearances (1990) as Cabbie
- Romeo.Juliet (1990) as Romeo (voice)
- Canned Carrott (1990)
- Hannay (1988) as Richard Hannay
- Down There in the Jungle (1988) as Kruger
- Love Sins (1987) as Gabriele D'Annunzio
- Shaka Zulu (1986) as Dr. Henry Fynn
- Classic Ghost Stories (1986) as Professor
- Classic Ghost Stories (1986) as Professor
- Frankenstein (1984) as Victor Frankenstein
- What Waits Below (1984) as Rupert 'Wolf' Wolfsen
- The Wandering Company (1984) as Narrator (voice)
- Natural World (1983) as Narrator
- The Jigsaw Man (1983) as Jamie Fraser
- Countdown (1982)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1982) as Phoebus
- Imperative (1982) as Augustin
- Celebrity Playhouse (1981) as Professor Henry Higgins
- Pygmalion (1981) as Higgins
- The Survivor (1981) as Keller
- Walkabout to Hollywood (1980) as Narrator (voice)
- Harlequin (1980) as Gregory Wolfe
- Jane Austen in Manhattan (1980) as Pierre
- An Audience with... (1978) as Self
- The Thirty Nine Steps (1978) as Richard Hannay
- The Four Feathers (1978) as Jack Durrance
- Jesus of Nazareth (1977) as Jesus
- Beyond Good and Evil (1977) as Paul Rée
- Tommy (1975) as Captain Walker
- Looking for Clancy (1975) as Frank Clancy
- Zodiac (1974) as Brian Godfrey
- Mahler (1974) as Gustav Mahler
- Death to Sister Mary (1974) as Rook
- Thriller (1973) as Paul Tanner
- Thriller (1973) as Rook
- All Systems Go: Alan Garner (1973) as Himself
- Lady Killer (1973) as Paul Tanner
- Crown Court (1972) as Lance Porter
- The Edwardians (1972) as Charles Stewart Rolls
- Asylum (1972) as Dr. Martin
- Mrs. Warren's Profession (1972) as Frank Gardner
- The Asphyx (1972) as Giles Cunningham
- Running Scared (1972) as Tom Betancourt
- Shelley (1972) as Percy Bysshe Shelley
- Film '72 (1971) as Self
- Stage 2 (1971) as Frank Gardner
- Jude the Obscure (1971) as Jude Fawley
- Secrets (1971) as Allan Wood
- Doomwatch (1970) as Tobias Wren
- Sentimental Education (1970) as Frederic Moreau
- Season of the Witch (1970) as Shaun
- The Hunting of Lionel Crane (1970) as Lionel Crane
- The Italian Job (1969) as Yellow
- Walk a Crooked Path (1969)
- Tower of London: The Innocent (1969) as Earl of Warwick
- Bam! Pow! Zap! (1969) as Arkie
- City '68 (1967) as Paul Pevney
- Robbery (1967) as Deltic Train Guard (uncredited)
- The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1966)
- BBC Play of the Month (1965)
- BBC Play of the Month (1965) as Valentine
- Thirty-Minute Theatre (1965) as Martin
- The Wednesday Play (1964) as Arkie
- The Wednesday Play (1964) as Shaun
- The Wednesday Play (1964) as Lionel Crane
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Phoebus
Frequently Asked Questions
What movies or TV shows is Robert Powell best known for?
Robert Powell is widely recognized for notable roles and projects including Celebrity Antiques Road Trip (2011), World War II in Colour (2009), Agatha Christie's Marple (2004), El Club de la Comedia (1999).
When and where was Robert Powell born?
Robert Powell was born on June 1, 1944 in Salford, Manchester, England, UK.
How many credits does Robert Powell have?
Robert Powell has accumulated over 107 film and television credits across a career spanning from 1951 to 2026.
What is Robert Powell's background in cinema and television?
Robert Powell is an English actor who was born on June 1, 1944, in Salford, Manchester, England, United Kingdom. He has a known credits count of 104 in acting. He started his acting career in 1964 while attending Manchester University and made his film debut in 1967. His career includes a first starring role in The Ita...
Robert Powell by the numbers
Age in their best-rated roles
- Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951) as Phoebus — aged about 7
- The Legends of Treasure Island (1993) as Dr. Livesey (voice) — aged about 49
- Agatha Christie's Marple (2004) as Dr. Haydock — aged about 60
- Jesus of Nazareth (1977) as Jesus — aged about 33
- Keeping Up Appearances (1990) as Cabbie — aged about 46
- World War II in Colour (2009) as Narrator — aged about 65
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