Robert Sheehan is an Irish actor who is recognized for his TV roles in ‘Misfits‘ and ‘Love/Hate.’ He had a strong interest in music as a child and has always been artistically inclined. He made his acting debut with the film ‘Song for a Raggy Boy.’ His work as a series regular for his debut TV series ‘Foreign Exchange‘ earned him a reputation in the industry and paved his way forward to stardom. With his exceptional performances in the series ‘Red Riding,’ ‘Misfits,‘ ‘Love/Hate,’ and ‘The Borrowers,‘ he escalated his way up to become one of the radiant young stars of Hollywood. His filmography boasts of a few significant roles, which helped him prove himself as a notable actor. With his roles in several successful films such as ‘Killing Bono,’ ‘The Messenger,’ and ‘Three Summers,’ he has shown his worth as a big-screen actor too. He has been chosen for the ‘Best Supporting Actor award by the ‘British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA ) and has won the Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) award for his supporting role in ‘Love/Hate.’
Childhood & Early Life of Robert Sheehan
Robert Sheehan was born on January 7, 1988, in Country Laois, Ireland. His father served in the local police force. Robert Sheehan was the youngest of the three children in his family. He was a spoiled child and was never forced to do anything he did not want to do. Thus, when he began showing inclination in music, he was free to go as he desired. He played several musical instruments in schools, such as the banjo and the bodhrán.
Having grown a keen artistic sensibility even before starting his teenage years, he started acting in school plays. His most heartfelt acting experience in school was that of playing the role of ‘Oliver‘ in ‘Oliver with a Twist.’
He did not know the struggle it took to become a film star as an unconventional and confident kid. He performed in many auditions as a teenager, accompanied by his mother. He surprised his family by being chosen for a role in the film ‘Song for a Raggy Boy.’ He displayed immense self-confidence while portraying his character in the film.
He then played the role of a disabled person in the play ‘Cripple of Innishmaan.’ Once out of high school, he determined to acquire a professional degree in performing arts. He registered at the ‘Galway–Mayo Institute of Technology at the age of 17 but did not like being an artist’s theoretical perspectives. After failing in his first year at the institute, he dropped out.
His mother was concerned about him but did not stop supporting him and accompanying him to auditions. She became his manager, and this helped raise his confidence. Around the mid-2000s, he started receiving a lot of roles, and it was just a matter of time before he made his big debut.
The career of Robert Sheehan
In 2004, he auditioned for a significant role in the series’ Foreign Exchange’ and bagged the role. This was the first important role of his career. He played a college kid with a sharp mind and appeared in all the episodes of the series, which ran for a complete season.
He then played the role of ‘King Louis XIV’ in the historical drama series ‘Young Blades.’ He became a regular series and earned enormous popularity with the audiences. The blend of his innocent screen presence and extraordinary acting talent proved to be working in his favor.
Robert then did small stints for the series ‘The Clinic,’ and ‘Bel’s Boys’ among others, during the 2000s. His role as ‘Liam’ in the two-part comedy-drama ‘Bitter Sweet’ was especially noteworthy and helped Robert bag the first breakthrough role of his career.
In March 2009, he performed alongside renowned actors Sean Bean and Andrew Garfield in ‘Red Riding,’ a dark adaptation of the popular fairytale quartet written by David Peace. This got him further publication.
In 2009, ‘Cherrybomb,’ a UK drama film, featured Robert in his first preeminent role in a major motion picture. The film represented two friends, played by Robert and Rupert Grint, spending a weekend battling each other to win a pretty girl’s attention.
Around the same time, Robert performed in the supernatural thriller series ‘Misfits,’ which told the story of a few small-time goons who received superpowers after being struck by lightning. Robert played a regular role in the series in its first two seasons. It earned him a ‘BAFTA’ nomination for the ‘Best Supporting Actor in 2011 for his powerful portrayal of a young petty offender. In late 2010, he ventured into another career-defining stint with his major role in the four-part drama ‘Love/Hate.’ The series, directed by David Caffrey, one of Robert’s personal favorites, garnered excellent ratings. Robert’s performance too received immense accolades. The series earned him a nomination for an ‘IFTA’ award for his performance in the lead role, but he won the honor for the ‘Actor in a Supporting Role’ instead of the same award function.
In 2011, Robert made a firm appearance in the American film ‘Season of the Witch,’ and in the same year, he performed the role of ‘Ivan’ in the Irish comedy ‘Killing Bono.’ The film was a loose portrayal of the life of Irish rocker Ivan McCormick and became a successful venture for Robert.
In the same year, Robert did a theatrical stint in ‘The Playboy of the Western World.’ In 2013, Robert performed another leading role in the film ‘City of Bones,’ which was a film adaptation of the 2007 novel of the same name. Critics appreciated the film and so was Robert’s performance as ‘Simon Lewis,’ a musician.
In 2012, he became a series regular in the comedy series ‘Me and Mrs. Jones,’ which had him playing ‘Billy Delaney,’ one of the numerous love interests of the titular character. He then performed in significant roles in films such as ‘Moonwalkers,’ ‘Geostorm,’ and ‘The Road Within.’
Award of Robert Sheehan
Robert has won several honors for his immense contribution to the art of acting. In October 2015, he became the recipient of the ‘Burke Medal for Contribution to Discourse through the Arts’ from the ‘College Historical Society’ of the prestigious ‘Trinity College.’
Personal Life
Although Robert Sheehan is a faithful man at present, he has dated quite many women from the entertainment industry. His past relationship with actress Taylor Kranzle had become hot news for the media, but the couple separated ways soon after.
Robert then started dating French actor Sofia Boutella, and their relationship is still going powerful. In his free time, Robert likes to travel and spend his time with his friends at home. He also likes to cook occasionally.
Personal Quotes
- There are instances where, in my mid to late 20s, I very often found myself going for roles that they didn’t want to cast me in, because I’d done good work but in a producer’s eyes, I wasn’t high enough status. So I lost out. But seeing another person in that role makes it less depressing, because you know that at least it’s done well, like Robert Pattinson in The Rover.
- I think books, novels and autobiographies have a power to touch people far more personally than films do, so there’s a bit more of a responsibility when you then dramatise it.
- If you see a gaggle of teenagers walking towards you, you tend not to make eye contact, because you know they’re going to recognise you. You learn to adapt: 99.999 per cent of people aren’t looking to be harmful or unpleasant; they just want something, a photograph or an autograph.
- I never aspired to be in a band, but being onstage is a very cool feeling. It’s like you’re the lord of the room. It’s hard to croon and run around doing big scissor kicks while also trying to play, though. I’m still mastering that.
- I’ve been largely undecided about everything for most of my life. I can barely commit to a phone bill… Somewhere along the line it has become my career due to continuing work.
- What’s lovely about what I do for a living is the vast chasm of variety that constantly just comes at you from all angles.
We hope this article will bring joy to the fans of Robert Sheehan that gives them a complete knowledge of their favorite star.
