Robert Sheehan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Robert Sheehan
Sheehan in 2017
Born	(1988-01-07) 7 January 1988 (age 37) Portlaoise, Laois, Ireland
Alma mater	Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2003–present

Robert Sheehan (born on January 7, 1988) is an actor from Ireland. He is famous for his roles in TV shows like Misfits (where he played Nathan Young) and The Umbrella Academy (as Klaus Hargreeves). Robert has also starred in movies such as Mortal Engines and The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

He has been nominated for several awards, including the Irish Film and Television Award and a British Academy Television Award. In 2020, The Irish Times newspaper named him one of Ireland's top film actors.

Robert Sheehan's Early Life

Robert Sheehan was born in Portlaoise, a town in County Laois, Ireland. He is the youngest of three children. His mother is Maria, and his father, Joe, was a police officer (called a garda in Ireland).

When he was in school, Robert enjoyed playing music. He could play the banjo, the bodhrán (a type of drum), and even the spoons! He also took part in traditional Irish music festivals called Fleadh Cheoil.

Robert went to St Paul's school for primary education in Portlaoise. For secondary school, he attended Ballyfin College. He wasn't sure if acting would be a steady job. So, he decided to study film and television at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology. However, he missed several months of classes to film a movie called Summer of the Flying Saucer. He didn't pass his first-year exams and chose not to retake them.

Robert Sheehan's Acting Career

Robert first became interested in acting in primary school. He played the character Oliver in a play called Oliver with a Twist. When he was 14, he tried out for a movie called Song for a Raggy Boy. He got the part and spent three months filming in Cork, Ireland. After that, he joined a local theatre group and acted in a play called The Cripple of Inishmaan.

At 16, Robert appeared in an Australian TV show called Foreign Exchange. He then had roles in other TV shows like The Clinic and The Tudors. He even played Louis XIV of France in a show called Young Blades. In 2008, he was in Rock Rivals and a TV drama called Bitter Sweet. He also appeared in films like Ghostwood.

Sheehan at the BAFTA Television Awards in May 2012

Breakthrough Roles in TV

After leaving college, Robert starred in the movie Cherrybomb in 2009. In March 2009, he played BJ in the Channel 4 TV series Red Riding. Robert felt this role was a big step up for him and helped change his career.

From 2009 to 2010, he played Nathan Young in the first two seasons of the British TV show Misfits. Nathan was a young person who had committed a crime. In April 2011, it was announced that Robert would not return for the third season. He felt a strong connection to the role and described it as "defining." In May 2011, he was nominated for a BAFTA Award for his work in Misfits.

Starting in 2010, Robert played Darren in Love/Hate, a show about gangs in Dublin. He liked the chance to work with the show's creators. He was in three seasons of the show. After he left, his character's famous blue hoodie was given to a theatre in Portlaoise. He was nominated for an Irish Film and Television Award for this role in 2011 and 2013. In 2011, Robert also played Kay in the movie Season of the Witch with Nicolas Cage.

Movies and Theatre Work

Robert was nominated for an Irish Film and Television Award for "Rising Star" in 2010. The next year, he starred in the movie Killing Bono. ..... In 2012, Robert appeared in the BBC crime show Accused.

He played Simon Lewis in the 2013 movie The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones. After that, he had roles in films like Anita B., The Road Within, Moonwalkers, and The Messenger between 2014 and 2015. In late 2015, he played Richard III in a play called The Wars of the Roses. This play was based on William Shakespeare's famous works. Robert has said that playing Richard III was his favorite role recently.

The movie The Song of Sway Lake was shown for the first time in 2017. Robert was very proud of his role in this film. In 2017, he also appeared in Geostorm and the second season of Fortitude. He was nominated for an Irish Film and Television Award for Fortitude. In 2018, he played Carlos Casagemas in Genius: Picasso. He also appeared as himself in The Young Offenders Christmas special. That year, he starred with David Tennant in Bad Samaritan. He was also in the film Mute and played the main character, Tom Natsworthy, in Mortal Engines.

Recent Projects

In 2019, Robert began starring in the Netflix show The Umbrella Academy. He plays Klaus Hargreeves, one of the main characters.

On October 15, 2021, Robert Sheehan released his first book. It is called Disappearing Act: A Host of Other Characters in 16 Short Stories.

In August 2022, he was chosen to play one of the main villains, Draygan, in the upcoming film Red Sonja.

In May 2024, Robert played Withnail in the first-ever stage version of Withnail and I at the Birmingham Repertory Theatre. In July 2024, he appeared in a play called Reunion at the Galway International Arts Festival.

Robert Sheehan's Personal Life

Robert Sheehan lives in West Cork, Ireland. He has also lived in London and Los Angeles.

He was in a relationship with actress Sofia Boutella from March 2014 until October 2018.

Robert Sheehan's Filmography

Film

Robert Sheehan at diff 2015

Television

Theatre

Robert Sheehan's Awards and Honours

Sheehan at the Minghella Film Festival, March 2011

In September 2013, University College Dublin's Literary and Historical Society honored Robert Sheehan. In October 2015, he received the Burke Medal from Trinity College Dublin. This award was for his contributions to discussion through the arts.