Robert James-Collier Biography

Fast Facts

• Was nominated for a TV Quick Award for Best Soap Actor for "Coronation Street" in 2008
• Won three British Soap Awards, two for Sexiest Male and one for Best Exit, for "Coronation Street" in 2007, 2008, and 2009
• Won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for "Downton Abbey" in 2013, and was nominated for another in 2014
• Won a TV Guide Award for Favorite Feud for "Downton Abbey" in 2013, which he shared with Siobhan Finneran
• Studied Business at Huddersfield University and Marketing at the University of Manchester's Institute of Science and Technology
• Worked as a bricklayer and factory worker before becoming a model and actor
• Quote: "(On "Downton Abbey"): "I've been to parliament in England․ We went to the opening ceremony of the Olympics․․․I've swam with Great White sharks․․․I just want to say thank you to everyone who watched and tuned in and loved my evil gayness․""
• Quote: "(On his "Downton Abbey" character being gay): "He's not ashamed․․․There's a great line․․․where he says to Mr․ Carson, 'I am not foul; I am not like you, but I am not foul․' And he says it with such dignity․․․[it's an] extremely modern attitude․""
• Best known for his role as Thomas Barrow in "Downton Abbey" and as Liam Connor in "Coronation Street․"