Richard Madden Bio
Richard Madden (born 18 June 1986) is a Scottish actor known for his roles in both television and film. He first garnered widespread attention for his portrayal of Robb Stark in HBO’s Game of Thrones. He is also known for his work in the fantasy film Cinderella and the acclaimed BBC series Bodyguard, winning a Golden Globe Award for his performance. With a career spanning over two decades, Madden has become a prominent figure in contemporary cinema and television.
Early Life and Background
Richard Madden was born on 18 June 1986 in Elderslie, Renfrewshire, Scotland, where he grew up alongside his two sisters. His mother is a primary school teacher, and his father worked as a firefighter. At age 11, Madden joined PACE Youth Theatre to help overcome his shyness. At that same age, he was cast in his first role as young Andy in a film adaptation of Iain Banks’ Complicity, which was released in 2000. He later played the lead role of Sebastian in the children’s television series Barmy Aunt Boomerang, which aired from 1999 until 2000. In addition to being shy, Madden struggled with body insecurities as a child and experienced bullying, especially in high school, which he attributed to his role in Complicity. Madden attended Castlehead High School and studied at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, graduating in 2007.
Path to Hollywood
During his studies, Madden worked with The Arches and the Glasgow Repertory Company, performing in various plays. He received positive reviews for his performance in Franz Xaver Kroetz’s play Tom Fool at the Citizens Theatre, which later transferred to London. In his final year at the conservatoire, he was cast as Romeo in the play Romeo and Juliet at the modern Globe Theatre in London, followed by a tour of the production during the summer of 2007. His portrayal of Romeo garnered attention, and he later starred in the Royal Shakespeare Company’s production of Malorie Blackman’s Noughts & Crosses. Madden’s early career included roles in the BBC comedy-drama series Hope Springs and films such as Chatroom and Worried About the Boy.
Richard Madden Career
Early Career (1997–2010)
Richard Madden’s first notable work was in the children’s television series Barmy Aunt Boomerang, which aired from 1999 to 2000. He gained further recognition for his role as Dean McKenzie in the BBC comedy-drama series Hope Springs in 2009. He also starred in the films Chatroom and Worried About the Boy in 2010. During this period, he received positive reviews for his performances, which helped establish his reputation in the industry.
Breakthrough (2011–2018)
Madden’s breakthrough role came when he starred as Robb Stark in the HBO fantasy drama series Game of Thrones from 2011 to 2013. His portrayal of Stark propelled him to prominence, and he received critical acclaim for his performance. Throughout his time on the series, the ensemble cast garnered Screen Actors Guild Awards nominations for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2011 and 2013. Following Game of Thrones, Madden starred as Prince Kit in the romantic fantasy film Cinderella, which was released in 2015 and became a critical and commercial success, grossing over $542 million. He also gained acclaim for his performance as Sergeant David Budd in the 2018 BBC thriller series Bodyguard, which earned him a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama.
Notable Works and Milestones
Richard Madden’s signature works include Game of Thrones, Cinderella, and Bodyguard. His performance in Bodyguard not only won him a Golden Globe Award but also established him as a leading actor in contemporary television.
Richard Madden Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Richard Madden has received several nominations for his performances, most notably for his role in Bodyguard, which earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination.
Richard Madden Awards Won
Richard Madden won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama for his performance in Bodyguard in 2019.
Richard Madden Family
Richard Madden has two sisters and was raised in a working-class family. His mother is a primary school teacher, and his father was a firefighter.
Personal Life
Richard Madden was in a relationship with actress Jenna Coleman from 2011 to 2015. He has expressed pride in coming from a working-class background and has spoken about the importance of creative opportunities for working-class children. As of May 2019, he splits his time between his residence in London and Los Angeles.
