Colin Salmon – Biography, James Bond, Height, Wife and Net Worth

Colin Salmon is an English actor, born 6 December 1961 in Bethnal Green, London, best known internationally as MI6 official Charles Robinson in three James Bond films. He has also had major roles in EastEnders, Arrow, Resident Evil, Krypton and Strictly Come Dancing.

With a career spanning more than three decades, the actor has built a reputation for playing authoritative figures on both British and American screens. His tall stature and deep voice have made him a recurring choice for senior officials, businessmen and military commanders.

Salmon’s professional path covers film, television, theatre, voice work and even reality competition, making him one of the more versatile supporting actors to emerge from the United Kingdom.

What Is Colin Salmon Best Known For?

Key Insights

• Colin Salmon is best known for his role as Charles Robinson in three James Bond films (Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day) during the Pierce Brosnan era.
• He has a commanding presence due to his deep voice and tall stature (6’3”).
• He appeared in major TV series including Arrow (as General Shrieve), EastEnders (as a guest role), and Strictly Come Dancing (contestant).
• He is married to actress Fiona Hawthorne and has four children.
• His net worth is often speculated but not officially disclosed; estimates vary widely.

Quick Facts

Colin Salmon’s Personal Life: Height, Wife, Children, and Net Worth

Height

Online sources commonly list Salmon at approximately 6 feet 4 inches (193 cm), though height information is not consistently documented in major authoritative biographies and should be treated as an estimate rather than a verified official measurement. Some sources give 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m), and the exact figure varies across databases.

Wife and Children

Salmon has been married to Fiona Hawthorne since June 1988. The couple have four children: Sasha, Ben, Eden and Rudi. He generally keeps his family life relatively private, so detailed information about his children and domestic life is limited in reputable public sources.

Net Worth

What Are Colin Salmon’s Notable TV Roles?

Arrow

From 2012 to 2014, Salmon played Walter Steele in the superhero series Arrow. Walter is a businessman, former husband of Moira Queen and stepfather of Oliver Queen. The role gave Salmon a substantial recurring presence in an internationally popular American television series.

EastEnders

Salmon joined BBC soap opera EastEnders as George Knight, the partner of Elaine Peacock and the father of Gina and Anna Knight. The character is connected to the Knight family’s storylines at The Queen Victoria pub. His casting introduced him to a large British soap audience beyond his established film and international television work.

Strictly Come Dancing

Salmon competed in the 2012 series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing. His professional dance partner was Kristina Rihanoff. His participation broadened his public profile in the United Kingdom and displayed a side of his career outside acting.

Full List of Colin Salmon Movies and TV Shows

Selected Film Credits

• Captives (1994)
• All Men Are Mortal (1995)
• Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), as Charles Robinson
• Frantz Fanon: Black Skin, White Mask (1997)
• The World Is Not Enough (1999), as Charles Robinson
• Fanny and Elvis (1999)
• My Kingdom (2001)
• Die Another Day (2002), as Charles Robinson
• Resident Evil (2002), as James “One” Shade
• The Statement (2003)
• Alien vs. Predator (2004), as Maxwell Stafford
• Freeze Frame (2004)
• Match Point (2005), as Ian
• The Bank Job (2008)
• Resident Evil: Retribution (2012)
• London Has Fallen (2016)
• Mortal Engines (2018), as Chudleigh Pomeroy

Selected Television Credits

• Prime Suspect II
• Soldier, Soldier
• Silent Witness
• Doctor Who
• Merlin
• Diary of a Call Girl
• Death in Paradise
• 24: Live Another Day, as General Coburn
• Limitless, as Jarrod Sands
• Krypton, as General Zod

What Is the Career Timeline of Colin Salmon?

1. 1961: Born in Bethnal Green, London.
2. 1992: Breakout role in Prime Suspect II as DS Bob Oswalde.
3. 1997-2002: Portrayed Charles Robinson in three James Bond films during the Pierce Brosnan era.
4. 2012: Contestant on Strictly Come Dancing with partner Kristina Rihanoff.
5. 2012-2014: Recurring role as Walter Steele in Arrow.
6. 2023: Guest role in EastEnders as George Knight.

What Do We Know and What Remains Uncertain?

Several details about Colin Salmon’s life are well documented. He was born on 6 December 1961 in Bethnal Green, London, and has been married to Fiona Hawthorne since June 1988. They have four children: Sasha, Ben, Eden and Rudi. His portrayal of Charles Robinson in three James Bond films remains his most recognisable role, while his early career breakthrough came from Prime Suspect II.

Other details are less certain. His exact height is listed inconsistently across sources, varying between 6’3″ and 6’4″. His net worth is not publicly confirmed and any estimate should be treated as speculative. Similarly, the specific private lives and professions of his children are not widely reported.

What Is the Broader Context of Colin Salmon’s Career?

Salmon is of Jamaican heritage and has maintained a long marriage while building a career across British and American entertainment. His public image is associated with versatility: he has played a senior intelligence official in Bond, a superhero-drama businessman in Arrow, a science-fiction villain in Krypton, a soap-opera patriarch in EastEnders and a television dance contestant.

Overall, his career is defined less by a single leading role than by sustained work across major franchises, British television, American network series, film and stage productions.

Where Can I Find Reliable Sources and Quotations?

“Salmon played Charles Robinson, M’s chief of staff and an MI6 deputy chief of staff, during the Pierce Brosnan era.” Wikipedia

“His career has covered film, television, theatre, voice work and occasional directing. The British Film Institute describes him as having performed on stage in productions including After Darwin, Buddy, All or Nothing at All, Head in the Machine and Ariadne.” Screenonline / BFI

Key sources for this biography include Wikipedia, IMDb, the British Film Institute’s Screenonline database, and reporting from the Metro and National World.

What’s Next for Colin Salmon?

Colin Salmon remains active in film and television. As of 2025, he has a role in the upcoming film The Optimist Club as announced on his official social media. Fans can also catch his past appearances on streaming platforms. Search interest may increase with new projects or reality TV involvement.

Frequently Asked Questions