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Colin Salmon – Biography, James Bond, EastEnders, and More

Jack Morgan Bennett • 2026-10-23 • Reviewed by Oliver Bennett

Colin Salmon is an English actor best known for playing MI6 official Charles Robinson in three James Bond films and George Knight in the BBC soap EastEnders. His career spans blockbuster franchises, British television dramas, and reality TV.

Colin Roy Salmon was born on 6 December 1961 in Bethnal Green, London, and has built a career spanning over three decades. His most prominent roles include appearances in Arrow, Resident Evil, Krypton, Doctor Who and Strictly Come Dancing. Further biographical context is provided in Colin Salmon – Biography, James Bond Roles and EastEnders.

Despite these high-profile credits, much of his personal life remains out of the public eye. This has led to conflicting reports about details such as his height and net worth across different sources.

Who Is Colin Salmon?

Full Name: Colin Roy Salmon
Date of Birth: 6 December 1961 (age 63)
Height: Approximately 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) in many listings, though some sources cite 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in); height is not consistently verified across major sources.
Spouse: Fiona Hawthorne (m. 1988)

Key Insights

  • Salmon has been a consistent presence in British television and film for over three decades, with his most iconic role being Charles Robinson in three Pierce Brosnan-era James Bond films.
  • His career spans theatre, television (EastEnders, Arrow, Prime Suspect), and reality TV (Strictly Come Dancing).
  • He is married to visual artist Fiona Hawthorne, and the couple has been together since 1988.
  • Salmon has four children: Sasha, Rudi, Eden and Ben.
  • He provides the voice and likeness of Agent Carson in the PlayStation VR title Blood & Truth.
  • He returned to long-running British television drama in 2023 with a regular role in EastEnders.

Fast Facts About Colin Salmon

Category Details
Occupation Actor, Voice Actor
Years Active 1988–present
Notable For James Bond (Charles Robinson), EastEnders (George Knight), Arrow (Walter Steele)
Spouse Fiona Hawthorne (visual artist)
Children 4 (Sasha, Rudi, Eden, Ben)
Height 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in) – commonly listed but not uniformly verified across sources
Net Worth No reliable public figure; estimates are speculative
Strictly Come Dancing Contestant in the 10th series

Which James Bond Films Did Colin Salmon Star In?

Colin Salmon played the role of Charles Robinson, a senior MI6 deputy chief of staff, in three consecutive James Bond films featuring Pierce Brosnan. This placed him among the few actors to appear alongside Brosnan in all of his Bond outings.

  • Tomorrow Never Dies (1997)
  • The World Is Not Enough (1999)
  • Die Another Day (2002)
A Supporting Presence in MI6

Unlike M or Q, Charles Robinson was a civil servant in MI6, providing a grounded, bureaucratic counterpart to Bond’s field missions. The character appeared in briefing rooms rather than on the front lines of the action.

What Other TV Shows and Movies Has Colin Salmon Been In?

EastEnders

In 2023, Salmon joined the BBC soap EastEnders as George Knight, co-owner of the Queen Victoria pub. The character was introduced as part of a major new family storyline in Walford.

Arrow

In The CW superhero series Arrow, Salmon played Walter Steele, a businessman and the stepfather of Oliver Queen. The role linked him to one of the show’s central family and corporate storylines.

Strictly Come Dancing

Salmon participated in the tenth series of BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing with professional dancer Kristina Rihanoff. He was eliminated in week five after a dance-off against broadcaster Richard Arnold.

Diverse Genre Work

Salmon has appeared in genre films such as Resident Evil (as James “One” Shade), Alien vs. Predator, Mortal Engines, and the television series Krypton (as General Zod). These roles highlight a career built around strong supporting performances in major franchises.

Who Is Colin Salmon’s Wife and Family?

Salmon is married to visual artist Fiona Hawthorne. The couple married in 1988. They have four children: Sasha, Rudi, Eden and Ben.

Salmon generally keeps his family life private, so publicly available information about his children beyond their names is limited.

Privacy and Reporting

While the BBC names Colin Salmon’s children as Sasha, Rudi, Eden and Ben, the actor does not share personal details publicly. Most biographical family details originate from his BBC Strictly Come Dancing profile.

When Did Key Moments in Colin Salmon’s Career Happen?

  1. 1961: Born in Bethnal Green, London.
  2. Early 1990s: Gained early recognition on television with Prime Suspect 2 and Soldier, Soldier.
  3. 1994: Appeared in the film Captives.
  4. 1997: Played Charles Robinson in his first James Bond film, Tomorrow Never Dies.
  5. 1999: Returned as Charles Robinson in The World Is Not Enough.
  6. 2002: Completed his Bond run in Die Another Day; also starred in Resident Evil.
  7. 2012: Played Walter Steele in Arrow.
  8. 2023: Joined EastEnders as George Knight.

What Is Known for Certain About Colin Salmon?

Given the gaps in some celebrity databases, it is useful to distinguish verified facts from those that remain uncertain.

  • Date of birth (6 December 1961) is confirmed by Wikipedia and multiple credible biographies.
  • Spouse is Fiona Hawthorne (married 1988).
  • Four children: Sasha, Rudi, Eden and Ben.
  • James Bond role as Charles Robinson in three films (Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day).
  • Active as an actor from 1988 to the present.
  • Net worth: No official disclosure exists; estimates vary widely and should be treated as speculative.
  • Height: Commonly listed as 1.93 m (6 ft 4 in), but this is not consistently verified across major sources like Wikipedia or the BBC.
  • Beyond EastEnders: No major new film or television announcement for 2024 has been independently verified beyond his ongoing work as George Knight.

How Does Colin Salmon Fit Into British Television and Film?

Colin Salmon represents a reliable supporting presence in major franchises. While he rarely leads a cast, his work in three consecutive Bond films, a regular role in EastEnders, and appearances in American series like Arrow give him a broad footprint across modern genre television. His career reflects a path chosen by many British character actors: building a diverse portfolio across mediums rather than pursuing global stardom. His journey from the Bond franchise to the dance floor is detailed in Colin Salmon – Bond Actor, EastEnders and Strictly Star.

What Do Official Profiles Say About Colin Salmon?

“Colin Salmon is one of Britain’s most renowned actors. With a bold voice and posture, Colin makes his characters a favorite among audiences for every role he plays.”

IMDb

“One of Britain’s premier acting talents, Colin Salmon has been a star of the big and small screen since his big break playing opposite Helen Mirren in ITV’s Prime Suspect.”

BBC Strictly profile

These profiles emphasize his reputation as a steady, professional actor who brings authority to his roles, whether playing an MI6 official or a dance contestant.

Where Is Colin Salmon Now?

As of 2025, Colin Salmon continues his association with EastEnders as George Knight. He remains active in television, film, and voice work. While no major new announcements are confirmed, his established career and visibility on Strictly Come Dancing ensure he remains a recognizable figure in British entertainment.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Colin Salmon related to Paul Salmon or Keith Salmon?

No, there is no known relation between Colin Salmon and Paul Salmon or Keith Salmon. These names belong to unrelated individuals.

What is Colin Salmon’s age?

He was born on 6 December 1961, making him 63 years old as of 2025.

Where was Colin Salmon born?

He was born in Bethnal Green, London, England.

What is Colin Salmon’s real name?

His full name is Colin Roy Salmon.

How tall is Colin Salmon?

He is commonly listed at approximately 1.93 metres (6 feet 4 inches), though some sources list 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in). Height listings are not consistently verified across major sources.

What is Colin Salmon’s net worth?

There is no reliable, audited public figure for his net worth. Estimates vary significantly online and should be treated as speculative.

Did Colin Salmon voice act in video games?

Yes, he provided the voice and likeness of Agent Carson in the PlayStation VR title Blood & Truth.

What character did Colin Salmon play in EastEnders?

He joined the cast in 2023 as George Knight, the landlord and co-owner of the Queen Victoria pub.

What character did Colin Salmon play in Arrow?

He played Walter Steele, a businessman and the stepfather of Oliver Queen.

How many children does Colin Salmon have?

He has four children: Sasha, Rudi, Eden and Ben.

Jack Morgan Bennett

About the author

Jack Morgan Bennett

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