Profile of Bruce Robinson on Famous Like Me

Bruce Robinson (born May 1, 1946) is a British writer, actor and director, best known for his film Withnail and I.

He was born in Broadstairs in Kent and studied at the Central School of Speech and Drama in London. At age 21 he was cast as Benvolio in Franco Zeffirelli's film adaption of Romeo and Juliet. After spending the seventies as a struggling actor in 1980 he dedicated himself to writing.

Commissioned by David Puttnam Robinson had adapted The Killing Fields from book to screenplay: a story about two journalists' experiences fleeing the Khmer Rouge which earned him Oscar and Golden Globe nominations and a BAFTA award.

Robinson is most widely recognised for the film Withnail and I (1987), which he wrote and directed. It was partly autobiographical, the character Withnail largely based on a friend, Vivian MacKerrell, who died young and the 'I' (or Marwood) on Robinson. The script started life as a novel that circulated privately amongst friends and had an underground following. After 'Withnail' his career has had mixed success. How to Get Ahead in Advertising is also highly regarded.

He has also written a novel, The Peculiar Memories of Thomas Penman and a novelette, Paranoia in the Launderette.

Selected filmography

As actor:

• Romeo and Juliet (1968)
• The Music Lovers (1970)
• L'Histoire d'Adèle H. (1975)

As writer:

• The Killing Fields (1984) (writer)

As writer-director:

• Withnail and I (1987)
• How to Get Ahead in Advertising (1989)
• Jennifer 8 (1992)

Further reading

• Withnail and I (Bloomsbury Film Classics), Bruce Robinson, Bloomsbury, 1998, ISBN 0747538972
• The Peculiar Memories of Thomas Penman, Bruce Robinson, Bloomsbury, 1998, ISBN 0747542376
• Paranoia in the Launderette, Bruce Robinson, Bloomsbury, 1998, ISBN 0747542430

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