Robert Robertson (3 July 1930 – 17 January 2001) was a British actor and director, born in Scotland.^[1] He was best known for playing Doctor Stephen Andrews in the television show Taggart.^[1]

Robertson was born in St Andrews, Fife.^[2] His acting career started with the Manchester Repertory Theatre shortly after World War II.^[3][4] He moved to London appearing in a variety of roles most notably as Dr Grimwig in Oliver!, Lionel Bart's acclaimed Dicken's musical, at the New Theatre.^[2] Robertson also wrote and performed his own one-man show, Your Humble Servant, at the Open Space Theatre, London.^[2]

In 1973 Robertson returned to Scotland to perform in Dundee and stayed.^[4] He acted and directed with the Dundee Repertory Theatre, serving as the company's artistic director from 1976 to 1992.^[2][5] On stage he played Willy Loman in Death of a Salesman and Frank in Educating Rita.^[2] He directed The Importance of Being Earnest, The Tempest and The Cherry Orchard.^[2] Robertson also oversaw the move to a new purpose-built theatre in the centre of Dundee.^[2]

In 1983 he was cast in the three-part pilot of Taggart as Dr Stephen Andrews.^[4] The show became an international success and Robertson became famous for his role as the pathologist.^[4] He appeared in 51 episodes of the show.^[4]

Other notable television appearances include The Ambassadors of Death, a Doctor Who serial in 1970 and the role of Palanguez in the BBC's The Day of the Triffids.^[2] On the big screen Robertson appeared in the 1996 film Breaking the Waves, directed by Lars von Trier.^[2]

Robertson died on 17 January 2001, at the age of 70, after suffering a heart attack while reading a Robert Burns poem, Holy Willie's Prayer, on stage in Perth.^[4] He was rushed to hospital, where he succumbed shortly afterwards to heart failure (cardiovascular disease).^[2]