Richard Madden
A Scottish actor who brings a grounded, simmering intensity to every role, from a fallen king in Westeros to a weary bodyguard in London.
Born 1986 (age 40)·Scottish actor·Birthday: June 18·Millennials
Biography
Richard Madden's career is a study in compelling restraint. He trained at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, grounding his work in classical technique, which served him perfectly when he was thrust into global fame as Robb Stark, the noble King in the North on 'Game of Thrones.' Madden made Robb's tragic arc deeply human, balancing youthful idealism with the grim weight of command. Rather than chase similar fantasy epic roles, he deliberately diversified. He commanded the stage as Romeo for Shakespeare's Globe, led the BBC's hit thriller 'Bodyguard' with a performance of tightly wound vulnerability that captivated audiences, and stepped into big-budget shoes as Ikaris in Marvel's 'Eternals.' Madden possesses a magnetic, watchful quality; his power often lies in what he holds back, making his characters feel authentically complex. He has built a reputation not as a flashy star, but as a serious, thoughtful actor who can anchor both intimate dramas and blockbuster spectacles with equal conviction.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Richard was born in 1986, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Richard Was Born
The biggest hits of 1986
#1 Movie
Top Gun
Best Picture
Platoon
#1 TV Show
The Cosby Show
Richard's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1986Born
Challenger disaster; Chernobyl nuclear meltdown
Gas: $0.86/galHome: $66,600Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne & FriendsBest Picture: Platoon
1991Started school
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1999Became a teenager
Columbine shooting; Y2K panic builds
Gas: $1.17/galHome: $113,900Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Believe" — CherBest Picture: American Beauty
2002Could drive
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2004Could vote
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Turned 21
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2016Turned 30
Donald Trump elected president; Brexit vote
Gas: $2.14/galHome: $181,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Love Yourself" — Justin BieberBest Picture: Moonlight
2026Turned 40
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Television Series – Drama for his role as David Budd in 'Bodyguard' in 2019.
- Gained international recognition for his portrayal of Robb Stark in the first three seasons of the landmark HBO series 'Game of Thrones.'
- Starred as Ikaris in Marvel Studios' 2021 film 'Eternals,' joining the expansive Marvel Cinematic Universe.
- Led the cast of the Amazon Prime Video series 'Citadel,' one of the most expensive television productions ever made.
Did You Know?
His first acting role was at age 11, playing a lost boy in a stage production of 'Peter Pan' in his hometown of Elderslie, Scotland.
He performed all of his own stunts in the first season of 'Bodyguard,' including the intense train sequence.
He was considered for the role of James Bond after Daniel Craig's departure, a rumor widely reported in the media.
He is a patron of the Scottish youth arts organization, Arts Emergency.
““I’m quite shy, and acting is a way of being someone else and exploring things that you wouldn’t in your own life.””
