Colin Salmon, born December 6, 1961, in Bethnal Green, London, is a versatile English actor and musician, widely recognized for his commanding screen presence and rich baritone voice. Of Jamaican descent and raised in Luton, Salmon originally pursued a passion for music before transitioning to acting—beginning his career as a drummer in the punk band The Friction and later performing jazz as a trumpeter and vocalist.
He rose to international fame playing Charles Robinson, an MI6 aide, in three James Bond films alongside Pierce Brosnan: Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), The World Is Not Enough (1999), and Die Another Day (2002). He also gained a cult following for his role as James “One” Shade in the Resident Evil film series.
Salmon has been a fixture on British television, with roles in Doctor Who, Merlin, Arrow, The Musketeers, and Krypton (as General Zod). In 2023, he joined EastEnders as George Knight, expanding his reach into long-running UK television drama.
In addition to acting, Salmon remains musically active with his jazz quartet, often performing at prestigious venues like the Dorchester and events like the Cheltenham Jazz Festival. He balances his music and acting careers, describing his band as a treasured passion project that he keeps “running like an Aston Martin.”
