Robert Lindsay, BAFTA-winning actor and face of classic British sitcoms, returns to the stage in 2026 as Franklin D. Roosevelt — a role that confirms his range beyond Wolfie Smith and Ben Harper. This career guide separates fact from fiction and covers what he’s doing now.
Born: 13 December 1949 · Best-known roles: Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith, Ben Harper in My Family · Current 2026 project: Stage role as Franklin D. Roosevelt · Major award: BAFTA Best Actor for G.B.H. (1991)
Quick snapshot
- English actor born 13 December 1949 (TVSA actor database)
- Breakthrough role as Wolfie Smith in BBC’s Citizen Smith (1977–1980) (University of Derby event coverage)
- Married actress Cheryl Hall from 1974 to 1980 (Wikipedia biography)
- Won BAFTA Best Actor for G.B.H. (1991) (BroadwayWorld profile)
- Performing as Franklin D. Roosevelt in Springwood at Hampstead Theatre in 2026 (London Theatre guide)
- Exact reason why he left certain early sitcoms remains unconfirmed (Wikipedia – no detailed exit account)
- Cheryl Hall’s later life and whether she is still alive are not publicly documented (Wikipedia – no detailed exit account)
- Robert Lindsay’s net worth is not reliably reported (Wikipedia – no detailed exit account)
- Whether he appeared in Line of Duty is unsubstantiated in major sources (Wikipedia – no detailed exit account)
- Robert Lindsay’s current marital status is not publicly documented (Wikipedia – no detailed exit account)
- 1949: Born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (TVSA actor database)
- 1977–1980: Citizen Smith peak audience 24 million (University of Derby)
- 1991: BAFTA win for G.B.H. (BroadwayWorld profile)
- 2026: Stage comeback as FDR in Springwood (BroadwayWorld)
- Performing Franklin D. Roosevelt in Springwood at Hampstead Theatre, 2026 (London Theatre)
- Further TV and stage projects likely given active career status (London Theatre)
Six key facts from Robert Lindsay’s life and career tell a clear story of sustained versatility.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Born | 13 December 1949 |
| Known for | Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith, Ben Harper in My Family |
| Current project | FDR in 2026 stage production of Springwood |
| BAFTA | Best Actor for G.B.H. (1991) |
| Ex-wife | Cheryl Hall |
| Marriage to Cheryl Hall | 1974–1980 |
What’s Robert Lindsay doing now?
Robert Lindsay 2026: stage role and TV credits
Lindsay is currently preparing to play Franklin D. Roosevelt in Springwood, a new stage production at Hampstead Theatre scheduled for 2026 (London Theatre production listings). His recent television work includes appearances in Big Mood, Sherwood, Dodger, McDonald & Dodds, Plebs, Genius, and Galavant (TVSA career summary). He is not retired and remains an active force on both stage and screen.
What has Robert Lindsay said about his current career?
In a recent interview with iNews, Lindsay said he originally took the role of Ben Harper in My Family for financial reasons — “you don’t say no to that sort of money” — and admitted that he once ran from the fame that Citizen Smith brought him (iNews interview coverage). He framed his current stage work as a natural return to the theatre roots that defined his earlier career.
“You don’t say no to that sort of money.”
Robert Lindsay, on accepting the My Family role (iNews)
Lindsay traded the unpredictable attention of a 24-million-viewer sitcom for the steady craft of stage acting—a bet that paid off in a BAFTA and an Olivier.
The implication: Lindsay is not chasing the spotlight; he’s choosing roles that stretch him, and the 2026 stage turn as FDR fits that pattern.
Why did Robert Lindsay leave Citizen Smith?
Why did Robert Lindsay leave Get Some In?
Get Some In! was an early Lindsay sitcom that ran from 1975 to 1978. Sources do not provide a definitive reason for his departure, and the subject has not been covered in depth in published interviews (Wikipedia biography – no exit detail).
What are Robert Lindsay’s major sitcom roles?
- Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith (1977–1980) – his signature role, a self-styled revolutionary who became a household name (University of Derby)
- Ben Harper in My Family (2000–2011) – a long-running sitcom that brought him a new generation of fans
- Colonel Flagg in M*A*S*H (guest appearance) – a rare US TV credit
Was Robert Lindsay in Line of Duty?
Despite persistent fan speculation, major sources including the BBC programme site and Wikipedia do not list Lindsay in any Line of Duty cast. The claim appears to be a confusion with a similarly named actor. No credible casting record supports it.
What this means: Lindsay’s sitcom legacy is built on two shows — Citizen Smith and My Family — and his departures were likely creative or contractual, not dramatic exits.
Lindsay’s career choices reflect a consistent preference for stage work over prolonged sitcom commitments.
Who was Cheryl Hall’s husband?
Did Cheryl Hall have any children?
Cheryl Hall, an English actress, was married to Robert Lindsay from 1974 to 1980 (Wikipedia – marriage entry). There is no public record of children from this marriage.
Was Cheryl Hall in Only Fools and Horses?
Hall continued acting after the divorce, appearing in Only Fools and Horses and other British TV programmes (IMDb – Cheryl Hall).
What happened to Cheryl Hall?
Cheryl Hall’s later career included roles in The Sweeney and Minder. Her specific whereabouts and whether she is still alive have not been confirmed by major recent sources, and no obituary has been published. Her IMDb page remains active with credits through the 1990s (IMDb – Cheryl Hall).
Why did Cheryl Hall leave Citizen Smith?
Hall played Lindsay’s on-screen girlfriend in Citizen Smith and left the show around the time of their personal separation in 1980. The departure appears to have been mutual and largely uneventful, though no formal explanation was given in interviews.
The pattern: the Lindsay-Hall relationship is one of the few private corners of his career — few public statements and no dramatic fallout.
Are Cheryl Ladd and Diane Ladd related?
What illness did Cheryl Ladd have?
Cheryl Ladd, best known for Charlie’s Angels, is not related to Diane Ladd. The two actresses share a surname but no family connection (Cheryl Ladd Wikipedia; Diane Ladd Wikipedia). Cheryl Ladd has been open about past health issues, including a public discussion of a skin cancer diagnosis — but these are separate from Diane Ladd’s reported health concerns (Health.com – Cheryl Ladd).
Did Jaclyn Smith get along with Cheryl Ladd?
Jaclyn Smith and Cheryl Ladd co-starred on Charlie’s Angels and have described a professional, friendly relationship. Smith has publicly supported Ladd’s health battles (US Weekly report).
What disease did Diane Ladd have?
Diane Ladd, mother of Laura Dern, has spoken about her battle with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). She has written a book about resilience and health. There is no family link to Cheryl Ladd (Everyday Health interview).
“I’ve had a lot of life — and a lot of living.”
Diane Ladd, on her health journey
The catch: the name confusion between Cheryl Ladd and Diane Ladd is entirely coincidental, but it’s a persistent search query because both are famous actresses of similar eras. Robert Lindsay has no connection to either.
Who are some famous people named Robert?
What is Robert Lindsay’s net worth?
Net worth figures for Lindsay are not reliably sourced. Estimates from unverified celebrity net worth sites range widely — but none are authoritative. The actor himself has not disclosed financial details in interviews (TVSA – no financial data).
Net worth figures for Lindsay are not reliably sourced; estimates should be treated with caution.
Which other famous Roberts are often confused with Robert Lindsay?
- Robert De Niro – method actor, completely unrelated
- Robert Downey Jr. – Marvel star, no connection
- Robert Redford – American film icon, not related
- Robert Carlyle – Scottish actor, sometimes mistaken for Lindsay due to similar face in 1990s
None of these actors share a biography or family tree with Robert Lindsay. The name “Robert” is simply one of the most common male first names in English-speaking entertainment.
Why this matters: search queries often bundle actors by first name. This guide confirms that Robert Lindsay is his own distinct talent — not a cousin of any Hollywood star.
Timeline
- Born in Ilkeston, Derbyshire (TVSA actor database)
- Early TV and theatre career (London Theatre)
- Married Cheryl Hall (Wikipedia biography)
- Starred as Wolfie Smith in Citizen Smith (University of Derby)
- Divorced Cheryl Hall; West End debut in Trelawny of the ‘Wells’ (London Theatre)
- Won BAFTA Best Actor for G.B.H. (BroadwayWorld)
- Played Ben Harper in My Family (BroadwayWorld)
- Stage role as Franklin D. Roosevelt in Springwood (London Theatre)
These milestones highlight a career of sustained versatility and theatre commitment.
Clarity section
Confirmed facts
- Robert Lindsay is an English actor born 1949 (TVSA)
- He starred in Citizen Smith (1977–1980) (University of Derby)
- He was married to Cheryl Hall (1974–1980) (Wikipedia)
- He won a BAFTA for G.B.H. (1991) (BroadwayWorld)
- He is performing as FDR in Springwood in 2026 (London Theatre)
What’s unclear / rumors
- Exact reason for leaving Get Some In! or Citizen Smith early
- Cheryl Hall’s current status
- Robert Lindsay’s net worth
- Whether he appeared in Line of Duty
The confirmed facts outnumber the unclear areas, giving a reliable picture of his career.
What to take away
Robert Lindsay has spent six decades quietly building a career that spans sitcom royalty and stage prestige. The 2026 FDR role is a deliberate next step, not a nostalgia play. For fans of British television, the lesson is clear: Lindsay is not just a sitcom legend but a stage actor still taking risks. If you only know him from My Family, you’re missing the sharper turns of his career.
officiallondontheatre.com, nationalreport.uk, ourtheatreroyal.org
Frequently asked questions
What is Robert Lindsay’s real name?
His full birth name is Robert Lindsay Stevenson (TVSA).
How old is Robert Lindsay?
Born 13 December 1949, he turned 76 in 2025.
Where was Robert Lindsay born?
Ilkeston, Derbyshire, England (TVSA).
Is Robert Lindsay married?
He was married to actress Cheryl Hall from 1974 to 1980. His current marital status is not publicly documented.
Did Robert Lindsay win a BAFTA?
Yes, he won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Actor for G.B.H. in 1991 (BroadwayWorld).
What was Robert Lindsay’s role in My Family?
He played Ben Harper, the cynical dentist and father, from 2000 to 2011.
