Robert Arthur Knox (21 August 1989 – 24 May 2008) was an English actor who portrayed the character of Marcus Belby in the film Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince,[1] and had signed to appear in its sequel Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1.[2]
Rob Knox | |
|---|---|
.png) Knox on the set of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince in 2008 | |
| Born | Robert Arthur Knox 9 August 1989 Kent, England |
| Died | 24 May 2008 (aged 18) |
| Cause of death | Murder by stabbing |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2000–2008 |
Having studied at Beths Grammar School, Bexley, Knox began acting aged 11, gaining small roles in British television shows like The Bill, After You've Gone and Trust Me, I'm a Teenager. His first cinematic appearance was as an extra in King Arthur (2004).
Knox died after being stabbed outside a bar in Sidcup, Southeast London, in May 2008, when he intervened in a fight to protect his brother. His murder attracted widespread attention in the British press, and his assailant, Karl Norman Bishop, was subsequently sentenced to life imprisonment, with a minimum 20-year non-parole period.[3] An annual film festival, the Rob Knox Film Festival, was created in 2008 to commemorate him, by the Rob Knox Foundation which helps fund training for young local people in the arts.
Early life and career
editKnox was born to Colin and Sally Knox in 1989. He was a pupil at Beths Grammar School, Bexley. He had been acting since the age of 11, and his first credited role was a small part in an episode of the ITV police drama The Bill and he also appeared in the Channel 4 reality show Trust Me, I'm a Teenager, and the BBC comedy After You've Gone. He had previously appeared as an extra in a number of productions. The first film Knox appeared in was King Arthur in 2004. He also appeared on Tonight with Trevor McDonald.[2]
Harry Potter
editIn 2007, casting began for the role of Marcus Belby in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, the film adaptation of British author J. K. Rowling's best-selling novel and the sixth instalment of the Harry Potter film series.[4]
Knox posthumously appeared in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009).[1]
Although his character does not appear in the seventh novel, Knox had signed on to reprise his role as Marcus Belby in the production of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.[2]
Death
editMurder
editKnox died at the age of 18 after he was stabbed outside the Metro Bar in Sidcup, Southeast London, on 24 May 2008. He had intervened in a fight to protect his 17-year-old brother Jamie, who was being threatened by a man armed with two kitchen knives.[5][6][7] Warner Bros. released a statement concerning his death: "We are all shocked and saddened by this news and at this time our sympathies are with his family".[5]
Arrest and trial of Karl Bishop
editKarl Norman Bishop (born 1987 in Lewisham,[8] Southeast London),[9] from Carlton Road, Sidcup, was charged with the murder.[2] He was taken into custody, and remained there until his trial, which began in February 2009.[10] Bishop was found guilty of murder on 4 March 2009,[11][12] and received a life sentence with a minimum of 20 years before being considered for parole.[13] Police reported that he showed no remorse for the crime.[14]
Media
editDocumentary
edit- (K)nox: The Rob Knox Story, April 2021, an ITVX Documentary.[15]
Filmography
edit| Film | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2004 | King Arthur | extra | Uncredited |
| 2009 | Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince | Marcus Belby | Released posthumously |
| 2021 | (K)nox: The Rob Knox Story | Himself | Released posthumously |
| Television | |||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| The Bill | Unknown | 1 episode | |
| 2003 | Trust me I'm a Teenager | Himself | |
| 2007 | After You've Gone | Josh | 2 episodes |
See also
edit- Murder of Ben Kinsella - Kinsella was another child actor who was stabbed to death in 2008 whilst still a teenager
- Sally Anne Bowman - a British model who was also murdered in London.
References
edit- ^ a b "More Potter film casting revealed". Newsround. 19 December 2007. Archived from the original on 26 February 2019. Retrieved 19 December 2007.
- ^ a b c d Brown, David (26 May 2008). "Family of murdered Robert Knox speak out". Kent: Times Online. Retrieved 27 May 2008.[dead link]
- ^ "Actor's Killer Smirks As He's Jailed For Life". Sky News. 5 March 2009. Archived from the original on 7 November 2014.
- ^ Buchanan, Jason (2009). "Overview of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince". Allmovie. Archived from the original on 23 March 2010. Retrieved 14 May 2010.
- ^ a b "Potter film actor killed in fight". BBC News. 24 May 2008. Archived from the original on 28 December 2008. Retrieved 24 May 2008.
- ^ "Harry Potter film actor killed in fight outside bar in Sidcup, Kent". the Guardian. 24 May 2008. Archived from the original on 18 January 2023. Retrieved 6 February 2021.
- ^ "Harry Potter actor killed in Sidcup knife attack". www.telegraph.co.uk. 24 May 2008. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 2 April 2018.
- ^ "Births England and Wales 1984–2006". Archived from the original on 23 August 2009. Retrieved 4 March 2009.
- ^ "Harry Potter Actor's Murder: Man In Court" Archived 12 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, News.Sky.com, 27 May 2008
- ^ "SIDCUP: Man to stand trial for murder of Harry Potter actor Rob Knox" Archived 4 June 2011 at the Wayback Machine, ThisIsLocalLondon.com 6 February 2009
- ^ 'Potter actor's parents' anguish' Archived 14 April 2009 at the Wayback Machine BBC News, 4 March 2009
- ^ Bannerman, Lucy (5 March 2009). ""Karl Bishop guilty of killing Harry Potter actor Robert Knox"". The Times. Retrieved 13 March 2009.[dead link]
- ^ 'Life term for Potter actor killer' Archived 10 March 2009 at the Wayback Machine BBC News, 5 March 2009
- ^ "Actor accused showed 'no remorse'". BBC News. 20 February 2009. Archived from the original on 26 February 2024. Retrieved 5 October 2011.
- ^ "Knox: The Rob Knox Story". ITVX. 23 February 2023. Archived from the original on 22 February 2024. Retrieved 22 February 2024.