Robert Llewellyn: The Renaissance Man of Comedy and Innovation

A Face Familiar to Millions: Kryten and Beyond

Robert Llewellyn is a British actor, comedian, presenter, and writer, best known for his iconic portrayal of the mechanoid Kryten in the sci-fi television sitcom Red Dwarf. This beloved character has become synonymous with Llewellyn's impressive comedic range and physical prowess. However, his talents extend far beyond the confines of the Red Dwarf universe.

A Journey into Comedy and Performance

Born on March 10, 1956, in Northampton, England, Llewellyn's earliest forays into show business were as a hobby, organizing amateur cabaret evenings in a riverside warehouse overlooking Tower Bridge in London. These successful shows led him to form an alternative comedy theatre group called The Joeys, alongside Bernie Evans, Nigel Ordish, and Graham Allum. The group toured Britain and France in the early 1980s, exploring themes of sexual politics between men.

The Many Faces of Llewellyn: Writing, Acting, and Presenting

Llewellyn's writing skills were instrumental in shaping The Joeys' material, and he eventually began penning novels. After the group disbanded in 1985, he co-wrote and starred in the 1987 sitcom The Corner House for Channel 4, a comedy about a café run by gay men. His one-man comedy show, Mammon, Robot Born of Woman, caught the attention of Paul Jackson, producer of Red Dwarf, leading to his iconic role as Kryten.

Red Dwarf and the Birth of a Cultural Icon

Llewellyn joined the cast of Red Dwarf in 1989, at the start of the third series. His physical comedy skills and versatility encouraged the show's creators, Rob Grant and Doug Naylor, to write additional characters for him, including Jim Reaper and Human Kryten. As Kryten, Llewellyn brought to life a lovable, bumbling mechanoid who became an integral part of the Red Dwarf crew.

From Scrapheap to Fully Charged: A Passion for Engineering and Innovation

In the early 2000s, Llewellyn presented the popular engineering game show Scrapheap Challenge, where teams competed to build innovative machines from discarded materials. This enthusiasm for engineering and innovation led him to create Fully Charged, a YouTube series exploring electric vehicles, renewable energy, and sustainable living. Fully Charged has since grown into a company that organizes EV and sustainable living conventions across the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and Europe.

AWARDS AND HONORS

• Nominated for Best Comedy Performance at the 1992 British Comedy Awards for Red Dwarf
• Winner of the 1993 BBC Audiobook of the Year for his narration of Red Dwarf novels

PHILOSOPHICAL CONTRIBUTIONS AND BELIEFS

Through his work on Fully Charged, Llewellyn has become an advocate for sustainable living, renewable energy, and reducing carbon emissions. He believes in the importance of individual action in combating climate change and promoting eco-friendly practices.

PERSONAL MILESTONES AND KEY LIFE EVENTS

• Stopped working as a shoemaker to pursue a career in comedy and performance
• Founded The Joeys, an alternative comedy theatre group
• Co-wrote and starred in The Corner House, a sitcom for Channel 4
• Joined the cast of Red Dwarf in 1989
• Launched Fully Charged, a YouTube series and sustainable living company

Robert Llewellyn's remarkable career is a testament to his boundless energy, creativity, and dedication to innovation. From the cult classic Red Dwarf to his pioneering work in sustainable living, Llewellyn continues to inspire and entertain audiences around the world.