Robert Aramayo couldn’t have appeared more shocked or overwhelmed as he accepted the award for Lead Actor at the BAFTAs on Sunday night.
The actor, 33, struggled to contain his emotions as he took to the stage after beating the likes of Timothee Chalamet and Leonardo DiCaprio for his role in the Tourette’s drama I Swear.
Addressing the room full of Hollywood stars, Robert looked directly at Leo as he joked: ‘I can’t believe I’m looking at people like you [Leonardo DiCaprio] never mind that I’m stood here.’
Originally from Hull in Yorkshire, Robert began acting when he was just seven years old after bagging the role of Bugsy Malone in a primary school production.
He realised he had a talent for mimicking people and used to get in trouble for impersonating his teachers.
When he was 10 he joined the Hull Truck Youth Theatre and in 2011, at aged 16 he won a place at the prestigious Julliard School in New York, where he still lives today.
Who is Robert Aramayo? From humble Hull to his big break at New York’s Julliard as I Swear star beats Timothee Chalamet and wins two BAFTAs at this year’s ceremony (pictured)
The actor, 33, struggled to contain his emotions as he took to the stage after beating the likes of Timothee and Leonardo DiCaprio for his role in the Tourette’s drama I Swear on Sunday
He previously told Elle Magazine: ‘It’s a tough place to live, but the energy is undeniable.’
It was here Robert got his first big break when his performance as Alex in the Julliard production of A Clockwork Orange earned him his first film role in Lost In Florence.
Robert became more of a household name in 2016 when he joined the cast of Game Of Thrones, playing the young role of Eddard Stark in the sixth and seventh series of the HBO show.
After various other roles, in 2019 he was cast in Netflix’s psychological thriller Behind Her Eyes and in 2020 it was revealed he would play Elrond in the Amazon TV series The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power.
Yet I Swear has propelled Robert to a new level of success, and after winning both Lead Actor and the EE Rising Star Award at Sunday night’s BAFTAs it seems Robert’s career could be set to soar.
Robert plays campaigner John Davidson, now 54, who was diagnosed with Tourette Syndrome at a time when little was known about the condition.
The film depicts his younger years living in Galashiels, when he was first diagnosed.
In an interview with The Rolling Stone magazine back in October, Robert shared that he had no expectations going into the awards ceremony.
Originally from Yorkshire, Robert began acting when he was just seven years old after bagging the role of Bugsy Malone in a primary school production (pictured in I Swear)
Robert became more of a household name in 2016 when he joined the cast of Game Of Thrones, playing the young role of Eddard Stark
In 2020 it was revealed he would play Elrond in the Amazon TV series The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power (pictured)
Speaking before nominations were announced, he was asked if he was prepared to hear his name read out during awards season.
‘No, definitely not,’ Robert replied: ‘We were just working really hard to build this authentic story and I think it would be amazing for John if lots of people saw this and it highlighted how incredible that man is. That would be awesome.’
Robert also spoke openly about the debate surrounding actors who portray characters with a condition that they don’t have.
He explained: ‘It makes you feel like you have a lot of responsibility to do the project justice. I mean I’m an actor and I read a really challenging role and I wanted to do it.
‘I knew that if I was going to do it, the authenticity should be the thing I focused on the most and I ran with that, right to the edge of what was possible for me, because I really believed in doing that.’
Robert also described his role as John as the ‘biggest challenge’ of his career.
Speaking on BBC Radio Humberside he said: ‘It was a real challenge, probably the biggest challenge I’ve done. Having John there and having his guidance and help was invaluable.’
Seemingly unphased by the idea of fame, in his downtime Robert shared that he tends to exercise, watch 70s films with his friends or play the boardgame Catan.
Robert has also recently made his stage debut after he starred at London’s Royal Court theatre in Guess How Much I Love You? which finished last week.
Robert plays campaigner John Davidson who was diagnosed wit h Tourette Syndrome at a time when little was known about the condition
Robert has also recently made his stage debut after he starred at London’s Royal Court theatre in Guess How Much I Love You?
Robert appears to keep his personal life out of the public domain with his Instagram only dating back to September
The heart wrenching relationship drama tells the story of a couple waiting to welcome their first baby and what happens to your sense of self and future when things don’t go as you planned them.
Robert appears to keep his personal life out of the public domain with his Instagram only dating back to September.
During his speech on Sunday night he thanked his family and his partner, however there is no information on her identity.
Overcome with emotion, Robert told the crowd: ‘I absolutely can’t believe this. I can’t believe I’m looking at people like you [Leonardo DiCaprio] never mind that I’m stood here.
He added: ‘I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award I really cannot. Everyone in this category blows me away.
‘When I was in school Ethan Hawke came to speak to us at Juillard and he gave an amazing talk on longevity as an actor, protecting your instrument and avoiding self destructive behaviours, it had an incredible impact on every one in that room.’
As the camera panned to the fellow actors in the category, Leonardo was seen clapping politely while Timothee also managed a smile.
As his name was announced, Robert’s father jumped to his feet and was shouting as he expressed his delight and the pair embraced in a hug.
Earlier in the evening Robert also won the EE Rising Star Award, the only accolade voted for by the public.
Also nominated in the category was Miles Caton, Chase Infiniti, Archie Madekwe and Posy Sterling.
Fighting back tears he continued: ‘I honestly cannot believe that I have won this award I really cannot. Everyone in this category blows me away’
As his name was announced, Robert’s father jumped to his feet and was shouting as he expressed his delight and the pair embraced in a hug
He said: ‘Oh my word this is really scary last time I was at the BAFTAs I dropped the award, so I hope this goes better. Wow I can’t believe this it really blows my mind.
‘I want to acknowledge my family who support me all the time. I can see my dad up there and my mum and my sister and my amazing partner.
‘I love you all so much and my second family, my I Swear family, thank you so much for letting me tell your story. John Davidson is the most amazing person I have ever met.’
Robert Aramayo’s father said that it was like hearing your son had been picked to play football for Barcelona when his boy got into New York’s Juilliard School. He was the only Brit among 4,000 admitted.
