Murdered Harry Potter actor commemorated with cinema memorial

A young Harry Potter actor from Bromley who was murdered in 2008 has been commemorated with a special memorial at a Picturehouse cinema.

Rob Knox was commemorated with a framed portrait which was unveiled by his parents Colin Knox and Sally Holder at the Picturehouse Cinema in High Street, Bromley, on Saturday.

The memorial stands in the bar area of the cinema, now affectionately known as “Rob’s corner”.  

Friends and colleagues from the film industry were in attendance, including Aaron Truss, co-director of Rob Knox London Film Festival and feature filmmaker Jake West.

Mr Truss said: “Today’s unveiling of Rob’s memorial was an emotional one. 

“Overlooking Bowie’s Bar – named after David Bowie – we now have Rob’s corner, a place for the public to come and pay their respects, have a coffee, meet with friends or even just escape from the world.

“It touches my heart to have been in a room with so much love and respect for a talented human being such as Rob.”

Rising star Mr Knox found his breakthrough role in Harry Potter and the Half Prince, playing Marcus Belby in 2008.

But just days after filming, at only 18 years old, he was stabbed to death outside a club in Sidcup, trying to protect his younger brother.

Karl Bishop was sentenced to life in prison for murdering Mr Knox in March, 2009. He was given three other life sentences for wounding Mr Knox’s friends in the attack.

The tragic event made headlines and highlighted the continued concerns about knife crime.

This led to Rob’s father, Colin Knox, forming the Rob Knox Foundation as well as the Rob Knox London Film Festival in his honour.

The Rob Knox Foundation works in partnership with the Charlton Athletic Community Trust on the Street Violence Ruins Lives campaign.

At the event on Saturday, Mr Truss and Alice Amata, the directors of the Rob Knox London Film Festival, announced the festival will be moving from its former home in Elephant and Castle to Bromley Picturehouse from next year.

At the unveiling, Mr Knox’s mother, Mrs Holder, 66, said: “I’m so pleased the Rob Knox London Film Festival is now in Rob’s home in the borough of Bromley. 

“Thank you to Picturehouse for supporting us and providing a permanent memorial to Rob”.

The festival will take place on July 5, 2025 when it partners with Italia Conti, which will screen and showcase young and upcoming talent within the arts. 

Commemorations to celebrate Mr Knox’s life and legacy will also be highlighted next autumn when the Picturehouse will host a special Q&A screening of the documentary (K)nox: The Rob Knox Story, on October 12.

BAFTA-nominated actor Ray Winstone, who is a patron of the Rob Knox Foundation, will attend the event alongside the film’s director Mr Truss and Mr Knox’s father, Colin. 

Tickets are now on sale: https://www.picturehouses.com/cinema/bromley-picturehouse     

Pictured top: From left, Colin Knox and Sally Holder unveil the memorial to their son, Rob Knox (Picture: Kathy Janet Wieczorek)