Robert Hartley was born and raised in West Yorkshire, England. After leaving High School he studied for two years at Wakefield College and graduated with a Btec National Diploma in Performing Arts (Acting). Soon after this he moved to New Zealand where he studied at Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School and graduated with a Bachelor in Performing Arts (Acting) in late 2010. He has been living and working in New Zealand since then.