Famous Irish Actors
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For all you James Bond fans, the Bond movie franchise wouldn’t be half as appealing and interesting as it is had it not been for Pierce Brosnan, the actor who took the league of the ‘007’ movies ahead. But did you know that this Hollywood superstar is actually Irish? Don’t get stunned for this is just the beginning of lots more Irish actors who are doing wonders at the big screen. Do you know that ‘Taken’ actor Liam Neeson who starred in ‘Batman Begins’, ‘Star Wars’ and ‘Schindler’s List’ originally worked as forklift operator for Guinness? He also served as a truck driver, assistant architect and amateur boxer before finally making his footfall in theatre. Since his debut in ‘The Risen People’, there has been no looking back for Neeson. Jonathan Rhys Meyers is a jewel of Ireland’s acting fraternity. Crowned as the best actor of Ireland in 2008, Meyers has been one of the most talented actors that Ireland has been served as the home of. ‘Mission Impossible III’, ‘Match Point’, ‘Bend It Like Beckham’ are some of the most prolific films of this ace actor. Check this link further to find out more about Irish actors, their life, works and profile.
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1
Cillian Murphy(One of the Greatest Irish Actors Who is Known for His Collaboration With Director Christopher Nolan)
Birthdate: May 25, 1976
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Douglas, Ireland
Cillian Murphy is one of the greatest Irish film actors. He has done some of his best work in collaboration with director Christopher Nolan. The includes The Dark Knight Trilogy, Inception and Dunkirk. Cillian was also the lead singer, guitarist, and lyricist of the rock band The Sons of Mr. Green Genes
2
Pierce Brosnan(Best Known for His Role of the Secret Agent 'James Bond' in the 'Bond' Film Series)
Birthdate: May 16, 1953
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Drogheda, Ireland
Irish-American actor and film producer Pierce Brosnan is best known for playing secret agent James Bond in the Bond film series. As a young man, he trained at the Drama Centre London and made his acting debut soon after. First gaining fame as a TV actor, he didn’t take long to enter films as well.
Birthdate: April 2, 1977
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Heidelberg, Germany
Michael Fassbender is a critically-acclaimed Irish-German actor best known for playing a sex addict in the psychological erotic drama film Shame. Apart from being an actor, Michael is also a well-known racing driver; he started his auto racing career in 2017 and currently races for Proton Competition in the European Le Mans Series.
4
Daniel Day-Lewis(British Actor and Only Person to Have Won Three 'Academy Awards for Best Actor')
Birthdate: April 29, 1957
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Kensington, London, England
Retired English actor, Daniel Day-Lewis, is widely regarded as one of the best cinema actors. Known for his dedication to method acting, he has entertained audience with both positive and negative roles. His work in movies like My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, Lincoln and Gangs of New York have won him fame, critical acclaim and numerous prestigious awards.
Birthdate: May 31, 1976
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Castleknock, Ireland
Colin Farrell is one of the most popular and celebrated Irish actors. He was ranked fifth in The Irish Times newspaper's Ireland's greatest film actors list in 2020. Known for his casanova image, Colin has also had drug addiction problems and suffers from insomnia. In 2006, he filed a lawsuit against Nicole Narain for releasing their 13-minute sex tape.
6
Martin Sheen
(Best Known for His Role in the Film 'Apocalypse Now' and TV Series 'The West Wing')
Birthdate: August 3, 1940
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dayton, Ohio, United States
One of the most celebrated actors of Hollywood, Martin Sheen has won multiple Emmys and Golden Globes. Best known to fans as Captain Benjamin Willard from Apocalypse Now, he has also been involved in countless protests against nuclear power and strongly opposes abortion, capital punishment, and euthanasia.
Birthdate: October 1, 1930
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Limerick, Ireland
Died: October 25, 2002
A multitalented personality, Richard Harris was an Irish actor, singer, director and writer. He began as a stage actor and later moved to films. His famous films include This Sporting Life, Camelot, A Man Called Horse, Gladiator and the first two Harry Potter films. He released numerous musical albums, published a poetry book and ventured into film direction with Bloomfield.
8
Domhnall Gleeson(Known for His Role as Bill Weasley in 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 & Part 2')
Birthdate: May 12, 1983
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Born to award-winning Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson initially gained fame with his Tony-nominated role in the Broadway play The Lieutenant of Inishmore. However, he is best known to audiences as Bill Weasley from the Harry Potter film series. He has also been part of series such as Black Mirror.
9
Brendan Gleeson(Actor and Director Best Known for His Role as ‘Alastor Moody’ in the ‘Harry Potter’ Films)
Birthdate: March 29, 1955
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
One of the most talented Irish film actors of all time, Brendan Gleeson gained international attention after playing Alastor Moody in the Harry Potter movie series. He was ranked 18th in The Irish Times' Ireland's greatest film actors list in 2020. Brendan Gleeson is also credited with inspiring his sons Domhnall and Brian Gleeson to become actors.
10
Michael Gambon(Best Known for His Role as Professor ‘Albus Dumbledore’ in the ‘Harry Potter' Film Series)
Birthdate: October 19, 1940
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Cabra, Ireland
Actor Michael Gambon is best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the popular Harry Potter movie series. Not surprisingly, Gambon is one of the most recognized faces in the world and a favorite actor among Harry Potter fans. Ranked 28th in Ireland's greatest film actors list published by The Irish Times, Gambon was knighted for hisservices to drama, in 1998.
11
Robert Sheehan(Irish Actor Best Known for His TV Shows: ‘Misfits’ and 'The Umbrella Academy')
Birthdate: January 7, 1988
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Portlaoise, Ireland
An Irish actor who is counted among the country’s greatest actors, Robert Sheehan has received multiple Irish Film and Television Award and BAFTA Award nominations. Interested in performing from a young age, he studied film and television before beginning his career. He is known for questioning gender norms in the acting industry.
Birthdate: April 24, 1968
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Aidan Gillen is best known as Petyr Baelish from the iconic series Game of Thrones and as Tommy Carcetti from The Wire. He has also appeared in Project Blue Book, Peaky Blinders, and the Maze Runner movies. A talented theater actor, he has earned a Drama Desk Award nomination, too.
Birthdate: July 27, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Drimnagh, Dublin, Ireland
Jonathan Rhys Meyers is best known for his Golden Globe-winning portrayal of Elvis Presley in the miniseries Elvis. Fans also loved him as King Henry VIII in The Tudors and as the titular character in Dracula. The Irish Post Legend Award-winner has worked with Hope Foundation and endorsed Hugo Boss.
14
Aidan Turner(Irish Actor Best Known for His Role as ‘Dante Gabriel Rossetti’ in the TV Series ‘Desperate Romantics’)
Birthdate: June 9, 1983
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Clondalkin, Ireland
Aidan Turner is best known as Ross Poldark from the series Poldark and Kili from The Hobbit movie franchise. He has also played English poet Dante in Desperate Romantics. A skilled stage artist, he has also made waves in the Dublin theater scene, appearing in plays such as Titus Andronicus.
Birthdate: October 9, 1979
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland
Birthdate: May 12, 1950
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Walkinstown, Dublin, Ireland
Irish actor Gabriel Byrne is best known for his Golden Globe-winning and Emmy-nominated role of Dr. Paul Weston in the series In Treatment. He has also been part of movies such as Stigmata and End of Days. He is also a seasoned theater actor and has narrated several audiobooks.
17
Stuart Townsend(Irish Actor & Director Known for His Role as ‘Lestat de Lioncourt’ in the Film ‘Queen of the Damned’)
Birthdate: December 15, 1972
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Howth, County Dublin, Ireland
Stuart Townsend is best known as Lestat de Lioncourt from Queen of the Damned and as Dorian Gray from The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen. He quit acting in 2015 and became a car garage owner in Costa Rica but later returned with the series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
18
Patrick McGoohan
(Actor Known for His Roles as ‘Dr. Paul Ruth’ in Scanners (1981) & ‘King Edward I’ in Braveheart (1995))
Birthdate: March 19, 1928
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Astoria, New York, United States
Died: January 13, 2009
Though born in the US, Patrick McGoohan moved to the US with his family as a child and later became one of Britain’s best-known actors. Fans loved him as John Drake in Danger Man and as Number Six in The Prisoner. He is also known for his Emmy-winning performance in the series Columbo.
Birthdate: October 18, 1992
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Summerhill, Dublin, Ireland
20
Paul Mescal(Famous for His Portrayal of 'Calum Paterson' in the movie 'Aftersun')
Birthdate: February 2, 1996
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Maynooth, Ireland
21
Jimmy Carr
(Actor, Comedian, Television presenter)
Birthdate: September 15, 1972
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: London, England
Jimmy Carr is one of the biggest selling live comedians of Britain. The award-winning performer is best known for shows such as 8 Out of 10 Cats and jokes about everything from politics to sex. He has gained fame for his signature deadpan delivery, his high-pitched laughter, and his dark humor.
Birthdate: November 14, 1987
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
23
Colin O’Donoghue(Actor and Musician Known for His Role as ‘Captain Hook’ in the TV Series ‘Once Upon a Time’)
Birthdate: January 26, 1981
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Drogheda, Ireland
Identified as the “Best New Talent” of Ireland at the age of 23, Colin Arthur O'Donoghue attracted the attention of TV viewers with his performance in the TV show Once Upon a Time aired on ABC network and went on to star in the movie, The Rite, and Netflix series, Heartstrings. The actor and musician was also a member of the Irish band The Enemies.
24
Jack Gleeson(Irish Actor Best Known for His Role as Joffrey Baratheon on the HBO TV Series ‘Game of Thrones’)
Birthdate: May 20, 1992
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Cork, Ireland
Irish actor Jack Gleeson soared to fame with his portrayal of Joffrey Baratheon in the iconic series Game of Thrones. He later switched to independent theater and appeared in the BBC miniseries Out of Her Mind. The Trinity College alumnus later also co-established the Collapsing Horse Theatre Company.
25
Colm Meaney(Best Known for His Role as ‘Miles O'Brien’ in the TV Series ‘Star Trek: The Next Generation’)
Birthdate: May 30, 1953
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Colm Meaney is an actor known for portraying Miles O'Brien in TV series, such as Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Also known for his significant film career, Meaney received the Best Actor IFTA for playing Martin McGuinness in The Journey. Meaney was named in The Irish Times' Ireland's greatest film actors list in 2020.
26
Liam Cunningham
(Best Known for Playing Davos Seaworth in the HBO Epic-Fantasy Series 'Game of Thrones')
Birthdate: June 2, 1961
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Initially an electrician who worked at a Zimbabwean safari park, Liam Cunningham changed his luck by applying for an acting school after coming across an ad. The Irish actor is known for his signature stare and thick Irish accent and became internationally renowned as Davos Seaworth in Game of Thrones.
Birthdate: November 11, 1984
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Birthdate: December 2, 1963
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Corby, Northamptonshire, England
29
Adrian Dunbar
(Actor Known for Playing ‘Ted Hastings’ in the BBC Show ‘Line of Duty')
Birthdate: August 1, 1958
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Best known for his award-winning performance as Ted Hastings from the BBC series Line of Duty, Adrian Dunbar has also entertained audiences with his roles in Ashes to Ashes and Broken. The Guildhall alumnus has also been nominated for the BAFTA twice and has also directed plays.
30
Micheal Richardson
(Actor)
Birthdate: June 22, 1995
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Birthdate: 1992 AD
Birthplace: Ireland
32
Brendan O'Carroll
(Known for Portraying Foul-Mouthed Matriarch Agnes Brown in the Sitcom 'Mrs. Brown’s Boys')
Birthdate: September 17, 1955
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Finglas, Dublin, Ireland
Apart from being a comedian, Brendan O'Carroll is also a fine writer. Best known as Agnes Brown from the sitcom Mrs. Brown's Boys, he later played the role in various spin-offs and a couple of movies too. He has also penned several books and screenplays.
Birthdate: August 6, 1972
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Sandycove, Dublin, Republic of Ireland Ireland
34
Kristian Nairn
(DJ and Actor)
Birthdate: November 25, 1975
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Lisburn, Northern Ireland
35
Art Parkinson(Irish Actor Known for His Role as 'Art Parkinson' in the HBO Fantasy Series 'Game of Thrones')
Birthdate: October 19, 2001
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Moville, Ireland
Although he impressed audiences as Rickon Stark in Game of Thrones, child actor Art Parkinson was not allowed to watch the series due to its adult content. The Irish actor has also appeared in films such as San Andreas and voiced a character in Kubo and the Two Strings.
36
Dylan Moran(Irish Comedian and Actor Known for His Films: ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and ‘Run Fatboy Run’)
Birthdate: November 3, 1971
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Navan, Ireland
Known for his signature disheveled hair and his love for cigarettes and wine, Dylan Moran started off as a stand-up comic, after being unemployed for a few years. At 24, he became the second-youngest recipient of the Perrier Comedy Award. He created the BAFTA-winning show Black Books.
Birthdate: July 9, 1991
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Howth, County Dublin, Ireland
38
Michael McElhatton
(Actor)
Birthdate: September 12, 1963
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Birthdate: March 21, 1974
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Galway
Irish author, director, and broadcaster Conor Woodman is best known for hosting the TV show Around the World in 80 Trades. Starting his career as a financial analyst, he eventually became an investigative journalist. With time, he branched out into film-making as well. Also a fiction writer, he is planning to launch a novel series soon.
Birthdate: July 29, 1982
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Birthdate: May 28, 1980
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Sligo, Ireland
Birthdate: June 11, 1919
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: December 3, 2009
Richard Todd was an Irish actor best remembered for his portrayal of Corporal Lachlan MacLachlan in the movie The Hasty Heart, for which he won a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination. One of the most bankable actors of his generation, Richard Todd was frequently listed among the most popular British stars throughout the 1950s.
Birthdate: January 1, 1981
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
While he gained fame as the titular character in BBC’s Robin Hood, Irish-born actor Jonas Armstrong also broke his foot while filming a fight scene for the series. Blessed with a penchant for mastering different accents, he has bagged plum roles in series such as Ripper Street and The Drowning.
Birthdate: November 26, 1910
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Durban, South Africa
Died: October 7, 1993
45
Killian Scott
(Film actor)
Birthdate: July 6, 1985
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Kilmallock, Limerick, Ireland
46
Patrick Gibson
(Actor, Television actor)
Birthdate: April 19, 1995
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Ireland
47
Emmett J. Scanlan
(Film actor)
Birthdate: January 31, 1979
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Clontarf Dublin, Ireland
48
Wilfrid Brambell(Actor and Comedian Best Known for His Long-Running BBC TV Sitcom ‘Steptoe and Son’)
Birthdate: March 22, 1912
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Dublin, Ireland
Died: January 18, 1985
Wilfrid Brambell is best known for teaming up with Harry H, Corbett in the sitcom Steptoe and Son. Known for his love for alcohol, Brambell was also secretly gay and was arrested for getting intimate with a man in a toilet, as homosexuality was still illegal in Britain back then.
49
Ferdia Walsh-Peelo
(Actor)
Birthdate: October 12, 1999
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Ashford, Ireland
50
Stephen McKinley Henderson
(Actor)
Birthdate: August 31, 1949
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Kansas City, USA
Best known for his work in the plays of August Wilson, actor Stephen McKinley Henderson has also impressed audiences with his roles in movies such as Lincoln and Dune. The Juilliard-educated actor has also been nominated for a Tony Award for his role in the play Fences.