Who is Peter Gallagher? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Peter Killian Gallagher

Age: 68 Years, 68 Year Old Males

Family:

Spouse/Ex-: Paula Harwood (m. 1983)

father: Thomas Francis Gallagher, Jr. (June 10, 1912 - November 16, 1999)

mother: 1915 - June 6, 2004)

children: James Gallagher, Kathryn Gallagher

Actors Screenwriters

Height: 5'9" (175 cm), 5'9" Males

Ancestry: Irish American

U.S. State: New Yorkers

Notable Alumni: Tufts University

More Facts

education: Tufts University

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Career

In 1977, just after his graduation, Peter Gallagher made his debut in a Broadway revival of ‘Hair’. In the following year, he appeared in another top Broadway show ‘Grease’ as the lead, Danny Zuko. In 1979, he was signed to appear in an NBC television series ‘Guiding Light’ and made his film debut in the movie ‘The Idolmaker’ in 1980. The same year, he appeared in the TV series ‘Skag’, followed by a movie titled ‘Summer Lovers’ in 1982, which proved to be a miserable flop, prompting him to return to the stage. The same year, he appeared in the Broadway musical ‘A Doll's Life’ for which he won a ‘Theatre World Award’.

In 1984, he appeared on Broadway in Tom Stoppard's ‘The Real Thing’ and earned a ‘Clarence Derwent Award’. In 1985, he returned to the big screen with the Dennis Potter-scripted ‘Dreamchild’. He earned a Tony nomination for Featured Actor for his work in a controversial revival of ‘Long Day's Journey into Night’ (1986). After making appearances in several films, he first gained fame for his role in ‘Sex, Lies, and Videotape’ (1989). He returned to the stage with ‘Guys and Dolls’ in 1992 and was nominated for ‘Drama Desk Award’ for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. He went on to appear in the films ‘Bob Roberts’ (1992), ‘Short Cuts’ (1993), ‘The Underneath’ (1995), ‘Malice’ (1993), ‘While You Were Sleeping’ ( 1995), ‘To Gillian on Her 37th Birthday’ (1996), ‘American Beauty’ (2000) and ‘Mr. Deeds’ (2002) before taking up a role on Fox's highly touted nighttime soap ‘The O.C.’ (2003-07).

In 2005, he released an album named ‘7 Days in Memphis’ which included his previously recorded performance of "Don't Give Up On Me". He also made a video of his single "Still I Long For Your Kiss", starring his TV-wife Kelly Rowan along with him. From February 13 to July 15, 2015, he starred on Broadway in ‘On the Twentieth Century’ although he missed several performances in late February due to an illness. His TV credits in the 2000s and beyond include ‘The Gathering’ (2007), ‘Rescue Me’ (2010), ‘Togetherness’ (2015-16), ‘Grace and Frankie’ (2017-present), and ‘The Gifted’ (2018). In 2019, he appeared as Brian Foster in the TV show ‘The Conners’ and as Ken Scott in the film ‘After’.

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Family & Personal Life

Peter Gallagher was born on August 19, 1955, in New York City, USA to Mary Ann (née O'Shea) and Thomas Francis Gallagher, Jr. His mother was a bacteriologist, and his father was an advertising executive. He is the youngest of their three children. The family is of Irish Catholic descent. His family moved to Armonk, New York where he took part in high school plays. He graduated from Tufts University in Boston as an economics major.

He married his longtime love, Paula Harwood, on May 7, 1983. The couple had met at Tufts University. They are happily married, and Gallagher states that he derives strength and motivation from his wife. The couple has two children: a daughter named Kathryn Gallagher and a son named James Gallagher. His daughter is also a successful personality in the film and music industry.

In 2005, for his exceptional work in the field of media and entertainment, he was honored with the ‘P.T. Barnum Award’ from Tufts University, and also received the ‘Light on the Hill Award’ from the same university in 2007. The ‘Light on the Hill Award’ is given to notable alumni from Tufts who have demonstrated achievement, ambition, and active citizenship.

Peter Gallagher Biography