Brendan Gleeson(born 29 March 1955) is an Irish actor. He has receivedvarious accolades,including aPrimetime Emmy Award,twoBritish Independent Film Awardsand threeIFTA Awards,along with nominations for anAcademy Award,threeBAFTA Awardsand fiveGolden Globe Awards.In 2020, he was listed at number 18 onThe Irish Timeslist of Ireland's greatest film actors.[1]He is the father of actorsDomhnall GleesonandBrian Gleeson.[1]

Brendan Gleeson
Born(1955-03-29)29 March 1955(age 69)
Dublin,Ireland
Alma materUniversity College Dublin
Occupations
  • Actor
  • film director
Years active1985–present
Spouse
Mary Weldon
(m.1982)
Children4, includingDomhnallandBrian
AwardsFull list

He is known for his supporting roles in films such asBraveheart(1995),Michael Collins(1996),28 Days Later(2002),Gangs of New York(2002),Cold Mountain(2003),Troy(2004), theHarry Potterfilm series(2005–2010),Suffragette(2015),Paddington 2(2017),The Ballad of Buster Scruggs(2018), andThe Tragedy of Macbeth(2021). He is also known for his leading roles in films such asThe General(1998),In Bruges(2008),The Guard(2011),Calvary(2014),Frankie(2019), andThe Banshees of Inisherin(2022) for which he received a nomination for theAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

He won aPrimetime Emmy Awardin 2009 for his portrayal ofWinston Churchillin the television filmInto the Storm.He also received aGolden Globe Awardnomination for his performance asDonald Trumpin theShowtimeseriesThe Comey Rule(2020). From 2017 to 2019 he starred in the crime seriesMr. Mercedes.He received anEmmy Awardnomination forStephen Frears'Sundance TVseriesState of the Union(2022).

Early life

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Gleeson was born inDublin,the son of Pat (1925–2007) and Frank Gleeson (1918–2010).[2]Gleeson has described himself as having been an avid reader as a child.[3]He received his second-level education at St Joseph's CBS inFairview, Dublinwhere he was a member of the school drama group. He received hisBachelor of ArtsatUniversity College Dublin,majoring inEnglishandIrish.After training as an actor, he worked for several years as a secondary school teacher of Irish and English at the now defunctCatholicBelcamp Collegein northCounty Dublin,which closed in 2004.[4][5]He was working simultaneously as an actor while teaching, doing semi-professional and professional productions in Dublin and surrounding areas. He left the teaching profession to commit full-time to acting in 1991. In anNPRinterview to promoteCalvaryin 2014, Gleeson stated he was molested as a child by aChristian Brotherin primary school but was in "no way traumatised by the incident."[6]During his twenties he playedGaelic footballas a full-forward forSt Finian'sof Swords.[7]

Career

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Brendan Gleeson, September 2005

As a member of the Dublin-based Passion Machine Theatre company, Gleeson appeared in several of the theatre company's early and highly successful plays such asBrownbread(1987), written byRoddy Doyleand directed byPaul Mercier,Wasters(1985) andHome(1988), written and directed by Paul Mercier. He has also written three plays for Passion Machine:The Birdtable(1987) andBreaking Up(1988), both of which he directed, andBabies and Bathwater(1994) in which he acted.[8]Among his other Dublin theatre work arePatrick Süskind's one-man playThe Double BassandJohn B. Keane'sThe Year of the Hiker.

Gleeson started his film career at the age of 34.[9]He first came to prominence in Ireland for his role asMichael CollinsinThe Treaty,a television film broadcast onRTÉ One,and for which he won aJacob's Awardin 1992. He has acted in such films asBraveheart,I Went Down,Michael Collins,Gangs of New York,Cold Mountain,28 Days Later,Troy,Kingdom of Heaven,Lake Placid,A.I. Artificial Intelligence,Mission: Impossible 2,andThe Village.He won critical acclaim for his performance as Irish gangsterMartin CahillinJohn Boorman's 1998 filmThe General.

In 2003, Gleeson was the voice of Hugh the Miller in an episode of theChannel 4animated seriesWilde Stories.[10]While Gleeson portrayed Irish statesman Michael Collins inThe Treaty,he later portrayed Collins' close collaboratorLiam Tobinin the filmMichael CollinswithLiam Neesontaking the role of Collins.[11]Gleeson later went on to portrayWinston ChurchillinInto the Storm.Gleeson won anEmmy Awardfor his performance. Gleeson played Barty Crouch Jr impersonatingHogwartsprofessorMad-Eye Moodyin thefourth,and Alastor Moody himself infifthandseventhHarry Potterfilms.His sonDomhnallplayedBill Weasleyin the seventh and eighth films.

Brendan with his sonDomhnall Gleesonat theToronto Film Festival2015

Gleeson provided the voice of Abbot Cellach inThe Secret of Kells,an animated film co-directed byTomm MooreandNora TwomeyofCartoon Saloonwhich premiered in February 2009 at theJamesonDublin International Film Festival.[12]Gleeson starred in the short filmSix Shooterin 2006, which won anAcademy Award for Best Live Action Short Film.This film was written and directed byMartin McDonagh.In 2008, Gleeson starred in the comedy crime filmIn Bruges,also written and directed by McDonagh. The film, and Gleeson's performance, enjoyed huge critical acclaim, earning Gleeson several award nominations, including his first Golden Globe nomination. In the movie, Gleeson plays a mentor-like figure forColin Farrell's hitman. In his review ofIn Bruges,Roger Ebertdescribed the elder Gleeson as having a "noble shambles of a face and the heft of a boxer gone to seed."[13]

In July 2012, he started filmingThe Grand Seduction,withTaylor Kitsch,a remake ofJean-François Pouliot's French-CanadianLa Grande Séduction(2003) directed byDon McKellar;the film was released in 2013.[14]In 2016, he appeared in the video game adaptationAssassin's CreedandBen Affleck's crime dramaLive by Night.In 2017 he finishedPsychic,a short he directed and starred in.[15]In 2022, he reunited withMartin McDonaghin the tragic comedyThe Banshees of Inisherinstarring oppositeColin Farrell.For his performance as Colm Doherty, he has received numerous awards nominations, including theAcademy Award,Golden Globe,andCritics' Choicefor Best Supporting Actor.

Musical talent

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Gleeson is afiddleandmandolinplayer, with an interest inIrish folklore.[3]He played the fiddle during his roles inCold Mountain,Michael Collins,The Grand Seduction,andThe Banshees of Inisherin,and also features onAltan's 2009 live album.[16]In the Coen brothers'The Ballad of Buster Scruggs(2018), Gleeson sings "The Unfortunate Rake".He has also made a contribution in 2019 to the album by Irish folk groupDervishwith a version ofRocky Road To Dublin.

Personal life

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He has been married to Mary Weldon since 1982. They have four sons:Domhnall,Fergus,Brían,and Rory. Domhnall and Brían are also actors.[17]He has one grandson.[18][19]

Gleeson speaks fluentIrishand is an advocate of the promotion of the Irish language. Gleeson is a fan of English football clubAston Villa,as is his son Domhnall.[20]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1990 The Field Quarryman
1992 The Bargain Shop Jim Kennedy
M.A.N.: Matrix Adjusted Normal Dr Abraham Short film
Far and Away Social Club Policeman
Conneely's Choice Josie Conneely Short film
Into the West Inspector Bolger
1995 The Life of Reilly Patient Short film
Braveheart Hamish Campbell
1996 Angela Mooney Dies Again Barney Mooney
Michael Collins Liam Tobin
Trojan Eddie Ginger
1997 Spaghetti Slow Frank Ferguson
Turbulence Stubbs
The Butcher Boy Father Bubbles
A Further Gesture Richard
I Went Down Bunny Kelly
Before I Sleep John Harte Short film
1998 The General Martin Cahill
The Tale of Sweety Barrett Sweet Barrett
1999 This Is My Father Garda Jim
Lake Placid Sheriff Hank Keough
My Life So Far Jim Menries
2000 Mission: Impossible 2 John C. McCloy
Harrison's Flowers Marc Stevenson
Saltwater Simple Simon
Wild About Harry Harry McKee
2001 J.J. Biker
Cáca Milis Pól Short film
Irish-language; English:Cake
The Tailor of Panama Michelangelo "Mickie" Abraxas
A.I. Artificial Intelligence Lord Johnson-Johnson
2002 28 Days Later Frank
Gangs of New York Walter "Monk" McGinn
Dark Blue Jack Van Meter
2003 Cold Mountain Stobrod Thewes
2004 In My Country De Jager
Troy Menelaus
The Village August Nicholson
Six Shooter Donnelly Short film
2005 Kingdom of Heaven Raynald of Châtillon
Breakfast on Pluto John Joe Kenny
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody
2006 Studs Walter Keegan
The Tiger's Tail Liam O'Leary
2007 Black Irish Desmond
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody
Beowulf Wiglaf Motion-capture
2008 In Bruges Ken
2009 The Secret of Kells Abbot Cellach Voice
Perrier's Bounty Darren Perrier
2010 Green Zone Martin Brown
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody
Noreen Con Keogh Short film
2011 The Guard Sergeant Gerry Boyle
Albert Nobbs Dr Holloran
The Cup Dermot Weld
2012 Safe House David Barlow
The Raven Captain Charles Hamilton
The Pirates! In an Adventure with Scientists! Pirate with Gout Voice
The Company You Keep Henry Osborne
2013 The Smurfs 2 Victor Doyle
The Grand Seduction Murray French
2014 Calvary Father James Lavelle
Edge of Tomorrow General Brigham
Song of the Sea Conor /Mac Lir Voices; English / Irish versions
Stonehearst Asylum The Alienist
2015 Suffragette Arthur Steed
In the Heart of the Sea OldThomas Nickerson
Pursuit Searbhán
2016 Alone in Berlin Otto Quangel
Trespass Against Us Colby
Atlantic Narrator Voice; Documentary
Live by Night Thomas Coughlin
Assassin's Creed Joseph Lynch
2017 Hampstead Donald Horner
Paddington 2 Knuckles McGinty [21]
2018 Captain Morten and the Spider Queen Father Voice
Psychic Jeremiah Short film; also director
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs Irishman (Clarence) Segment: "The Mortal Remains"
2019 Frankie Jimmy
Ghost in the Graveyard Student / Extra
2021 Riverdance: The Animated Adventure The Huntsman Voice[22]
The Tragedy of Macbeth King Duncan
2022 The Banshees of Inisherin Colm Doherty
2023 A Greyhound of a Girl Paddy Voice[23]
2024 Joker: Folie à Deux Jackie Sullivan

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1989 Dear Sarah Brendan Dowd Television film
1990 Hard Shoulder Lorry Driver
1990 Glenroe Sam Treacy Drama Series - Soap
1991 Saint Oscar Television film
The Treaty Michael Collins
In the Border Country Farmer
1993 The Snapper Lester
Screenplay Thomas Macken Episode: "Love Lies Bleeding"
1994 The Lifeboat Leslie Parry 9 episodes
1995 Kidnapped Red Fox Television film
1998 Making the Cut Flanagan
2005 Jakers! The Adventures of Piggley Winks Uncle Ferny Voice; Episodes: "Wish Upon A Story: Part 1 and 2"
2009 Into the Storm Winston Churchill HBOTelevision film
2010 1916 Seachtar na Cásca Narrator Voice; Documentary series
2017–2019 Mr. Mercedes Bill Hodges Lead Role; 30 episodes
2020 The Comey Rule Donald Trump 2 episodes
2021 Frank of Ireland Liam Episode: "Memento Mary"
2022 State of the Union Scott 10 episodes
Saturday Night Live Himself (host) Episode: "Brendan Gleeson/Willow"
TBA Spider-Noir TBA Filming[24][25]

Theatre

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Year Title Role Playwright Venue
1987 Brownbread Mr. Farrell Roddy Doyle Passion Machine Theatre Company, Dublin
1989 War George Passion Machine Theatre Company, Dublin

Awards and nominations

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References

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  1. ^abClarke, Donald; Brady, Tara."The 50 greatest Irish film actors of all time – in order".The Irish Times.Retrieved24 September2020.
  2. ^"The heart of the matter"Archived11 November 2014 at theWayback Machine17 February 2011, RTE.ie
  3. ^abIn Conversations with Eamon scruphyArchived20 April 2009 at theWayback Machine10 November 2007, RTÉ
  4. ^"School is out for Brandon Gleeson",23 July 1999, Entertainment Weekly
  5. ^"Gannon to get €400m for Belcamp College site"Archived4 November 2010 at theWayback Machine10 September 2006, Business Post
  6. ^"Brendan Gleeson reveals abuse by Christian Brother".Independent.ie.12 August 2014.
  7. ^Scully, Niall (31 July 2024)."How the lessons of his footballing days followed Brendan Gleeson in his acting career".Irish Independent.
  8. ^"Irish Theatre Institute's Playography database".Irish Theatre Institute. Archived fromthe originalon 8 March 2016.Retrieved20 May2016.
  9. ^"STARS WHO HIT IT BIG AFTER 30".The Hype. Archived fromthe originalon 23 August 2013.
  10. ^"The Devoted Friend".Wilde Stories.Channel 4.Retrieved30 December2011.
  11. ^Brendan GleesonArchived17 November 2007 at theWayback Machineon Foodandwine.net
  12. ^"THE SECRET OF KELLS to screen at the Dublin International Film Festival"10 December 2008, Irish Film Board web site
  13. ^Review ofIn BrugesArchived9 October 2012 at theWayback Machineby Ebert at Rogerebrt.com
  14. ^Fleming, Mike (30 July 2012)."Brendan Gleeson, Taylor Kitsch Find 'The Grand Seduction'".Deadline Hollywood.PMC.Retrieved25 August2012.
  15. ^"Shooting Wraps on Brendan Gleeson's Debut Short Film, Psychic | Irish Film Board".Archived fromthe originalon 18 December 2017.Retrieved11 November2017.
  16. ^"Altan EPK".Mpibands.com. Archived fromthe originalon 9 October 2011.Retrieved1 February2012.
  17. ^"Capturing the Glee factor"Archived24 October 2012 at theWayback Machine,16 July 2011,The Irish Times
  18. ^"Sunday Miscellany: Birth registration for Tadhg, by Rory Gleeson".RTÉ.ie.22 January 2024.
  19. ^"Domhnall Gleeson: 'I never saw myself as attractive, until my dad told me I should'".Independent.co.uk.10 February 2024.
  20. ^"Star Wars actor Gleeson: Villa Wembley win was special day"Archived16 May 2015 at theWayback Machine,13 May 2015, Aston Villa
  21. ^"Hugh Grant joins Paddington sequel as shooting begins".Sky News.Retrieved24 September2020.
  22. ^Vlessing, Etan (11 September 2020)."Pierce Brosnan, Lilly Singh, Brendan Gleeson to Voice 'Riverdance: The Animated Adventure' Feature (Exclusive)".The Hollywood Reporter.Retrieved12 September2020.
  23. ^"A Greyhound Of A Girl heads to the 73rd Berlin Film Festival".Scannain.com.8 February 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 10 February 2023.Retrieved19 February2023.
  24. ^Otterson, Joe (9 July 2024)."Spider-Man Noir Series at Amazon, MGM+ Casts Brendan Gleeson".Variety.Archivedfrom the original on 9 July 2024.Retrieved13 August2024.
  25. ^Canfield, David (12 August 2024)."Lamorne Morris Levels Up: 'I Want to Be Morgan Freeman'".Vanity Fair.Archivedfrom the original on 12 August 2024.Retrieved13 August2024.
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