Irish actors born in 1919
Here are 5 famous actors from Republic of Ireland were born in 1919:
Richard Todd
Richard Todd (June 11, 1919 Dublin-December 3, 2009 Little Humby) also known as Richard Andrew Palethorpe-Todd, Richard Todd OBE or Richard Andrew Palethorpe Todd was an Irish actor, soldier and film director. He had five children, Seamus Palethorpe-Todd, Peter Palethorpe-Todd, Andrew Palethorpe-Todd, Flora Palethorpe-Todd and Jeremy Palethorpe-Todd.
Todd is best known for his leading roles in several World War II films such as "The Dam Busters" and "The Hasty Heart" which earned him a Best Actor nomination at the Academy Awards. He also starred in numerous other films including "The Longest Day" and "The Virgin Queen". However, despite his successful acting career, Todd often spoke about his time serving in the British Army during World War II as being the most defining period of his life. After the war, he continued to support military causes and was awarded the OBE in 1993 for his services to drama and to charity. Todd passed away at the age of 90 due to cancer.
Dan O'Herlihy
Dan O'Herlihy (May 1, 1919 Wexford-February 17, 2005 Malibu) also known as Daniel O'Herlihy, Dan O'Helihy or Dan O'Herilhy was an Irish actor and voice actor. He had four children, Patricia O'Herlihy, Cormac O'Herlihy, Gavin O'Herlihy and Lorcan O'Herlihy.
O'Herlihy began his acting career in theater, performing with the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. He later moved to London and then to New York, where he made his Broadway debut in 1947 in the play "Harvest of Years."
O'Herlihy appeared in more than 100 films and television shows throughout his career, including the classic films "Robinson Crusoe," "Heller in Pink Tights," "The Young Lions," and "Fail-Safe." He also appeared in the television series "The Twilight Zone," "Murder, She Wrote," and "The A-Team."
In 1954, O'Herlihy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the film "Adventures of Robinson Crusoe," in which he played the title role. He also won a Primetime Emmy Award in 1984 for his performance in the television movie "An Early Frost."
Aside from his acting career, O'Herlihy was also an accomplished painter and sculptor. He passed away at the age of 85 due to natural causes.
Reginald Hearne
Reginald Hearne (January 28, 1919 Cork-March 9, 2003) a.k.a. Reggie Hearne was an Irish actor.
He began his acting career in the 1940s and appeared in numerous films and television shows. Some of his notable film credits include "The Quiet Man" (1952), "The Black Knight" (1954), and "The Blue Max" (1966). Hearne was also a talented stage actor, appearing in productions in Ireland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. He was known for his versatile and powerful performances, and was highly regarded by his peers in the industry. In addition to his acting work, Hearne was also involved in various charitable organizations and was a popular figure in the Irish arts community.
Michael Laurence
Michael Laurence (April 7, 1919 Dublin-November 19, 1988 New York City) otherwise known as Michael Laurence Clarke was an Irish actor, film director and screenwriter.
He began his career in the 1940s as a stage actor in Dublin before moving to London in the 1950s, where he continued to perform in theatres and on television. His breakthrough performance came in the 1962 film "The Counterfeit Traitor" where he played the role of a Swedish industrialist. He went on to star in several other films including "The Wind Cannot Read" and "The Scalphunters."
In addition to his acting career, Laurence also directed and wrote several films, including "The Crooked Road" and "He Who Rides a Tiger." He was a co-founder of the Dublin-based company Gemini Productions and served as artistic director of the Lyric Theatre in Belfast.
Laurence was also an accomplished author and published several books, including a biography of his friend and fellow actor Richard Burton. He was married to Irish actress Siobhan McKenna from 1955 until her death in 1986. Laurence passed away in 1988 following a battle with cancer.
Maxwell Reed
Maxwell Reed (April 2, 1919 Larne-August 16, 1974 London) was an Irish actor.
Reed started his career in the film industry in 1942 and became a prominent actor in the 1940s and 1950s. He appeared in several films such as "The Man Within" (1947), "The Story of Shirley Yorke" (1948), and "The Scarlet Web" (1954).
However, he is best known for his marriage to the British actress Joan Collins. They were married in 1952 and became known as a glamour couple in British films. Their marriage was controversial because Reed was reportedly physically abusive towards Collins. They divorced in 1956, and the details of their relationship were made public in Collins' memoir.
Reed's career declined after their divorce, and he struggled with alcoholism and financial issues. He died of a heart attack in 1974 at the age of 55.