Irish actors born in 1961
Here are 7 famous actors from Republic of Ireland were born in 1961:
Liam Cunningham
Liam Cunningham (June 2, 1961 East Wall-) is an Irish actor, electrician, film producer and television director. He has three children, Ellen Cunningham, Liam Cunningham Jr. and Sean Cunningham.
Cunningham was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. He began his acting career in the early 1990s and has since appeared in numerous films and television shows. Some of his most notable roles include Davos Seaworth in the hit HBO series Game of Thrones and John Constantine in the 2005 film The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor. In addition to acting, Cunningham has also worked as an electrician and a film producer. In 2018, he made his directorial debut with the short film, "Leap of Faith." Cunningham is also a humanitarian and has worked with a number of organizations to raise awareness for various causes, including Oxfam and World Vision.
Prior to becoming an actor, Cunningham worked as an electrician for over a decade. He got his start in acting in a local theater group and went on to study at the Gaiety School of Acting. Cunningham has been praised for his work as an actor, often being described as a scene-stealer for his performances in Game of Thrones. In addition to his work on screen, he has also done voice-over work for video games, including the popular game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. Cunningham has been recognized for his philanthropic work, receiving the Oxfam Global Impact Award in 2017 for his advocacy on refugee-related issues. He continues to pursue acting and has several upcoming projects, including the film Nine Days, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival.
Michael Patrick Breen
Michael Patrick Breen (April 14, 1961 Edgware-) is an Irish actor.
He is best known for his roles in the hit TV series "Love/Hate" and the film "The General". Breen began his career in theater before transitioning to film and television. He has appeared in numerous Irish and British productions, including "EastEnders", "The Tudors", and "Father Ted". In addition to his acting career, Breen is also a voice actor and has lent his voice to various video games and animated projects. He continues to work in the entertainment industry and is highly regarded for his talent and dedication.
Breen was born and raised in Edgware, London, to Irish parents. He moved to Ireland in his early twenties to pursue his passion for acting. Breen first gained attention for his stage work, performing with various theater companies throughout Ireland. He made his film debut in the Irish film "The General" in 1998, directed by John Boorman. The film was a critical and commercial success and helped to launch Breen's onscreen career.
Breen's breakthrough role came in the hit Irish crime drama "Love/Hate" where he portrayed the character of Dano. The series became a cultural phenomenon in Ireland and Breen's performance was widely praised. He went on to receive a nomination for Best Supporting Actor in a Television Drama at the Irish Film and Television Awards.
Aside from acting, Breen is also a talented writer and director. He wrote and directed the short film "Halal Daddy" which premiered at the Galway Film Fleadh in 2016. The film was well received and earned Breen a nomination for Best Short Film Script at the Irish Film and Television Awards.
Breen is known for his philanthropic work, particularly his involvement with the Irish charity The Hope Foundation. He has traveled to Kolkata, India several times to work with disadvantaged children and to raise awareness of the charity's mission.
Overall, Michael Patrick Breen is a versatile actor and multi-talented artist who has made a significant impact on the Irish film and television industry.
Larry Mullen, Jr.
Larry Mullen, Jr. (October 31, 1961 Artane, Dublin-) a.k.a. Lawrence Joseph Mullen Jr., Laurence Joseph Mullen Jr., Larry Mullen Jr., Lawrence Joseph Mullen, Jr., Larry Mullen, Larry Mullen Jnr. or Babyface Mullen is an Irish musician, songwriter, drummer, film score composer and actor. He has three children, Ava Mullen, Aaron Elvis Mullen and Ezra Mullen.
He is best known as the drummer and co-founder of the rock band U2, which he formed in 1976 with his school friends Bono, The Edge, and Adam Clayton. Mullen has been the drummer for U2 throughout their entire career, and his dynamic and powerful drumming style is an integral part of the band's sound.
In addition to his work with U2, Mullen has also pursued a successful career as a film score composer, working on films such as "Man on the Train" and "A Thousand Times Good Night". He has also appeared as an actor in several films, including "Man on the Train" and "Entropy".
Mullen has been recognized for his contributions to music with numerous awards and honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with U2 in 2005. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest drummers in the history of rock music and continues to be a major influence on drummers around the world.
Mullen's interest in music started at a young age, and he began playing the drums at the age of nine. He was initially influenced by punk rock, and his early drumming style was heavily influenced by the energy and aggression of punk music. As he developed as a musician, he began to incorporate more complex rhythms and time signatures into his playing, creating a unique and dynamic style that would become a hallmark of U2's sound.
In addition to his work with U2, Mullen has also collaborated with a number of other artists throughout his career, including Daniel Lanois, Brian Eno, and Sinéad O'Connor. He has also released several solo recordings and contributed to soundtracks for films and television shows.
Mullen is known for his philanthropic work, and has been involved in a number of charitable causes over the years. He is an advocate for HIV/AIDS research and prevention, and has been involved with the (RED) campaign since its inception in 2006. He has also been involved with Amnesty International and numerous other organizations focused on human rights issues.
Despite his success and fame, Mullen has remained grounded and committed to his craft. He continues to be an active member of U2 and a respected figure in the music industry, with a legacy that extends far beyond his drumming skills.
Larry Holden
Larry Holden (May 15, 1961 Belfast-February 13, 2011 Orange County) also known as Laurence H. Holden was an Irish actor.
He began his acting career in the 1990s, appearing in several films and television shows such as "Memento," "Insomnia," and "The Dark Knight." He was known for his versatile roles in both villainous and heroic characters. Holden was also a talented writer and producer. He co-wrote and produced the film "Arlington Road" in 1999. Tragically, Holden passed away at the age of 49 from a suspected suicide. His talent and impact on the film industry continue to be remembered and celebrated by fans and colleagues alike.
Holden began his early career as a stand-up comedian and later transitioned to acting in television commercials. He made his film debut in 1994 in the film "Betrayal of the Dove." Holden's breakthrough role came in 2000 when he was cast as Jimmy Grantz in Christopher Nolan's "Memento." His role as the antagonist in the film "Insomnia" and his portrayal of a corrupt police officer in "The Dark Knight" gained him further recognition in Hollywood.
Aside from his acting career, Holden co-founded the production company "Holden + Stevenson" with fellow actor Andrew Stevenson. Their company focused on producing and creating independent films. Holden also wrote and produced the thriller "Dirty Hands" in 2008.
Holden's death was a shock to the entertainment industry, and his colleagues and fans paid tribute to his talent and hard work in the industry. He was remembered as a highly skilled actor and a kind and positive person by those who knew him.
Maurice Gleeson
Maurice Gleeson (June 18, 1961 Dublin-) is an Irish actor.
He was born and raised in Dublin, Ireland. Gleeson has appeared in numerous films, television shows and stage productions throughout his career. Some of his notable film roles include "Assassin's Creed", "The Foreigner" and "Green Zone". On television he has appeared in shows like "Vikings", "Game of Thrones" and "The Tudors".
Aside from acting, Gleeson is also a qualified barrister and regularly works with charities such as the Irish Cancer Society and Children’s Hospice Homecare. He has a passion for history and taught it at Trinity College Dublin for several years.
Gleeson trained at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in London before starting his acting career. He has also received awards such as the Best Actor award at the Durban International Film Festival for his lead role in the film "The Pipe". In addition to his work in film, television, and theatre, Gleeson has also voiced characters in video games such as "Assassin's Creed III" and "Dragon Age: Inquisition". He is known for his versatility as an actor, able to take on a wide range of roles from drama to comedy. Gleeson is married and has three children.
John C. McDonnell
John C. McDonnell (October 27, 1961 Chicago-) also known as John McDonnell or John Charles McDonnell Jr. is an Irish actor and voice actor.
He grew up in both the United States and Ireland, as his parents were Irish immigrants. McDonnell trained at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin and later moved to New York City to pursue his career in acting.
McDonnell has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including "The Departed," "Law & Order," and "The Black Donnellys." He has also lent his voice to several video games, such as "Grand Theft Auto IV" and "Red Dead Redemption II."
In addition to his acting work, McDonnell is also a professor of acting at Pace University in New York City.
McDonnell began his acting career on stage, appearing in several productions in both Ireland and the United States, including a production of "The Cripple of Inishmaan" at the Atlantic Theatre Company in New York City. McDonnell has also appeared in several Off-Broadway productions, including "The Weir," "The Lonesome West," and "The Lieutenant of Inishmore," for which he received critical acclaim for his performance as Padraic.
In addition to his work as an actor and professor of acting, McDonnell has also worked as a dialect coach for several films, including "Gangs of New York," "The Aviator," and "The Departed," working alongside Academy Award-winning director Martin Scorsese.
McDonnell is also an advocate for Irish arts, serving as the co-artistic director of Origin Theatre Company, a New York-based company dedicated to producing contemporary Irish theatre in the U.S.
Overall, McDonnell's diverse career encompasses his work as an actor, voice actor, professor of acting, dialect coach, and advocate for Irish arts.
David Price
David Price (November 17, 1961 Los Angeles-) also known as David E. Price or David F. Price is an Irish film director, film producer, actor, businessperson and chef.
He was born in Los Angeles but grew up in Ireland. Price began his career in the film industry as a producer and director of television commercials, before transitioning to feature films.
He has directed and produced several critically acclaimed films, including "The Boys and Girl from County Clare" (2003), "Bye Bye Blackbird" (2005), and "Between the Canals" (2011). Price has also acted in several of his films and others, including "The Most Fertile Man in Ireland" (2000) and "Intermission" (2003).
In addition to his work in the film industry, Price is also a successful businessperson and owns several restaurants in Ireland. He has also published a cookbook, "David Price's Irish Cooking".
Price has been recognized for his contributions to the film industry with several awards, including the Irish Film and Television Award for Best Director in 2004 for "The Boys and Girl from County Clare".
In 2018, Price was awarded an honorary degree from his alma mater, Trinity College Dublin, for his contributions to Irish culture and the arts. Price is known for his love of traditional Irish music and often incorporates it into his films. He is also a supporter of various charities, including the Irish Cancer Society and the Irish Hospice Foundation. In his spare time, Price is an avid surfer and can often be found catching waves off the coast of Ireland.