Gabriel Byrne

Gabriel James Byrne (born 12 May 1950) is an Irish actor, film director, film producer, writer, cultural ambassador and audiobook narrator. His acting career began in the Focus Theatre before he joined London's Royal Court Theatre in 1979. Byrne's screen debut came in the Irish drama serial The Riordans and the spin-off show Bracken.

For the Irish radio and television presenter, see Gay Byrne.

Gabriel Byrne
Byrne in 2010
Born
Gabriel James Byrne

(1950-05-12) 12 May 1950
Dublin, Ireland
OccupationActor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, author
Years active1978–present
Height1.78 m (5 ft 10 in)
Spouse(s)
    ​
    (
    m. 1988; div. 1999)
      Hannah Beth King
      (
      m. 2014)
      Children3

      He has starred in more than 70 films for some of cinema's best known directors. For his Broadway work, he received three Tony nominations for roles in the work of Eugene O'Neill as well as the Outer Critics Circle Award for A touch of the poet. For his television work, Byrne was nominated for three Emmys. For his performance in HBO's American drama In Treatment (2008–2010) in the role of Paul Weston, one of his most identifiable roles, he won a Golden Globe Award and was nominated for two Emmy Awards and two Satellite Awards.

      He starred in many films, including: Excalibur (1981), Miller's Crossing (1990), The Usual Suspects (1995), Stigmata (1999), End of Days (1999), Spider (2002), Jindabyne (2006), Vampire Academy (2014), The 33 (2015), and Hereditary (2018), and co-wrote The Last of the High Kings (1996). Byrne has also produced several films, including the Academy Award–nominated In the Name of the Father (1993). In 2019, he starred in a TV series adaptation of War of the Worlds.

      In 2018, Gabriel Byrne was awarded the Irish Film and Television Academy Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to Irish cinema. In 2020, he was listed at number 17 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors.[1]

      Early life

      Byrne was born in Walkinstown, Dublin, the son of devoutly Roman Catholic parents: a cooper and soldier, Dan, and a hospital nurse, Eileen (née Gannon), from Elphin, County Roscommon.[2] He is the oldest of six siblings, Donal, Thomas, Breda, Margaret, and a sister who died at an early age, Marian.[3]

      He attended Ardscoil Éanna in Crumlin, where he later taught Spanish and history.[4] About his early training to become a priest, he said in an interview, "I spent five years in the seminary and I suppose it was assumed that one had a vocation. I realised subsequently that I didn't."[5] He attended University College Dublin, where he studied archaeology and linguistics,[6] becoming proficient in Irish.

      He played football in Dublin with Stella Maris.[7]

      In January 2011, he spoke in an interview on The Meaning of Life about being sexually abused by priests during his childhood.[8][9]

      Career

      Byrne worked in archaeology when he left UCD. He maintained his love of his language, later writing the first television drama in Irish, Draíocht, on Ireland's national Irish-language television station, TG4, when it began broadcasting in 1996.[10]

      Before becoming an actor, Byrne had many jobs, including archaeologist, cook, and Spanish and history school teacher at Ardscoil Éanna in Crumlin. He started acting at age 29,[6] and began his career on stage with the Focus Theatre and the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. He later joined the Performing Arts Course at Roslyn Park College in Sandymount. He came to prominence on the final season of the Irish television show The Riordans,[6] subsequently starring in his own spin-off series, Bracken. His first play for television was Michael Feeney Callan's Love Is ... (RTÉ). He made his film debut in 1981, as King Uther Pendragon in John Boorman's King Arthur epic, Excalibur.[6]

      In 1983, he appeared with Richard Burton in the miniseries Wagner, co-starring Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson.[11] In 1985, he starred in the acclaimed political thriller Defence of the Realm, though he subsequently claimed he had been upstaged by his co-star, veteran actor Denholm Elliott: "I amended the actor's cliché to 'Never work with children, animals or Denholm Elliott'."[12]

      Byrne holding his Herald Angel, an award given to him at the 2006 Edinburgh International Film Festival.

      In 2007, he led the jury of the Kerry Film Festival.[13]

      Upon his return to theatre in 2008, he appeared as King Arthur in Camelot with the New York Philharmonic from 7 to 10 May, following the footsteps of veteran actors Richard Burton and Richard Harris. Byrne was cast in a film adaptation of Flann O'Brien's metafictional novel At Swim-Two-Birds, alongside Colin Farrell and Cillian Murphy. Actor Brendan Gleeson was set to direct the film.[14] In October 2009, however, Gleeson expressed fear that, should the Irish Film Board be abolished as planned by the Irish State, the production might fall through.[15]

      Byrne starred as therapist Paul Weston in the HBO series In Treatment from 2008 to 2010. He was named as TV's "latest Dr. McDreamy" by The New York Times[16] for this role, and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2008. He also received his first Emmy Award nomination (Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series) for the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards that same year.

      In 2011, he signed up to appear in a film by director Costa Gavras, Le Capital,[17] an adaptation of Stéphane Osmont's novel of the same name. In 2013, he starred as Earl Haraldson in the first season of Vikings opposite Travis Fimmel and Clive Standen.

      In 2017, he appeared in Mad to Be Normal (previously titled Metanoia), a biopic of the Scottish psychiatrist R. D. Laing, produced by Gizmo Films.[18]

      Byrne was cultural ambassador for Ireland until he criticised the tourism initiative The Gathering, describing it as an attempt by Ireland's politicians and media to fleece wealthy Americans.[19] Byrne criticised the marketing strategy employed by Guinness known as Arthur's Day as "a cynical piece of exercise in a country which has a huge drinking problem."[20]

      Personal life

      Byrne had a 12-year relationship with television producer and presenter Aine O'Connor, from 1974–86.[21]

      He began a relationship with actress Ellen Barkin, and relocated to New York City to be with her. A year later, in 1988, he married Barkin, with whom he has two children, John "Jack" Daniel (born 1989) and Romy Marion (born 1992). The couple separated amicably in 1993, and divorced in 1999. Byrne resides in Manhattan.[22]

      He is involved in various charities. In 2004, he was appointed a UNICEF Ireland Ambassador. He became a patron of Croí (The West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation) in 1997 in response to the care given to his mother while she was a patient in a Galway hospital.

      At the fifth Jameson Dublin International Film Festival in 2007, Byrne was presented with the first of the newly created Volta awards, for lifetime achievement in acting. He received the Honorary Patronage of the University Philosophical Society, of Trinity College, Dublin on 20 February 2007. In November 2007, he was awarded an honorary degree by the National University of Ireland, Galway; the president of the University, Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, said that the award was in recognition of the actor's "outstanding contribution to Irish and international film".[23]

      Although Byrne is noted as a fiercely private person, he released a documentary for the 20th Galway Film Fleadh in the summer of 2008 called Stories from Home, an intimate portrait about his life. It premiered in the United States in September 2009 at the Los Angeles Irish Film Festival.[24]

      Byrne mentioned in interviews and his 1995 autobiography, Pictures in My Head that he hates being called "brooding". He has been listed by People as one of the "Sexiest Men Alive". Entertainment Weekly has also dubbed Byrne as one of the hottest celebrities over the age of 50.[25]

      He married his partner, Hannah Beth King, on 4 August 2014 at Ballymaloe House in County Cork.[26] The couple had a baby girl in February 2017.

      Byrne is an atheist, and has been vocally critical of the Catholic church.[27]

      Filmography

      Film
      YearTitleRoleNotes
      1978 On a Paving Stone Mounted[28] Unknown character
      1981 Love Is ... Larry
      1981 Excalibur Uther Pendragon
      1983 Hanna K. Joshua Herzog
      1983 The Keep Sturmbannfuhrer Erich Kaempffer
      1984 Reflections William Masters
      1985 Defence of the Realm Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen
      1986 Gothic Lord Byron
      1987 Lionheart The Black Prince
      1987 Hello Again Dr. Kevin Scanlon
      1987 Julia and Julia Paolo Vinci
      1987 Siesta Augustine
      1988 The Courier Val
      1989 A Soldier's Tale Saul
      1989 Dark Obsession Lord Hugo Bruckton
      1990 Miller's Crossing Tom Reagan
      1990 Shipwrecked Lt. John Merrick
      1992 Into the West Papa Reilly Also associate producer
      1992 Cool World Jack Deebs
      1993 Point of No Return Bob
      1993 A Dangerous Woman Colin Mackey
      1993 In the Name of the Father Executive producer
      1994 A Simple Twist of Fate John Newland
      1994 Trial by Jury Daniel Graham
      1994 Little Women Professor Friedrich Bhaer
      1994 Prince of Jutland Fenge
      1995 The Usual Suspects Dean Keaton National Board of Review Award for Best Cast
      1995 Dead Man Charlie Dickinson
      1995 Frankie Starlight Jack Kelly
      1996 Mad Dog Time Ben London
      1996 The Last of the High Kings Jack Griffin Also writer and executive producer
      1996 Somebody Is Waiting Roger Ellis Also executive producer
      1996 Dr. Hagard's Disease Unreleased; also executive producer
      1997 Smilla's Sense of Snow The Mechanic
      1997 The End of Violence Ray Bering
      1997 This Is the Sea Rohan
      1998 Polish Wedding Bolek
      1998 The Man in the Iron Mask D'Artagnan
      1998 The Brylcreem Boys Sean O'Brien Also co-producer
      1998 Quest for Camelot Sir Lionel Voice
      1998 Enemy of the State Fake Brill
      1999 Stigmata Father Andrew Kiernan Nominated—Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favorite Supporting Actor – Horror
      Nominated—Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor
      1999 End of Days The Man Nominated—Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor
      2000 Canone inverso Jeno Varga
      2000 Mad About Mambo Also executive producer
      2002 Virginia's Run Ford Lofton
      2002 Spider Bill Cleg
      2002 Emmett's Mark Jack Marlow/Stephen Bracken
      2002 Horses: The Story of Equus Narrator (voice)
      2002 Ghost Ship Captain Sean Murphy
      2003 Shade Charlie Miller
      2003 Flight from Death Narrator (voice)
      2004 Vanity Fair The Marquess of Steyne
      2004 P.S. Peter Harrington
      2004 The Bridge of San Luis Rey Brother Juniper
      2005 Assault on Precinct 13 Captain Marcus Duvall
      2005 Wah-Wah Harry Compton
      2006 Played Eddie
      2006 Jindabyne Stewart Kane Nominated—Australian Film Institute Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role
      2007 Emotional Arithmetic Christopher Lewis
      2008 2:22 Detective Swain Uncredited
      2009 Butte, America Narrator Voice
      Documentary
      2009 Perrier's Bounty The Reaper Voice
      2009 Leningrad Phillip Parker
      2012 Le Capital Dittmar Rigule
      2012 I, Anna Detective Bernie Reid
      2013 Just a Sigh (Le Temps de l'aventure) Doug
      2013 All Things to All Men Joseph Corsco
      2014 Vampire Academy Victor Dashkov
      2015 The 33 Andre Sougarret
      2015 Louder Than Bombs Gene Reed
      2015 Nobody Wants the Night Bram Trevor
      2016 Carrie Pilby Mr. Daniel Pilby
      2016 No Pay, Nudity Lawrence Rose
      2017 Mad to Be Normal Jim
      2017 Lies We Tell Donald
      2018 In the Cloud Doc Wolff
      2018 An L.A. Minute Ted Gold
      2018 Hereditary Steve Graham Also executive producer
      2018 Atlantic Salmon: Lost at Sea Narrator (voice)
      2020 Lost Girls Richard Dormer

      Television
      YearTitleRoleNotes
      1978–1979 The Riordans Pat Barry Drama series
      1980–1982 Bracken Pat Barry Drama series
      1981 Strangers Johnny Maguire Episode: "The Flowers of Edinburgh"
      1981 The Search for Alexander the Great Ptolemy 4 episodes
      1982 Joyce in June Keogh / Blazes Boylan Television film
      1983 Wagner Karl Ritter 3 episodes
      1985 Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus 4 episodes
      1985 Mussolini: The Untold Story Vittorio Mussolini 6 episodes
      1993 Intimate Portrait Narrator (voice) Episode: "Kim Cattrall"
      1994 Screen Two The Good Thief Episode: "All Things Bright and Beautiful"
      1995 Buffalo Girls Teddy Blue Television film
      1995 Saturday Night Live Himself (host) / Various characters Episode: "Gabriel Byrne/Alanis Morissette"
      1996 Draíocht Father Television film
      1997 Glenroe Pat Barry Episode: "Miley's New Bullock"
      1997 Weapons of Mass Distraction Lionel Powers Television film
      Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actor – Miniseries or Television Film
      2000 Madigan Men Benjamin "Ben" Madigan 12 episodes; also co-executive producer
      2008–2010 In Treatment Dr. Paul Weston 106 episodes
      Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama
      Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2008–09)
      Nominated—Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (2008–09)
      2012 Secret State Tom Dawkins 4 episodes
      2013 Vikings Earl Haraldson 6 episodes
      2014 Quirke Quirke 3 episodes
      2016 Marco Polo Pope Gregory X Episode: "Let God's Work Begin"
      2018 Maniac Porter Milgrim 5 episodes
      2019 The War of the Worlds Bill Ward Canal + series
      2020 ZeroZeroZero Edward Lynwood

      Stage
      Year Theatre Title Role Notes
      2000Walter Kerr Theatre (Broadway)A Moon for the MisbegottenJames 'Jim' Tyrone, Jr.Nominated for a Tony Award (Best Actor in a Play) and Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Actor in a Play); Winner of the Theatre World Award
      2002Bleecker Street Theatre (Off-Broadway)The ExoneratedKerry Max CookReplacement[29]
      2005Studio 54 (Broadway)A Touch of the PoetCornelius MelodyWinner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play
      2008Avery Fisher HallCamelotKing ArthurPerformance for the New York Philharmonic's annual musical event from 7–10 May 2008
      2016American Airlines Theatre (Broadway)Long Day's Journey into NightJames TyroneNominated for a Tony Award (Best Actor in a Play)

      Awards and nominations
      Year Event Category Outcome Notes
      1979Jacob's AwardsJacob's Award for Best Actor in a TV Series (Drama)WonFor Bracken
      1987FantasportoInternational Fantasy Film Award for Best ActorWonFor Gothic and Defence of the Realm
      1995National Board of Review of Motion PicturesNBR Award for Best Acting by an EnsembleWonFor The Usual Suspects
      1998Satellite AwardsGolden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TelevisionNominatedFor Weapons of Mass Distraction
      Grammy AwardsGrammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (Children)NominatedFor The Star-Child and The Nightingale and the Rose (Oscar Wilde)
      1999Cinequest Film FestivalMaverick Tribute AwardWon
      2000Theatre World AwardsTheatre World Award for ActingWonFor A Moon for the Misbegotten
      Tony AwardsTony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a PlayNominated
      Razzie AwardsRazzie Award for Worst Supporting ActorNominatedFor End of Days and Stigmata
      Blockbuster Entertainment AwardsBlockbuster Entertainment Award for Favourite Actor (Horror)NominatedFor Stigmata
      2005Irish Film and Television AwardsIFTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Feature FilmNominatedFor Wah-Wah
      2006Inside Film AwardsIF Award for Best ActorNominatedFor Jindabyne
      Australian Film Institute AwardsAFI Award for Best Lead ActorNominated
      Outer Critics Circle AwardsOuter Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a PlayWonFor A Touch of the Poet
      2007Jameson Dublin International Film FestivalVolta Award for Lifetime Achievement in ActingWonThis was the first year for the presentation of the award.
      2008Irish Film and Television AwardsIFTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Feature FilmNominatedFor Jindabyne
      Primetime Emmy AwardsEmmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesNominatedFor In Treatment
      Dingle Film FestivalGregory Peck Excellence in the Art of Film AwardWonThis is the first year for the presentation of the award, which was named in honour of the late Gregory Peck.
      Golden Globe AwardsGolden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – DramaWonFor In Treatment
      Satellite AwardsGolden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – DramaNominated
      2009Primetime Emmy AwardsEmmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesNominated
      2016Tony AwardsTony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a PlayNominatedFor Long Day's Journey into Night
      2018 Irish Film and Television Awards Lifetime Achievement Award Honorary Award Recipient For his contribution to cinema

      Honours

      In 2007, NUI Galway awarded him an honorary doctorate for his outstanding contribution to Irish and international film, theatre and the arts.

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      References
      1. https://www.irishtimes.com/culture/film/the-50-greatest-irish-film-actors-of-all-time-in-order-1.4271988
      2. "Holiday Homes, Elphin, Co. Roscommon – Rent Self Catering Accommodation in Ireland". myhome.ie.
      3. Mottram, James (18 May 2007). "Gabriel Byrne: Not one of the usual suspects". The Independent. London. Retrieved 11 August 2017. I'm what they call a recovering Catholic.
      4. "Old boy Gabriel's starring role in city school reunion". Herald.ie.
      5. "Coming out as atheist: Noel Gallagher & Gabriel Byrne". National Secular Society. 13 April 2007. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
      6. Stated on Inside the Actors Studio (2000).
      7. Wright, Alice (2 August 2013). "One Direction's Louis Tomlinson signs for Doncaster plus 10 other sporting celebs". Metro. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
      8. "Gabriel Byrne: I was abused as a child". London: Telegraph.co.uk. 20 January 2010. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
      9. McDonald, Henry (19 January 2010). "Gabriel Byrne tells of childhood sexual abuse". London: Guardian. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
      10. "Gabriel Byrne". IMDb. Retrieved 19 July 2016.
      11. "A flame of love never quenched". The Irish Times. 8 August 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
      12. "Obituary: Denholm Elliott". The Independent. 7 October 1992.
      13. Gabriel Byrne Tops Kerry Film Fest Jury Lineup
      14. Jaafar, Ali (2 September 2009). "Parallel eyes Irish projects". Variety. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
      15. Ryan, Conor (15 October 2009). "Gleeson: Film plans will collapse if Bord Snip implemented". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
      16. Ferla, Ruth La (28 February 2008). "New York Times Article – 'He Listens. He Cares. He Isn't Real.'". Nytimes.com. Retrieved 25 April 2010.
      17. "Gabriel Byrne Enters 'Le Capital', Irish Actor in Talks To Star". IFTN. Retrieved 13 June 2011.
      18. "Current Features – Mad to be Normal". www.gizmofilms.com. Gizmo Films. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
      19. "Gabriel Byrne: Religion didn't do me any good". Irish Independent. 5 April 2013. Retrieved 5 April 2013.
      20. O'Shea, James (4 December 2012). "Gabriel Byrne again slams The Gathering and Arthur's Day: Actor says Ireland needs a real relationship with the Diaspora". Irish Central. Retrieved 4 December 2012.
      21. "Hollywood Celebrities". Hollywood.com.
      22. Polsky, Sara (30 April 2010). "Actor Gabriel Byrne Buys in Nolita's 211 Elizabeth". Curbed.
      23. "Honorary degree for Irish star". BreakingNews.ie. 27 November 2007. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
      24. Kay, Jeremy. "Cherrybomb among five US premieres at LA Irish Film Festival". ScreenDaily.com. Retrieved 16 December 2015.
      25. D'Angelo, Beverly. "GILFy Pleasures: 33 Hotties Over Age 50". EW.com. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
      26. English, Eoin (7 August 2014). "Gabriel Byrne's secret wedding finalised over coffee and scones in popular Cork restaurant". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 15 June 2015.
      27. ‘In Treatment’ star Gabriel Bryne says he is ‘extremely anti-Catholic
      28. "On a Paving Stone Mounted (1978)". British Film Institute. Retrieved 3 August 2018.
      29. The Exonerated at the Bleecker Street Theatre, Lortel Archives

      Further reading
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