Adrian Dunbar facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Adrian Dunbar
Dunbar in 2014
Born	(1958-08-01) 1 August 1958 (age 66) Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland
Nationality	Irish
Alma mater	Guildhall School of Music and Drama
Occupation	Actor screenwriter director singer
Years active	1980–present
Notable work	Ashes to Ashes (2009) Line of Duty (2012–2021)
Spouse(s)	Anna Nygh ​ (m. 1986)​

Adrian Dunbar (born 1 August 1958) is a famous Irish actor, director, and singer. He is well-known for his work on TV and in theatre. He helped write and starred in the 1991 movie Hear My Song. This film was even nominated for a BAFTA award!

Adrian Dunbar is most famous for playing Superintendent Ted Hastings. This character was in all six series of the popular BBC crime show Line of Duty (2012–2021). He has also appeared in other TV shows. These include Ashes to Ashes and Broken. Since 2022, Dunbar has played the main character, Alex Ridley, in the ITV detective series Ridley.

He has also been in many movies. Some of these are My Left Foot (1989) and The Crying Game (1992). He even had scenes in Star Wars: The Phantom Menace (1999) that were later cut.

Adrian Dunbar's Early Life

Adrian Dunbar was born and grew up in Enniskillen. This town is in County Fermanagh, Northern Ireland. He was the oldest of seven children in his family.

He went to school at St Joseph's College, Enniskillen. After that, he studied acting at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London.

Adrian Dunbar's Acting Career

Adrian Dunbar has had many important roles in films. These include My Left Foot and The Crying Game. He also starred in movies like Triggermen and Richard III.

On television, he appeared in the first episode of Cracker. He played a character who was wrongly accused of murder. He was also in the last episode of A Touch of Frost. Dunbar has been in many British TV shows. These include Inspector Morse and Ashes to Ashes.

Theatre Work and Directing

Adrian Dunbar has performed in many plays. He was in The Shaughraun at Dublin's Abbey Theatre. He also performed in King Lear at the Royal Court Theatre. He even played Oscar Wilde in a play called A Trinity of Two.

In 2008, he starred in and helped direct a play called Brendan at the Chelsea. He played the writer Brendan Behan. This play was shown in Belfast and later in New York City.

Dunbar has also directed plays. He put on a well-liked production of Philadelphia Here I Come!. In 2020, he started an arts company called Unreal Cities. This company creates different types of art, including music and theatre.

Radio and Other Appearances

Adrian Dunbar has also worked in radio. He played Tullus Aufidius in a BBC Radio play of Coriolanus. He also appeared in the BBC Radio 4 series Baldi.

He played the artist Vermeer in a play based on Girl with a Pearl Earring. In 2008, he starred in The Last Confession of Alexander Pearce. This film was shot in the rainforests of Tasmania.

Other Projects and Interests

Adrian Dunbar was originally cast as Bail Organa in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace. His scene was cut, and another actor later played the role. However, his likeness was used for a different character, Bail Antilles.

He also has his own band. They have played music in places like Nashville, Tennessee, and Austin, Texas. He sings a song called "The Curragh of Kildare" with Brian Kennedy.

Adrian Dunbar narrates the TV series The Estate. He also narrated an audiobook of Eoin Colfer's book Artemis Fowl.

Awards and Nominations

Adrian Dunbar has been nominated for and won several awards for his acting.

BAFTA Awards

Irish Film & Television Academy Awards

National Television Awards

TV Choice Awards

GQ Men of the Year Awards

Adrian Dunbar's Personal Life

Adrian Dunbar is married to Australian actress Anna Nygh since 1986. They have a daughter and a stepson. He lives in Crouch End, North London.

In June 2009, the University of Ulster gave him an honorary degree. This was to recognize his great work in acting.

Adrian Dunbar's Filmography

Movies

Television Shows