Aidan Gillen facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Aidan Gillen
Gillen in 2010
Born	Aidan Murphy 1968 Dublin, Ireland
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1981–present
Spouse(s)	Olivia O'Flanagan ​ ​ (m. 2001; separated 2005)​
Partner(s)	Camille O'Sullivan (2014–present)
Children	2

Aidan Gillen (born Aidan Murphy in 1968) is an Irish actor famous for playing a wide variety of characters in movies and television shows.

You might know him as the clever Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in the popular series Game of Thrones, or as the villain Janson in the Maze Runner movies. He has also appeared in many other big projects, including The Dark Knight Rises, Bohemian Rhapsody, and the TV show Peaky Blinders.

Over his long career, Gillen has won three Irish Film & Television Awards. He has also been nominated for other major awards, including a Tony Award for his work in theater.

Early Life and Starting Out

Aidan Gillen was born Aidan Murphy in Dublin, Ireland, in 1968. He was the youngest of six children. He went to school at St. Vincent's C.B.S. in the Glasnevin area of Dublin.

Gillen discovered his love for acting as a teenager. He joined the Dublin Youth Theatre and started acting in plays. His first major role was as Nick Bottom in a production of A Midsummer Night's Dream when he was just 16.

When he started his professional career, he found out that another actor was already named Aidan Murphy. To avoid confusion, he started using his mother's last name, Gillen, as his stage name. At age 18 or 19, he moved to London to find more acting opportunities.

Acting Career

Gillen has had a successful career on both the stage and the screen.

Theater Roles

Gillen began his career acting in plays in London and Dublin. One of his most important stage roles was in the play The Caretaker on Broadway in New York City in 2003. He acted alongside famous actors like Patrick Stewart and Kyle MacLachlan. His performance was highly praised by critics.

He has also appeared in many other plays, including American Buffalo at the Gate Theatre in Dublin.

Movie and Television Roles

Gillen is best known for his work in film and television. He has played many memorable characters that have made him a familiar face to audiences around the world.

What are his most famous TV roles?

• Game of Thrones (2011–2017): Gillen played Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish, a cunning and ambitious character in the fictional world of Westeros. He appeared in seven seasons of the show.
• The Wire (2004–2008): He played Tommy Carcetti, a city councilman who becomes the mayor of Baltimore. This role earned him an Irish Film & Television Award.
• Peaky Blinders (2017–2019): He joined the cast as Aberama Gold, a dangerous and unpredictable ally to the Shelby family.
• Love/Hate (2010–2011): In this popular Irish crime drama, he played crime boss John Boy Power.
• Mayor of Kingstown (2021–2024): He played the role of Milo Sunter in this crime thriller series.
• Kin (2021–2023): Gillen starred as Frank Kinsella, a member of a Dublin crime family.

What are his major movie roles?

• The Maze Runner series: Gillen played the main antagonist, Janson, in Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015) and Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018).
• The Dark Knight Rises (2012): He had a memorable role as a CIA operative in the opening scene of this major Hollywood blockbuster.
• Bohemian Rhapsody (2018): He portrayed John Reid, the first manager of the legendary rock band Queen.
• Shanghai Knights (2003): He played the villain, Lord Rathbone, opposite Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson.
• Sing Street (2016): He appeared as Robert, the father of the main character, in this Irish musical comedy-drama.

Personal Life

Gillen lives in his hometown of Dublin. He has two children with his former wife, Olivia O'Flanagan, whom he married in 2001. Since 2014, he has been in a relationship with singer Camille O'Sullivan.

Selected Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Aidan Gillen para niños