Brendan Gleeson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brendan Gleeson
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Gleeson in 2022
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| Born | 29 March 1955 Dublin, Ireland
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| Alma mater | University College Dublin |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1984–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Mary Weldon
(m. 1982) |
| Children | 4, including Domhnall and Brian |
| Awards | Full list |
Brendan Gleeson is a famous Irish actor and film director, born on March 29, 1955. You might recognize him as the tough but brave wizard Mad-Eye Moody from the Harry Potter movies. He is known for playing a wide variety of characters in both big blockbuster films and smaller independent movies.
Over his long career, he has won many awards for his acting, including a Primetime Emmy Award. He has also been nominated for an Academy Award, BAFTA Awards, and Golden Globe Awards. In 2020, The Irish Times newspaper named him one of the greatest Irish film actors ever. Acting runs in his family, as two of his sons, Domhnall Gleeson and Brian Gleeson, are also successful actors.
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Early Life and Teaching
Brendan Gleeson was born in Dublin, Ireland. As a child, he loved to read books. He went to St Joseph's CBS in Fairview, Dublin, where he joined the school's drama group and discovered his passion for acting.
After high school, he studied English and Irish at University College Dublin. For several years, he worked as a high school teacher, teaching English and the Irish language. Even while teaching, he continued to act in plays in and around Dublin. In 1991, he decided to leave teaching to become a full-time actor.
Acting Career
Gleeson began his professional acting career in the theatre. He was part of a Dublin theatre group called Passion Machine and acted in many of their popular plays. He even wrote and directed some plays himself.
His film career started when he was 34. He became well-known in Ireland after playing Irish leader Michael Collins in a TV movie called The Treaty. This role earned him an award and led to parts in major movies.
Famous Movie Roles
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Gleeson has appeared in many famous films. He played the loyal warrior Hamish in Braveheart and the Irish statesman Liam Tobin in Michael Collins. He has also been in movies like Gangs of New York, Troy, and 28 Days Later.
One of his most famous roles is Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody in the Harry Potter films. He first appeared in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. His son, Domhnall Gleeson, also acted in the Harry Potter series, playing Bill Weasley.
He is also known for his work with the director Martin McDonagh. They worked together on the comedy In Bruges, where Gleeson played a hitman alongside Colin Farrell. They teamed up again for the 2022 film The Banshees of Inisherin. His performance in that film earned him an Academy Award nomination.
Some of his other popular roles include:
- The grumpy but kind-hearted cook Knuckles McGinty in Paddington 2.
- The voice of Abbot Cellach in the animated Irish film The Secret of Kells.
- Winston Churchill in the TV movie Into the Storm, for which he won an Emmy Award.
- Former U.S. President Donald Trump in the TV series The Comey Rule.
Musical Talent
Besides acting, Gleeson is a talented musician. He plays the fiddle (a type of violin) and the mandolin. He is very interested in traditional Irish folklore and music.
You can see him playing the fiddle in some of his movies, including Cold Mountain, Michael Collins, and The Banshees of Inisherin. He has also performed on a live album with the Irish folk band Altan and sang the traditional song "The Unfortunate Rake" in the movie The Ballad of Buster Scruggs.
Personal Life
Brendan Gleeson married Mary Weldon in 1982. They have four sons, Domhnall and Brían, who are actors, and two other sons named Fergus and Rory.
Gleeson is a fluent Irish speaker and supports efforts to keep the language alive in Ireland. He is also a big fan of the English football team Aston Villa.
Awards and Nominations
See also
In Spanish: Brendan Gleeson para niños
