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Jim Sheridan
Jim Sheridan.jpg
Born (1949-02-06) 6 February 1949 (age 76)
Dublin, Ireland
Other names Shay
Occupation
  • Film director
  • screenwriter
  • producer
  • playwright
Years active 1979–present
Known for
  • My Left Foot (1989)
  • In the Name of the Father (1993)
  • The Boxer (1997)
  • In America (2002)

Jim Sheridan was born on February 6, 1949. He is a famous Irish playwright and filmmaker. He is known for directing many popular movies.

Between 1989 and 1993, Jim Sheridan directed three highly praised films. These movies were set in Ireland. They included My Left Foot (1989), The Field (1990), and In the Name of the Father (1993). Later, he also directed The Boxer (1997), In America (2003), and Brothers (2009). Jim Sheridan has been nominated for six Academy Awards for his amazing work.

Jim Sheridan's Early Life and Career

Jim Sheridan was born in Dublin, Ireland, on February 6, 1949. His brother, Peter Sheridan, is also a playwright. Jim's family ran a lodging house, which is like a small hotel.

He went to a Christian Brothers school for his early education. In 1969, he started studying English and History at University College Dublin. He earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in English in 1972. While at university, he got involved in student theatre. There, he met Neil Jordan, who also became an important Irish film director. After graduating, Jim and his brother began writing and putting on plays. In the late 1970s, they worked with the Project Theatre Company.

In 1981, Jim Sheridan moved to Canada. Later, he settled in New York City in the United States. He studied at the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. He also became the artistic director of the Irish Arts Center.

Directing Famous Films

Jim Sheridan returned to Ireland in the late 1980s. In 1989, he directed My Left Foot. This film starred Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker. It was a big success with both critics and audiences. Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker even won Academy Awards for their roles.

After that, he directed The Field in 1990. This movie starred Richard Harris. Then, in 1993, he directed In the Name of the Father. This film told a fictionalized version of the Guildford Four case. It won the Golden Bear award at the 44th Berlin International Film Festival.

In 1996, he helped write Some Mother's Son with Terry George. His film The Boxer was nominated for a Golden Globe award in 1997. This was Jim Sheridan's third time working with Daniel Day-Lewis. This made him the only director to work with Day-Lewis on three different films.

In 2003, he released In America. This movie was partly based on his own life. It told the story of an Irish immigrant family trying to make a new life in New York. The film received great reviews. Samantha Morton and Djimon Hounsou were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances. In 2005, he directed Get Rich or Die Tryin', a film starring the rap artist 50 Cent.

Jim Sheridan at Q&A at Summer Film School 2022
Discussion with Jim Sheridan at Summer Film School (CR) in 2022

Jim Sheridan directed the 2009 film Brothers. It starred Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalie Portman. He also directed the thriller Dream House in 2011. This movie featured Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, and Rachel Weisz.

Jim Sheridan's Filmography

Jim Sheridan has worked on many films as a director, writer, and producer. Here are some of his main films:

Year Title Director Writer Producer Notes
1989 My Left Foot Yes Yes No
1990 The Field Yes Yes No
1992 Into the West No Yes No
1993 In the Name of the Father Yes Yes Yes
1996 Some Mother's Son No Yes Yes
1997 The Boxer Yes Yes Yes
1999 Agnes Browne No No Yes
2002 In America Yes Yes Yes
2005 Get Rich or Die Tryin' Yes No Yes
2009 Brothers Yes No No
2011 Dream House Yes No No
2016 The Secret Scripture Yes Yes Yes
2017 11th Hour Yes Yes No Short film
2024 Re-Creation Yes No Yes

He has also been an executive producer for several other films and documentaries. These include Borstal Boy (2000) and Bloody Sunday (2002).

Awards and Nominations

Jim Sheridan has received many awards and nominations for his work.

Academy Awards

He has been nominated for six Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars:

  • For My Left Foot (1990):
    • Best Adapted Screenplay (nominated as co-writer)
    • Best Director (nominated as director)
  • For In the Name of the Father (1994):
    • Best Adapted Screenplay (nominated as co-writer)
    • Best Director (nominated as director)
    • Best Picture (nominated as producer)
  • For In America (2004):
    • Best Original Screenplay (nominated as co-writer)

Other Major Awards

  • Berlin International Film Festival: He won the Golden Bear for In the Name of the Father in 1994.
  • British Academy Film Awards: He was nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay for My Left Foot and In the Name of the Father.
  • Golden Globe Awards: He was nominated for Best Director for The Boxer and Best Screenplay for In America.
  • Independent Spirit Awards: He won Best Director for Brothers in 2009. He also received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.
  • National Board of Review: He won Best Original Screenplay for In America in 2002.

Actors Who Won Awards in His Films

Jim Sheridan has directed actors who have won or been nominated for Academy Awards:

See also

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