Jim Sheridan facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jim Sheridan
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 (born 6 February 1949) 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 set in Ireland: 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 in movies.

Jim Sheridan's Early Life and Career

Jim Sheridan was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 6 February 1949. He grew up with his brother, Peter Sheridan, who also became a playwright. His family ran a lodging house, and his mother worked at a hotel. Jim went to a Christian Brothers school for his early education.

Studying English and Theatre

In 1969, Jim Sheridan started studying English and History at University College Dublin. He graduated in 1972 with a degree in English. While at university, he became very involved in student theatre. This is where he met Neil Jordan, who would also become an important Irish film director. After finishing university, Jim and his brother began writing and putting on plays. In the late 1970s, they worked with the Project Theatre Company.

Moving to America

In 1981, Jim Sheridan moved to Canada. Later, he settled in New York City, in an area called Hell's Kitchen. There, he joined the New York University Tisch School of the Arts. He also became the artistic director of the Irish Arts Center, helping to promote Irish culture through art.

Directing Award-Winning Films

Jim Sheridan returned to Ireland in the late 1980s. This is when his film career really took off.

Breakthrough with My Left Foot

In 1989, he directed My Left Foot. This film starred Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker. It was a huge success with both critics and audiences. Both Daniel Day-Lewis and Brenda Fricker won Academy Awards for their roles in the movie.

More Acclaimed Irish Films

After My Left Foot, Jim Sheridan directed The Field in 1990, which starred Richard Harris. Then, in 1993, he directed In the Name of the Father. This film told a fictionalized version of the real-life case of the Guildford Four. In the Name of the Father won the Golden Bear award at the 44th Berlin International Film Festival.

Collaborations and Later Works

In 1996, Jim Sheridan co-wrote Some Mother's Son. His 1997 film, The Boxer, was nominated for a Golden Globe award for best film drama. This was his third time working with actor Daniel Day-Lewis, making him the only director to have worked with Day-Lewis on three films.

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

Jim Sheridan also directed the 2009 film Brothers, which featured Tobey Maguire, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Natalie Portman. He also directed the thriller Dream House, starring Daniel Craig, Naomi Watts, and Rachel Weisz.

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

Jim Sheridan's Filmography

Jim Sheridan has worked on many films as a director, writer, and producer.

Films Directed

Other Film Roles

Jim Sheridan has also been an executive producer for several films, meaning he helped oversee their creation. He has also acted in a few movies.

• Executive producer:

* Borstal Boy (2000) * On the Edge (2001) * Bloody Sunday (2002) * Dollhouse (2012) * Shelter Me: Apollo House (2018) (Documentary)

• Acting credits:

* Words Upon the Window Pane (1994) as Jonathan Swift * The General (1998) as CPAD Leader * The Bridge of San Luis Rey (2004) as The King of Spain

Television Work

Jim Sheridan has also worked on television series and documentaries.

Music Video

• He directed the music video for "You Made Me the Thief of Your Heart" by Sinéad O'Connor in 1994.

Awards and Nominations

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

Academy Awards

He has been nominated for six Academy Awards:

• Best Adapted Screenplay – My Left Foot (1990)
• Best Director – My Left Foot (1990)
• Best Adapted Screenplay – In the Name of the Father (1994)
• Best Director – In the Name of the Father (1994)
• Best Picture – In the Name of the Father (1994)
• Best Original Screenplay – In America (2004)

Other Major Awards

• Berlin International Film Festival:

* Won the Golden Bear for In the Name of the Father in 1994.

• Golden Globe Awards:

* Nominated for Best Director for The Boxer (1997). * Nominated for Best Screenplay for In America (2002).

• Independent Spirit Awards:

* Won Best Director for Brothers (2009). * Received a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2015.

• National Board of Review:

* Won Best Original Screenplay for In America (2002).

Actors Who Won Awards Under His Direction

Several actors have won or been nominated for Academy Awards for their performances in Jim Sheridan's films:

See also

In Spanish: Jim Sheridan para niños

• List of Academy Award winners and nominees from Ireland