Patrick Bergin facts for kids

Patrick Connolly Bergin, born on February 4, 1951, is an actor and singer from Ireland. He is well-known for his roles in movies like Sleeping with the Enemy (1991), where he starred with Julia Roberts. He also played the main character in Robin Hood in the same year. You might also remember him as Kevin O'Donnell in Patriot Games (1992) or as Aidan Maguire in the TV show EastEnders (2017–2018).

Early Life and Education

Patrick Bergin grew up in Dublin, Ireland, in an area called Drimnagh. His father, Paddy Bergin, was a politician who worked for the Labour Party. Patrick was one of five children in his family.

In 1973, when he was 22, Patrick moved to London. He worked different jobs, like on building sites and in a library. He also studied at night and earned a degree in education. For several years, he worked as an English teacher. Later, he started his own theater company because he loved acting so much. His brother, Emmet Bergin, also became an actor.

Acting Career Highlights

In 1980, Patrick decided to become a full-time actor. He started working in theater. He played the famous explorer Sir Richard Francis Burton in the movie Mountains of the Moon (1990).

One of his most famous roles was in the thriller movie Sleeping with the Enemy (1991). In this film, he played the challenging role of a husband. In the same year, he took on the lead role of the legendary hero Robin Hood in the movie Robin Hood, acting alongside Uma Thurman.

Patrick Bergin also played Kevin O'Donnell in the action movie Patriot Games (1992), based on a book by Tom Clancy. Later, in 2013, he appeared in the Scottish film The Wee Man. From late 2017 to March 2018, he was a regular on the BBC soap opera EastEnders.

Music and Singing

Besides acting, Patrick Bergin is also a singer. He leads a band called Patrick Bergin and the Spirit Merchants. In 2003, their song "The Knacker" became a top 10 hit in Ireland. He also worked with musician Vlad DeBriansky on his album Jacks Last Dollar.

In 2018, Patrick sang the song "Anthem" by Leonard Cohen at Croke Park in Dublin. This was during Pope Francis's visit for the Festival of Families.

Helping Others: Charity Work

In 1993, Patrick Bergin bought an old church in County Tipperary, Ireland. He turned it into a center for poetry. He wanted to help young people with their writing. He often gives money to groups to help them make videos, but he always makes sure they have a good story first. He believes this helps kids gain confidence.

In 1998, after a sad event in Tallaght, Patrick helped create a special fund. This fund helps support young children from that area.

Personal Life

Patrick Bergin met Paula Frazier in the early 1980s. They got married in Trinidad and Tobago in 1992 and have a daughter together. After their marriage ended, Patrick began dating Helen Goldin.

Awards and Recognitions

Patrick Bergin has received awards and nominations for his acting.

• In 1992, he won a BAFTA Cymru Award for Best Actor for his work in Screen Two.
• He was also nominated for a Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor for Sleeping with the Enemy in 1992.
• More recently, in 2018, he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the International Filmmaker Festival of World Cinema and the Madrid International Film Festival for his role in Train Set.