Richard Dormer facts for kids

Richard Dormer, born on November 11, 1969, is a talented actor and playwright from Northern Ireland. He is famous for playing characters like Beric Dondarrion in the TV show Game of Thrones. He also played Dan Anderssen in the series Fortitude on Sky Atlantic.

About Richard Dormer's Early Life

Richard Dormer was born in Portadown, Northern Ireland. His family was Protestant. He went to the RADA acting school in London. After living and working in London for a while, he moved back to Northern Ireland.

Richard Dormer's Acting Career

Richard Dormer has had a long and successful career in acting. He has worked in theater, radio, movies, and television.

Stage and Radio Work

Dormer became well-known after playing the Northern Irish snooker star Alex Higgins. This was in a play called Hurricane in 2003. He wrote the play and also starred in it. Dormer won an award for Best Actor for this role.

In 2004, he won another award for his acting in a play called Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme. He also worked with famous director Sir Peter Hall. Dormer performed in plays by William Shakespeare and Samuel Beckett.

Dormer has also written several plays himself. These include The Half and Gentleman's Tea Drinking Society. In 2012, he was asked to write a play for the Abbey Theatre. This play, called Drum Belly, was about Irish gangsters in Brooklyn in 1969. It was published in 2013.

He has also lent his voice to many BBC Radio 4 plays and documentaries. In 2020, he played a director in the TV show COBRA.

Dormer has said that his early career was hard because of his Northern Irish accent. People often linked it to terrorism. He decided not to play roles like "terrorists or thugs." This limited his chances in movies and TV. However, he felt focusing on stage acting made him a better actor.

Film Roles

After playing many smaller roles, Dormer got a lead role in the 2012 film Good Vibrations. This movie tells the story of Terri Hooley, a punk rock visionary from Northern Ireland. The film was shown at the Cannes Film Festival and won awards. Critics liked the film, and many praised Dormer's performance. He was nominated for a Best Actor award for this role.

He also appeared in the film '71 in 2014. In 2019, Dormer played Dr. Curtis Welch in the Disney film Togo.

Television Appearances

Dormer has become a very recognizable television actor. He had important roles in the Cinemax show Hunted and BBC One's Hidden.

In 2012, Dormer took on the role of Lord Beric Dondarrion in the HBO series Game of Thrones. His character was known as the "Lightning Lord." He appeared in the third, sixth, seventh, and eighth seasons of the show.

Dormer is also the voice of the Dad character in the children's animated series Lily's Driftwood Bay. This show airs in many countries around the world.

From 2014, Dormer filmed for the Sky Atlantic series Fortitude. He played Sheriff Dan Anderssen in this show. It also starred famous actors like Stanley Tucci and Michael Gambon. Fortitude is set in a made-up Arctic town in Norway. The show was very popular and got a second season.

In 2015, Dormer played David Croft in the BBC drama We're Doomed! The Dad's Army Story. This show was about how the popular BBC sitcom Dad's Army was created.

In 2020, Dormer played Captain Sam Vimes in the BBC series The Watch. This show is based on the Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett. He also continued his role as Fraser Walker in the COBRA series.

In 2023, Dormer appeared as Gerry Cliff in the BBC1 drama Blue Lights. In August 2024, it was announced that Dormer joined the cast of the TV series The Assassin.

Personal Life

Richard Dormer lives in Belfast. He is divorced from director Rachel O'Riordan.

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Richard Dormer para niños