Gabriel Byrne

|| For the Irish radio and television presenter, see Gay Byrne. Gabriel Byrne , Gabriel Byrne in 2010 Born Gabriel James Byrne, (1950-05-12) 12 May 1950 (age 62), Dublin, Ireland Occupation Actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, author Years active 1978-present Height 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) Spouse(s) Ellen Barkin (1988-1999) Children John Daniel Byrne (b. 1989), Romy Marion Byrne (b. 1992) Gabriel James Byrne (born 12 May 1950) is an Irish actor, film director, film producer, writer, cultural ambassador and audiobook narrator. His acting career began in the Focus Theatre before he joined London's Royal Court Theatre in 1979. Byrne's screen debut came in the Irish soap opera The Riordans and the spin-off show Bracken. He has now starred in over 35 feature films, such as The Usual Suspects, Miller's Crossing, Stigmata and End of Days, in addition to writing two. Byrne's producing credits include the Academy Award-nominated In the Name of the Father. More recently, he has received much critical acclaim for his role as Dr. Paul Weston in the HBO drama In Treatment. Early life: Byrne, the first of six children, was born in Walkinstown, Dublin 12, Dublin, Ireland, the son of a cooper and soldier, Dan, and a hospital nurse from Elphin, Eileen (née Gannon). He has four siblings: Donal, Thomas, Breda, and Margaret; another, Marian, died at a young age. Byrne was raised a strict Roman Catholic and educated in Ardscoil Éanna in Crumlin, where he later taught Spanish and History. About his early training to become a priest, he said in an interview, "I spent five years in the seminary and I suppose it was assumed that one had a vocation. I realised subsequently that I didn't." He attended University College Dublin, where he studied archaeology and linguistics, becoming proficient in Irish. He played football in Dublin with the Stella Maris Football Club, in Drumcondra. In January 2011, he spoke in an interview on The Meaning of Life about being sexually abused by priests during his childhood. Career: Byrne worked in archaeology when he left UCD. He maintained his love of his language, later writing the first television drama in Irish, Draíocht, on Ireland's national Irish-language television station, TG4, when it began broadcasting in 1996. Before becoming an actor, Byrne had many jobs, including archaeologist, cook, and Spanish and History schoolteacher at Ardscoil Éanna in Crumlin, Dublin. He started acting at age 29, and began his career on stage with the Focus Theatre and the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. He later joined the Royal Court Theatre and the Royal National Theatre in London. Byrne came to prominence on the final season of the Irish television show The Riordans, subsequently starring in his own spin-off series, Bracken. His first play for television was Michael Feeney Callan's Love Is ... (RTE). He made his film debut in 1981, as King Uther Pendragon in John Boorman's King Arthur epic, Excalibur. In 1983, he appeared with Richard Burton in the miniseries Wagner (1983), co-starring Laurence Olivier, John Gielgud and Ralph Richardson. Byrne currently stars as therapist Dr. Paul Weston in the new, critically acclaimed HBO primetime weeknight series In Treatment. He was named as TV's "latest Dr. McDreamy" by the New York Times for this role, and won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Drama Series in 2008. He also received his first Emmy Award nomination (Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series) for the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards (Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad won.) that same year. Upon his return to theatre in 2008, he appeared as King Arthur in Camelot with the New York Philharmonic from 7 to 10 May, following the footsteps of veteran actors Richard Burton and Richard Harris. Byrne was cast in a film adaptation of Flann O'Brien's metafictional novel At Swim-Two-Birds, alongside Colin Farrell and Cillian Murphy. Actor Brendan Gleeson was set to direct the film. In October 2009, however, Gleeson expressed fear that, should the Irish Film Board be abolished as planned by the Irish State, the production might fall through. Byrne has just signed up to appear in the new movie by Oscar-winning director Costa Gavras; 'Le Capital' an adaptation of Stéphane Osmont's novel of the same name. He was cultural ambassador for Ireland for a while until he broke the rules to tell the truth about "The Gathering", an attempt by Ireland's politicians and media to fleece wealthy Americans, he said. Byrne also described Arthur's Day, a Holy Day on which all citizens are obliged to venerate Saint Arthur and down pints of sacramental beer, as "a cynical piece of exercise in a country which has a huge drinking problem", comments which led to his enforced exile by decree of the regime. Personal life: Byrne, who retains his Irish citizenship, did not arrive in the United States until 1987, when he was 37. He had begun a relationship with actress Ellen Barkin, and had relocated to New York City to be with her. A year later, in 1988, Byrne married Barkin, with whom he has two children, John "Jack" Daniel (born 1989) and Romy Marion (born 1992). The couple separated amicably in 1993, and then divorced in 1999. Byrne currently resides in Manhattan. Byrne is also actively involved in various charities, in addition to being a human rights activist. In 2004, Byrne was appointed a UNICEF Ireland Ambassador. He became a patron of Croi (The West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation) in 1997 in response to the care given to his mother while she was a patient in a Galway hospital. At the 5th Jameson Dublin International Film Festival in 2007, Byrne was presented with the first of the newly created Volta awards, for lifetime achievement in acting. He also received the Honorary Patronage of the University Philosophical Society, of Trinity College, Dublin on 20 February 2007. In November of that same year, he was awarded an honorary degree by the National University of Ireland, Galway; the president of the University, Dr Iognáid Ó Muircheartaigh, said that this award is in recognition of the actor's "outstanding contribution to Irish and international film". Although the actor is noted as a fiercely private person, he released a documentary for the 20th Galway Film Fleadh in the summer of 2008 called Stories from Home, an intimate portrait about his life. Byrne mentioned in interviews and his 1995 autobiography, Pictures In My Head that he hates being called "brooding". He has been listed by People as one of the "Sexiest Men Alive". Entertainment Weekly has also dubbed Byrne as one of the hottest celebrities over the age of 50. Filmography: Year Film Role Notes 1978 The Riordans (TV series) Pat Barry Bracken (TV series) Pat Barry Jacob's Award for Best Actor in a Television Series in 1979. 1981 Love Is ... (TV play) Larry 1981 Excalibur Uther Pendragon 1983 Hanna K. Joshua Herzog The Keep Major Erich Kaempffer 1984 Reflections William Masters 1985 Christopher Columbus Christopher Columbus 1985 Defence of the Realm Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen 1986 Gothic Lord Byron 1987 Lionheart The Black Prince Hello Again Dr. Kevin Scanlon Julia and Julia Paolo Vinci Siesta Augustine Byrne met his future wife, Ellen Barkin, on the set of this movie. The Courier Val 1988 A Soldier's Tale Saul 1989 Dark Obsession Lord Hugo Bruckton 1990 Miller's Crossing Tom Reagan Shipwrecked Lt. John Merrick 1992 Into the West Papa Reilly Also the associate producer Cool World Jack Deebs 1993 Point of No Return Bob A Dangerous Woman Colin Mackey 1994 A Simple Twist of Fate John Newland Trial by Jury Daniel Graham Little Women Professor Friedrich Bhaer Prince of Jutland Fenge 1995 The Usual Suspects Dean Keaton Buffalo Girls Teddy Blue TV film Dead Man Charlie Dickinson Frankie Starlight Jack Kelly 1996 Draiocht Father TV film, Byrne wrote this drama. Mad Dog Time Ben London The Last of the High Kings Jack Griffin Also the writer and executive producer Dr. Hagard's Disease Also the executive producer The Lark in the Clear Air Executive producer, writer and director Somebody is Waiting Roger Ellis Also the co-producer 1997 Smilla's Sense of Snow The mechanic The End of Violence Ray Bering Weapons of Mass Distraction Lionel Powers TV film This is the Sea Rohan 1998 Polish Wedding Bolek The Man in the Iron Mask D'Artagnan The Brylcreem Boys Sean O'Brien Also the co-producer Quest for Camelot Sir Lionel (animated) (voice) Enemy of the State Fake Brill 1999 Stigmata Father Andrew Kiernan End of Days The Man/Satan 2000 Madigan Men Benjamin 'Ben' Madigan (TV series), Also the co-executive producer Canone inverso Jeno Varga 2002 Virginia's Run Ford Lofton Spider Bill Cleg Emmett's Mark Jack Marlow/Stephen Bracken Ghost Ship Captain Sean Murphy 2003 Shade Charlie Miller 2004 Vanity Fair The Marquess of Steyne P.S. Peter Harrington The Bridge of San Luis Rey Brother Juniper 2005 Assault on Precinct 13 Captain Marcus Duvall Wah-Wah Harry Compton 2006 Played Eddie Jindabyne Stewart Kane Emotional Arithmetic Christopher Lewis 2008-2010 In Treatment Dr. Paul Weston (TV series), Golden Globe Award win and Emmy Award nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series 2009 Butte, America Narrator Perrier's Bounty Voice of The Reaper Leningrad Phillip Parker 2012 Le Capital Dittmar Rigule Secret State (TV miniseries) Tom Dawkins (Deputy Prime Minister/Prime Minister) 2013 Vikings (TV series) Earl Haraldson (Viking chieftain) 2013 All Things to All Men Joseph Corsco Stage: Year Theatre Title Role Notes 2000 Broadway A Moon for the Misbegotten James 'Jim' Tyrone, Jr. Nominated for a Tony Award (Best Actor in a Play) and Drama Desk Award (Outstanding Actor in a Play); Winner of the Theatre World Award 2003 Off-Broadway The Exonerated Kerry Max Cooke 2005 Broadway A Touch of the Poet Cornelius Melody Winner of the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play 2008 Off-Broadway Camelot King Arthur Performance for the New York Philharmonic's annual musical event from 7-10 May 2008 Awards and nominations: Year Event Category Outcome Notes 1979 Jacob's Awards Jacob's Award for Best Actor in a TV Series (Drama) Won For Bracken 1987 Fantasporto International Fantasy Film Award for Best Actor Won For Gothic and Defence of the Realm 1995 National Board of Review of Motion Pictures NBR Award for Best Acting by an Ensemble Won For The Usual Suspects 1998 Satellite Awards Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for Television Nominated For Weapons of Mass Distraction Grammy Awards Grammy Award for Best Spoken Word Album (Children) Nominated For The Star-Child and The Nightingale and the Rose (Oscar Wilde) 1999 Cinequest Film Festival Maverick Tribute Award Won 2000 Theatre World Awards Theatre World Award for Acting Won For A Moon for the Misbegotten Tony Awards Tony Award for Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play Nominated For A Moon for the Misbegotten Razzie Awards Razzie Award for Worst Supporting Actor Nominated For End of Days and Stigmata Blockbuster Entertainment Awards Blockbuster Entertainment Award for Favourite Actor (Horror) Nominated For Stigmata 2005 Irish Film and Television Awards IFTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film Nominated For Wah-Wah 2006 Inside Film Awards IF Award for Best Actor Nominated For Jindabyne Australian Film Institute Awards AFI Award for Best Lead Actor Nominated For Jindabyne Outer Critics Circle Awards Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Actor in a Play Won For A Touch of the Poet 2007 Jameson Dublin International Film Festival Volta Award for Lifetime Achievement in Acting Won This was the first year for the presentation of the award. 2008 Irish Film and Television Awards IFTA Award for Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film Nominated For Jindabyne Primetime Emmy Awards Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominated For In Treatment Dingle Film Festival Gregory Peck Excellence in the Art of Film Award Won This is the first year for the presentation of the award, which was named in honour of the late Gregory Peck. Satellite Awards Golden Satellite Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama Nominated For In Treatment 2009 Golden Globe Awards Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama Won For In Treatment Primetime Emmy Awards Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series Nominated For In Treatment

Source: Wikipedia

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