Top 50 Most Famous Irish Actors Of All Time

 

Irish people have contributed greatly to arts and literature. Great poets and authors like Oscar Wilde, WB Yeats, James Joyce, Bram Stoker, etc., call Ireland their home.

 

The Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland have also contributed great actors, directors, musicians, etc. Iconic musicians like U2, The Cranberries, Enya, Van Morrison, etc., are proudly Irish.

 

If you are wondering about any Irishman in show business, Do not worry. I have a list of great Irish actors and directors who have made a mark in English cinema with their talent.

 

Today, ENTOIN brings you a list of Irish actors who have wowed their fans and audiences and left them spellbound.

 

We have tried to keep the list as current as possible and kept yesteryear actors to a minimum. There were a few great Irish actors we could not ignore, despite their passing away.

 

So, here is a collection of the most popular Irishmen in the movie business that are currently working or have recently passed away.

 

See if we can surprise you with a few names that you were unaware were Irish.

 

 

 

1. Kenneth Branagh

 

 

 

Kenneth Branagh is an Academy Award-winning actor, director, and filmmaker. He has adapted many of Shakespeare’s plays into motion pictures, including Henry V, Much Ado About Nothing, Love’s Labour Lost, Hamlet, Othello, As You Like It, etc.

 

He also adapted works like Murder On The Orient Express, Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Swan Song, etc. Kenneth Branagh has worked in Belfast, Conspiracy, Valkyrie, My Week With Marilyn, Dunkirk, Thor, Murder On the Orient Express, Death On The Nile, The Road to El Dorado, Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit, The Boat that Rocked, Warm Springs, etc.

 

 

 

2. Daniel Day-Lewis

 

 

 

Daniel Day-Lewis is an English-born Irish actor. He won three Academy Awards, two Golden Globes, three SAG Awards, four BAFTAs, etc.

 

He is a reclusive actor who retired from acting to follow his passion for shoe-making. The most renowned movies of Daniel Day-Lewis are The Bounty, My Beautiful Laundrette, A Room With a View, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, My Left Foot, Lincoln, There Will Be Blood, Gangs of New York, In The Name Of The Father, Phantom Thread, The Last of the Mohicans, etc.

 

 

 

3. Colin Farrell

 

 

 

Colin Farrell is one of the most well known Irish actors in Hollywood. He has worked with many heavyweight directors, producers and actors.

 

He appeared in The War Zone, Ordinary Decent Criminal, Tigerland, etc., and made a name for his versatility.

 

Farrell’s most memorable roles were in Minority Report, Phone Booth, In Bruges, Hart’s War, Total Recall, Miami Vice, Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Ondine, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Horrible Bosses, etc.

 

 

 

4. Cillian Murphy

 

 

 

Cillian Murphy is an Irish musician, lyricist, and actor. He is famous for his role in the Dark Knight franchise as Scarecrow and as Tommy Shelby in the TV series Peaky Blinders.

 

Murphy had a music career as the frontman of the rock band The Sons of Mr Green Genes. After joining Hollywood, Cillian Murphy appeared in a variety of roles in 28 Days Later, Inception, Red Eye, Intermission, The Dark Knight trilogy, Sunshine, Dunkirk, Wind That Shakes the Barley, Anthropoid, A Quiet Place Part II, Breakfast on Pluto, Oppenheimer, etc.

 

Cillian is a refined actor with a certain charm that is hard to replicate or copy. He has always been the best part of all the projects he has been part of.

 

 

5. Michael Fassbender

 

 

 

Michael Fassbender was born in Germany but grew up in the Irish town of Killarney. He appeared in several TV series like Hearts and Bones, NCS: Manhunt, Gunpowder: Treason and Plot, A Bear Named Winnie, Hex, Murphy’s Law, etc.

 

Fassbender was noticed for his performance in Steve McQueen’s film Hunger. He followed up this strong performance with roles in Inglorious Basterds, Shame, A Dangerous Method, X Men: First Class, its sequel, 12 Years a Slave, Steve Jobs, etc. He also earned two Oscar nominations for his work.

 

 

6. Brendan Gleeson

 

 

 

Brendan Gleeson is a distinguished actor who won two IFTAs, a Primetime Emmy, and has been nominated for two BAFTAs, four Golden Globe awards, etc.

 

His most famous role has been Alastor Moody in the Harry Potter film franchise. Gleeson starred in such films as In the Bruges, Braveheart, Michael Collins, A. I. Artificial Intelligence, Gangs of New York, Kingdom of Heaven, Cold Mountain, Troy, The Smurfs 2, Suffragette, 28 Days Later, The Grand Seduction, etc.

 

 

7. Michael Gambon

 

 

 

Sir Michael Gambon has a rare distinction of being one of the few actors who trained under Sir Laurence Olivier.

 

He worked in several acclaimed West End and theatre plays as part of the Royal National Theater. Gambon was nominated for thirteen Laurence Olivier Awards.

 

To moviegoers, Gambon is famous for his role as Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise. He also starred in Gosford Park, Amazing Grace, The Wings of a Dove, The Insider, The King’s Speech, Victoria & Abdul, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Aquatic Life of Steve Zissou, etc.

 

 

8. Jamie Dornan

 

 

 

Jamie Dornan is an Irish model, actor, and musician. He has modeled for many top fashion houses like Hugo Boss, Dior Homme, Calvin Klein, etc.

 

Dornan was listed among the top 25 Biggest Male Models of all time by Vogue magazine in 2015. Dornan gained fame in acting for his role as Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades series.

 

After that, he appeared in many acclaimed films like Anthropoid, Siege of Jadotville, The Fall, Once Upon A Time, Marie Antoinette, Belfast, a Private War, etc.

 

He was acting way before his role in Fifty Shades, but he clearly became a much more well-known name after this hit.

 

The Fifty Shades franchise made him an A-list celebrity and gained him a massive fan-following.

 

 

9. Barry Keoghan

 

 

 

Barry Keoghan is an Irish actor and model. He is the ambassador of Dior fashion. He also represents Barretstown, a non-profit camp for children with cancer and other serious illnesses.

 

He has worked in multiple acclaimed films and franchises. Keoghan’s film credits include Dunkirk, The Killing of the Sacred Deer, Calm With Horses, Eternals, Love/Hate, The Batman, Chornobyl, The Green Knight, etc.

 

 

10. Liam Neeson

 

 

 

Liam Neeson is an acclaimed actor from Northern Ireland. He has earned several accolades, including nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA, two Tony Awards, three Golden Globes, etc.

 

His most popular roles were in the Star Wars Episode 1: Phantom Menace as Qui-Gon Jinn, The Chronicles of Narnia franchise as Aslan, The Schindler’s List, Taken series, etc.

 

Neeson also starred in movies like Excalibur, The Bounty, The Mission, Michael Collins, Kinsey, Silence, The Grey, A Monster Calls, etc.

 

 

11. Pierce Brosnan

 

 

 

Pierce Brosnan is famous for portraying the MI6 agent James Bond in the British franchise. He has played Bond in four films, namely GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, and Die Another Day.

 

Apart from these, Brosnan has starred in films like Dante’s Peak, Mars Attacks, Remington Steele, The Fourth Protocol, Mrs. Doubtfire, The Thomas Crown Affair, Mamma Mia, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again!, The Matador, etc.

 

Pierce is also known for producing many projects through his production company, Irish DreamTime. He started this company with his friend and now business partner, Beau St.Clair.

 

 

12. Sam Neill

 

 

 

Sam Neill was born in Northern Ireland, but his father was a New Zealander. After a few years, Neill moved to New Zealand and spent his childhood there.

 

Sam Neill worked in several acclaimed science fiction films and horror films. Some of the prominent movies that he appeared in include Omen III: The Final Conflict, Possession, Event Horizon, Jurassic Park, Jurassic Park III, Jurassic World: Dominion, etc.

 

Sam Neill also starred in other notable works like The Piano, Sleeping Dogs, A Cry in the Dark, Dead Calm, The Hunt For Red October, Reilly, Ace of Spies, The Simpsons, Merlin, The Tudors, Crusoe, Happy Town, Alcatraz, Peaky Blinders, etc.

 

 

13. Gabriel Byrne

 

 

 

Gabriel Byrne is an actor, screenwriter, film producer, and author. He has been nominated for two Tony Awards, three Emmy Awards, two Satellite Awards, a Golden Globe award, etc.

 

Byrne has performed in multiple theater plays on Broadway and the England stage. The most memorable roles of Byrne were in In Testament, In The Name of the Father, The Last of the High Kings, Excalibur, Miller’s Crossing, The Usual Suspects, Stigmata, End of Days, Spider, Jindabyne, Vampire Academy, The 33, Hereditary, etc.

 

 

14. Stephen Rea

 

 

 

Stephen Rea is an actor from Northern Ireland who is famous for his stage and film roles. His most prominent works include V for Vendetta, Michael Collins, Interview with the Vampire Breakfast on Pluto, The Crying Game, etc.

 

He also appeared in TV series like The Honourable Woman, The Shadow Line, etc. For his performances, Stephen Rea has been nominated for an Academy Award, two BAFTAs, an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe award, five IFTA awards, a Satellite award, etc. Rea won a BAFTA, two Irish Film and Television awards, etc.

 

 

15. Chris O’Dowd

 

 

 

Chris O’Dowd is an Irish comedian and actor. He wrote the Moone Boy series of books and adapted it for the TV series.

 

For his work, O’Dowd has won multiple IFTA awards, an International Emmy Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, a BAFTA Scotland award, etc.

 

The most notable of Chris O’Dowd’s works include The IT Crowd,  Gulliver’s Travels, Friends with Kids, Thor: The Dark World, Cuban Fury, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, The Cloverfield Paradox, State of The Union, Girls, etc.

 

 

16. Domhnall Gleeson

 

 

 

Domhnall Gleeson is the son of Brendan Gleeson. He is an actor, screenwriter, and director. He has worked in several award-nominated films like Ex-Machina, the Star Wars trilogy,  Brooklyn, Mother!, The Revenant, American Made, Goodbye Christopher Robin, etc.

 

Gleeson also starred in multiple Tony-nominated theater plays. His notable film roles have been in The Harry Potter series, Anna Karenina, When Harvey Met Bob, About Time, Unbroken, Run, etc.

 

 

17. Jonathan Rhys Meyers

 

 

 

Jonathan Rhys Meyers was born Jonathan Michale O’Keeffe, but he changed his name when he started working on screen.

 

Rhys Meyers is an actor, musician, and model. He was the face of multiple Hugo Boss advertisements and ad campaigns.

 

The acting credits of Jonathan Rhys Meyers include The Tudors, Elvis, Michael Collins,  Velvet Goldmine, Titus, Bend It Like Beckham, Alexander, Match Point, Mission: Impossible III, Dracula, Vikings, The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Albert Nobbs, etc.

 

 

18. Aidan Turner

 

 

 

Aidan Turner is an actor and an accomplished ballroom dancer. He won third place in the ballroom dancing competition for adults at the Irish National Championships.

 

He graduated from the Gaiety School of Acting and appeared in many theatre plays. The role that gained fame for Aidan Turner is in the TV series Poldark, based on the Poldark novels by Winston Graham.

 

He also starred in The Hobbit trilogy, Desperate Romantics, The Clinic, Being Human, Leonardo, etc.

 

 

19. Ciarán Hinds

 

 

 

Ciarán Hinds is often called one of the greatest actors of Ireland. He has starred in many successful and critically acclaimed movies.

 

He has been nominated for an Academy Award, Golden Globe, SAG Award, BAFTA awards, Laurence Olivier Award, etc. He won multiple IFTA awards.

 

The most promising performances of Ciarán Hinds were in Belfast, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,  Oscar and Lucinda, Road to Perdition, The Sum of All Fears, Munich, Amazing Grace, There Will Be Blood, In Bruges, First Man, Red Sparrow, Game of Thrones, etc.

 

 

20. James Nesbitt

 

 

 

James Nesbitt is a TV presenter and actor from County Antrim in Northern Ireland. He worked in several theater plays and award-winning television series and films.

 

He was nominated for a SAG award, a Golden Globe Award, multiple BAFTA awards, and more. Nesbitt’s acting credit includes works like The Hobbit trilogy, Murphy’s Law, Waking Ned Devine, Cold Feet, Bloody Sunday, The Canterbury Tales, Jekyll, Midnight Man, The Missing, Outcast, Five Minutes of Heaven, Occupation, etc.

 

 

21. Liam Cunningham

 

 

 

Liam Cunningham is a highly acclaimed Irish actor who has been nominated for London Film Critics Circle Award, BAFTA film Award, IFTA awards, etc.

 

He has won two Irish Film and Television Awards and a BAFTA for the short film Pitch Black Heist.

 

The notable performances of Cunningham have been in Game of Thrones, A Little Princess, Jude, Dog Soldiers, The Crooked Man, The Wind That Shakes the Barley, Hunger, The Escapist, Good Vibrations, Let Us Prey, The Childhood of a Leader, etc.

 

 

22. Colm Meaney

 

 

 

Colm Meaney is a Dubliner who has worked in many supporting roles and is most remembered for his role as Miles O’Brien in Star Trek Deep Space Nine.

 

Meaney won the Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor in the film The Journey in 2017. The other films that Meaney worked in include Star Trek: The Next Generation, Hot On Wheels, Law & Order, The Simpsons, Con-Air,  Layer Cake, The Damned United, The Barrytown trilogy, Get Him to the Greek, Die Hard 2, The Murdoch Mysteries, etc.

 

 

23. Jason O’Mara

 

 

 

Jason O’Mara is well-known for his voice acting; he is the voice of Batman/Bruce Wayne in the direct-to-video films Justice League Animated and Batman Animated.

 

He has also worked in many TV series and films. O’Mara won an Irish Film and Television Award. Some of the memorable roles are in Agents of S. H. I. E. L. D., In Justice, Terra Nova, Vegas, Life on Mars, The Siege of Jadotville, The Man in the High Castle, Blood of Zeus, Departure, Truth Be Told, etc.

 

 

24. Aidan Gillen

 

 

 

Aidan Murphy was compelled to pick an alternate name because his name was already registered for someone else. Hence, he went with his mother’s maiden name and became Aiden Gillen.

 

With this name, he performed theater plays like Midsummer Night’s Dream. After his debut on-screen, Aiden Gillen wired in TV shows like Queer As Folk, Love/Hate, The Wire, Peaky Blinders, and the epic HBO drama, Game of Thrones.

 

He starred in films like The Dark Knight Rises,  Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, Bohemian Rhapsody, etc.

 

 

25. Richard Harris

 

 

 

Richard Harris was an Irish actor and singer who had many number-one hit songs in the US, UK, Australia, Jamaica, and Canada.

 

He worked in many iconic films and played pivotal roles. Harris was also nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor for This Sporting Life.

 

The memorable films of Richard Harris are Gladiator, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, Harry Potter and The Chamber of Secrets, Count of Monte Cristo, Red Desert, Cromwell, Camelot, A Man Called Horse, Unforgiven, etc.

 

 

26. Tom Vaughan-Lawlor

 

 

 

Tom Vaughan-Lawlor is an actor from Ireland who graduated from Trinity College Dublin and joined the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

 

After that, he immersed himself in theater and worked with directors like Kathy Burke, Conor McPherson, John Millington, etc.

 

Vaughan-Lawlor is well-known for his roles in the TV drama Love/Hate, Peaky Blinders, The Secret Agent, Dublin Murders, Frank of Ireland, etc.

 

He starred in the What If…? series, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame as Ebony Man.

 

 

27. Andrew Scott

 

 

 

Andrew Scott is an award-winning actor who works on stage productions, films, and television series. He won three Irish Film and Television Awards, a BAFTA TV award, two Laurence Olivier awards, etc., and has been nominated for a Golden Globe, two SAG awards, a Primetime Emmy award, etc.

 

The notable works of Andrew Scott are Sherlock, Fleabag, Dead Bodies, The Hollow Crown, The Stag, Pride, Handsome Devil, Cognition, Black Mirror, His Dark Material, Oslo, 1917, A Dark Place, Alice Though The Looking Glass, Spectre, etc.

 

 

28. Graham Norton

 

 

 

Graham Norton is an Irish actor, TV host, presenter, writer, etc. This multi-talented artist is an eight-time BAFTA winner, five of which were for his chat show, The Graham Norton Show.

 

Norton also does radio hosting for BBC Radio 2 and Virgin Radio UK for the Saturday morning slot.

 

Graham Norton’s works include Father Ted, So Graham Norton, Absolutely Fabulous, How Do You Solve a Problem Like Maria?, RuPaul’s Drag Race, Eurovision song contest, Eurovision Dance Contest, British Academy Awards ceremony, etc.

 

Graham Norton is known for curating funny interviews with his guests, and many stories from his interviews go viral and create a lot of buzz amongst the fans.

 

 

29.   Paul Mescal

 

 

 

Paul Mescal’s career has been on a meteoric rise since his breakthrough role in the critically acclaimed television series “Normal People.”

 

Mescal captivated audiences with his captivating portrayal of Connell Waldron, a complex and vulnerable character.

 

His remarkable performance earned him widespread acclaim, a Primetime Emmy Award nomination, and a legion of dedicated fans.

 

Following the success of “Normal People,” Mescal’s talent and versatility led to exciting opportunities.

 

He starred in the psychological thriller “The Deceived” ”The Lost Daughter” and appeared in the film “Carmen.” Mescal earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in Aftersun in 2023.

 

 

30. Robert Sheehan

 

 

 

Robert Sheehan is an Irish actor who was interested in acting from a young age. He started working in Irish drama films, short films, and Tv series in his early teens.

 

He joined the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology to study film and television, but he dropped out due to his work assignments.

 

Sheehan is recognizable for his work in TV series and films like Misfits, Love/Hate, The Umbrella Academy, Mortal Engines, Mortal Instruments: City of Bones, Fortitude, Me and Mrs. Jones,  Rock Rivals, The Tudors, Young Blades, etc.

 

 

31. Brian F O’Byrne

 

 

 

Brian F O’Byrne is an Irish actor who resides in America. He graduated from Trinity College of Dublin and started work in the Irish Repertory Theater.

 

He worked in multiple plays on Broadway and otherwise. He has five Tony Award nominations and won the award for Frozen.

 

O’Byrne worked in films like Before The Devil Knows, Million Dollar Baby, Bug, The International, etc. He also worked in TV series like Mildred’s Place, The Little Blue Boy, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt For The Bone Collector, Manhunt, etc.

 

 

32. Patrick Bergin

 

 

 

Patrick Bergin is an Irish actor and singer. He was the son of a senior Labour Party politician and moved to London at 17 years.

 

He worked in several odd jobs in theater companies, libraries, construction work, etc. while studying. He even worked as an English teacher after graduating.

 

After a lot of trials, he decided to be an actor. Bergin starred in films and television roles like Sleeping With The Enemy, Patriot Games, Robin Hood, Children of the Mist, Suspicious Minds, EastEnders, Dracula, Ella Enchanted, etc.

 

 

33. Allen Leech

 

 

 

Allen Leech is an Irish actor born in County Dublin. He earned his bachelor’s in Fine Arts and Masters in Fine Arts from Trinity College Dublin.

 

He worked in theater productions like A Streetcar Named Desire, the Queen and Peacock, The Morning After Optimism, etc.

 

Leech made his film debut with Cowboys and Angels and worked in Man About Dog, Bohemian Rhapsody, The Imitation Game, The Sweeney, Downton Abbey, Rome, The Good Doctor, Bellevue, etc.

 

 

34. Patrick McGoohan

 

 

 

Patrick Joseph McGoohan was an American-born Irish actor, director, screenwriter, and producer of film, television, and theatre. He began his career in England during the 1950s and became well known for his role as secret agent John Drake in the ITC espionage programme “Danger Man”.

 

In 1967, McGoohan starred in the cult classic television series “The Prisoner”, in which he played a man who is abducted and imprisoned in a mysterious village. He was also a prolific film actor, appearing in such films as “Ice Station Zebra”, “A Bridge Too Far”, and “Braveheart”. 

 

McGoohan was a talented and versatile performer who made significant contributions to the world of entertainment. He was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Braveheart”, and he won a BAFTA Award for Best Actor for his role in “The Prisoner”.
 

 

 

35. Dylan Moran

 

 

 

Dylan Moran is an Irish comedian, actor, writer, and poet. He is known for his stand-up comedy gigs that have observational comedy.

 

He co-wrote and starred in the British sitcom Black Books. He also frequently collaborated with Simon Pegg to star in comedies like Shaun of the Dead, Run Fatboy Run, A Film With Me in it, etc.

 

Moran’s comedy work was praised and enjoyed at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Just for Laughs, Montreal Comedy Festival, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Kilkenny Comedy Festival, etc.

 

 

36. Adrian Dunbar

 

 

 

Adrian Dunbar is from Northern Ireland and has built a reputable career on stage. He studied drama at Guildhall School of Music and Drama and went on to work in stage plays.

 

He also worked in films like My Left Foot, The Crying Game, The General, Richard III, Widows’ Peak, etc.

 

Dunbar gained fame for his role in the BBC production Line of Duty, where he portrayed Ted Hastings, Ashes to Ashes, The Jump, The Hollow Crown, Broken, etc. He co-wrote the film Hear My Song, which was nominated for BAFTA.

 

 

37. Aidan Quinn

 

 

Aidan Quinn is an Irish-American actor with a career spanning over four decades. He has starred in over 80 films and television shows, including notable roles in “Desperately Seeking Susan”, “The Mission”, “Avalon”, “Legends of the Fall”, and “Michael Collins”. 

 

Quinn is known for his versatility and his ability to portray a wide range of characters. He has been praised for his performances in both dramatic and comedic roles.

 

In addition to his acting work, Quinn is also a producer and director. He has produced several films, including “Song for a Raggy Boy” and “Wild Child”. He has also directed the films “Man of the Year” and “Mom’s House”. 

 

Quinn is a recipient of the Irish Film and Television Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award. He is also an honorary citizen of the Republic of Ireland.
 

 

 

38. Brian Gleeson

 

 

 

Brian Gleeson is an Irish actor and the son of Brendan Gleeson and Mary Weldon. He trained in theatre and drama at the Gaiety Youth Theater Company.

 

He went on to debut in his father’s film, The Tiger’s Tail. He followed it up with television roles in Love/Hate, Single-Handed, etc.

 

Brian Gleeson got his Hollywood debut with The Eagle, and followed it up with Snow White and the Huntsman, Assassin’s Creed, Logan Lucky, Mother!, Phantom Thread, Resistance, Taken Down, Peaky Blinders, Frank of Ireland, etc.

 

 

39. Stuart Townsend

 

 

 

Stuart Townsend is an Irish actor well-known for his role as Lestat the Vampire in The Queen of the Damned and Dorian Gray in A League of Extraordinary Gentlemen.

 

He has also worked in Grace and Grit, Chaos Theory, Night Stalker, XIII: The Series, etc. Despite his many acting jobs, Townsend is also famous for the roles that he almost played but missed. A few of them are Aragorn in The Lord of The Rings trilogy, Fandral in Thor, etc.

 

 

40. Colin Morgan

 

 

 

Colin Morgan is an actor from Northern Ireland. He has a strong collection of theatre, film, and television roles to his credit.

 

He began his career with stage performances, chiefly in Vernon God Little, Todo Sobre mi Madre, A Prayer For My Daughter, A Step in Time, Our Private Lives, Mojo, Tempest, etc.

 

Morgan’s most famous roles have been in the TV series Merlin, The Fall , and the film Belfast. His other memorable films are Legend, Testament of Youth, The Crown, The Happy Prince, The Huntsman: Winter’s War, etc.

 

 

41. Colin O’Donoghue

 

 

 

Colin O’Donoghue is an Irish actor and musician. He plays the guitar and backing vocals in the Irish band, The Enemies.

 

After graduating from Gaiety School of Acting, O’Donoghue started working in theatre and television roles. He is most famous for his role as the pirate Captain Killian ‘Hook’ Jones in Once Upon a Time.

 

His other notable performances are in The Rite, The Tudors, The Right Stuff, The Heartstrings, Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia, 3Below: Tales of Arcadia, Wizards, etc.

 

 

42. Jack Gleeson

 

 

 

Jack Gleeson is well-known for his role as King Joffrey Baratheon in the epic fantasy drama, Game of Thrones.

 

Gleeson began his career at eight with the Independent Theater Workshop. He got roles as a child actor in films like Reign of Fire, Batman Begins, etc.

 

Apart from GOT, Jack Gleeson has worked in A Shine of Rainbows, Shrooms, Killinaskully, Out of Her Mind, Rebecca’s Boyfriend, etc. He also starred in the TV series Sex Education and In the Land of Saints and Sinners.

 

 

43. Anthony Boyle

 

 

 

Anthony Boyle is an actor from Northern Ireland and has won a Laurence Olivier Award, with a nomination for a Tony Award for the same play.

 

Boyle originated the role of Scorpius Malfoy in the theatre play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on the West End and Broadway.

 

Apart from his remarkable stage plays, he has also worked in film and television. His acting credits include Tolkien, Plot Against America, Pillow Talk, Ordeal By Innocence, The Lost City of Z, Danny Boy, Patrick Melrose, Derry Girls, etc.

 

 

44. Devon Murray

 

 

 

Devon Murray is best known for his role as Seamus Finnigan in the Harry Potter franchise. He worked in all eight films in the franchise and has been part of the series for 10 years. 

 

Murray was six when he joined the Billie Barry stage school. Immediately, he started working in TV commercials and made his film debut.

 

After This is My Father, he got a breakthrough with Angela’s Ashes. He continued to perform in films like Yesterday’s Children, Head to Shrunken Head, Gone Fishing, Every Time You Need Me, etc.

 

 

45. Sean McGinley

 

 

 

Sean McGinley was born in County Donegal and studied at the University College of Galway. Later, he worked in the Druid Theater Company til 1989.

 

After debuting on TV, McGinley worked in The General, Braveheart, The Butcher Boy, Gangs of New York, Freeze Frame, Man About Dog, Michael Collins, On a Clear Day, Republic of Doyle, Midsomer Murders, Fir Bolg, The Alienist, Shetland, etc.

 

 

46. Michael McElhatton

 

 

 

Michael McElhatton studied drama at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London and moved back to Dublin to act in theatre.

 

He worked in local theatre plays and TV shows. McElhatton is also a writer and worked in many short films.

 

His most notable performances were in HBO’s Game of Thrones, Zack Snyder’s Justice League, The Alienist, The Wheel of Time, The Last Duel, etc.

 

 

47. Patrick Gibson

 

 

 

Patrick Gibson is an Irish actor who won the Rising Star Award at the 2017 IFTAs. Not much is known about his childhood or personal life.

 

He debuted in the TV series, The Tudors and played guest roles in multiple other TV series like Primeval, Neverland, The Passing Bells, etc.

 

Gibson worked on projects like The OA, What Richard Did, The Darkest Minds, Tolkien, Gold, In a Relationship, Their Finest, etc.

 

 

48. Richard Flood

 

 

 

Richard Flood is a Dubliner who has worked on TV series that were well-received by the audiences. He was noticed when he played Kenny O’Donnell, in Killing Kennedy, for a National Geographic Channel film.

 

He also worked in the European drama Crossing Lines as Ford. The flood continued work in the Irish crime drama Red Rock, Shameless, and later in Made in Italy. Flood appeared in Grey’s Anatomy as Dr. Cormac Hayes.

 

 

49.   A.J. Buckley

 

 

 

A. J. Buckley is a versatile and accomplished actor born on February 9, 1977, in Dublin, Ireland. Buckley moved to Canada and eventually found his passion for acting.

 

With his undeniable talent and dedication, he swiftly made a name for himself in both film and television.

 

Buckley’s breakthrough came with his portrayal of Adam Ross on the hit crime drama series “CSI: NY.”

 

Since then, he has delivered memorable performances in various projects, including “Supernatural,” “Justified,” and “SEAL Team.”

 

Buckley’s exceptional range and charismatic presence have solidified his status as a highly respected and sought-after actor in the industry.

 

 

50. Eoin Macken

 

 

Eoin Christopher Macken is an Irish actor, director, and model. Born in Dublin, Ireland, Macken initially pursued a career in psychology before transitioning into the world of acting and modelling. 

 

Macken’s acting career began in 2005 with a role in the Irish film “Studs.” He gained wider recognition through his portrayal of Sir Gwaine in the popular BBC fantasy series “Merlin” from 2008 to 2012. 

 

In addition to his television work, Macken has also appeared in several films, including “Centurion”, “The Night Shift”, “Resident Evil: The Final Chapter”, and “The Forest”. 

 

Beyond acting, Macken has also demonstrated his creative talents in directing and writing. He wrote and directed the short film “The Green Rabbit & The Ice Cream Girl” and the feature film “Here Are the Young Men”