Brendan Gleeson
Brendan Gleeson is one of Ireland’s most acclaimed actors across film, television, and theatre. He starred in Martin McDonagh’s THE BANSHEES OF INISHERIN, for which he received Academy Award, BAFTA, Golden Globe, and Critics’ Choice nominations for Best Supporting Actor.
In 2024, he appeared in JOKER: FOLIE À DEUX, the sequel to Todd Phillips’ JOKER.
He is currently filming THE WEIR, the feature film adaptation of Conor McPherson’s acclaimed play. Brendan previously led the celebrated stage production of THE WEIR at the OLYMPIA THEATRE in Dublin, before transferring to the HAROLD PINTER THEATRE in London’s West End to widespread critical acclaim.
Recent screen work includes H IS FOR HAWK, opposite Claire Foy, the second series of Nick Hornby’s STATE OF THE UNION, directed by Stephen Frears, and his critically praised portrayal of Donald Trump in the CBS miniseries THE COMEY RULE, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He also appeared as King Duncan in Joel Coen’s film adaptation of THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH, and lent his voice to the role of The Huntsman in RIVERDANCE: THE ANIMATED ADVENTURE.
Brendan played the lead role across three seasons of the acclaimed series MR MERCEDES, based on Stephen King’s Bill Hodges trilogy.
His theatre work includes the role of Dinny in Landmark Productions’ THE WALWORTH FARCE by Enda Walsh, performed alongside Brian and Domhnall Gleeson.
Additional film credits include FRANKIE opposite Marisa Tomei (dir. Ira Sachs), THE BALLAD OF BUSTER SCRUGGS (dir. the Coen Brothers), PADDINGTON 2 (dir. Paul King), HAMPSTEAD opposite Diane Keaton (dir. Joel Hopkins), LIVE BY NIGHT (dir. Ben Affleck), ASSASSIN’S CREED (dir. Justin Kurzel), ALONE IN BERLIN opposite Emma Thompson (dir. Vincent Perez), TRESPASS AGAINST US (dir. Adam Smith), SUFFRAGETTE (dir. Sarah Gavron), and IN THE HEART OF THE SEA (dir. Ron Howard).
Earlier work includes CALVARY (dir. John Michael McDonagh), EDGE OF TOMORROW (dir. Doug Liman), and the animated feature SONG OF THE SEA (dir. Tomm Moore). He is also widely known for his roles as Professor Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody in the HARRY POTTER films and Sergeant Gerry Boyle in THE GUARD.
Brendan won a Primetime Emmy Award for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in HBO’s INTO THE STORM, and received Golden Globe and BAFTA nominations for the role. He was also nominated for Golden Globe and BAFTA awards for his performance as Ken in IN BRUGES.
An accomplished musician, Brendan plays both the fiddle and the mandolin.