Brendan Gleeson
Brendan Gleeson
Brendan Gleesonis an Irish actor. His best-known performances include supporting roles in films such as Braveheart, Gangs of New York, 28 Days Later, Troy, and the Harry Potter films and leading roles in films such as In Bruges, The Guard, and Calvary. He won an Emmy Award in 2009 for his portrayal of Winston Churchill in the film Into the Storm. He is also the father of actors Domhnall Gleeson and Brian Gleeson...
NationalityIrish
ProfessionMovie Actor
Date of Birth29 March 1955
CityDublin, Ireland
CountryIreland
When I first was able to fill in A-C-T-O-R for the occupation line on my passport, that was the first time I really felt, 'Wow, I'm home.'
As long as such suburbs do not end up as commuter dormitories or nothing more than commuter suburbs. The next stage is to produce a richer range of activities and employment opportunities so they can be more self-contained. I think Springfield is a first step, but only a first step and the next phase is going to be critical and that is achieving higher level of self-containment.
I don't maybe follow the normal star profile, and it's not something that I particularly want to embrace in terms of the publicity thing and wanting to be famous and known.
Actors will always tell you it's more fun playing bad guys. A lot of the time, it's criminals who are the people who don't care. There's something extraordinarily seductive about the guy who doesn't care, and to play that guy is terribly empowering, because you don't have to worry about the consequences of your actions.
You can channel a lot within a comic framework, and I think 'The Guard' had a lot going on outside of the comedy, which is satisfying.
What I voice, I voice though my art, if that's not too vainglorious a word. But I don't think it is.
The whole point of film for me is that it's such a joy. It's such a wonder. The possibilities are literally endless in terms of what you can creatively do.
I find myself really privileged to be able to go in and look at a set that the likes of Hollywood can provide, and say, 'My God, look at the craftsmanship in this; look at the ambition in it, the scale of it.'
The horror of a death without dignity has so much implications for the people who are left behind.
I'm very proud of 'Calvary.' It's been doing well; it has legs. It's no easy ride. It packs a punch, this one.
Everyone's waiting for the seventh book, and looking at each other saying, 'Oh, I wonder will I be in the running?
I think it's what art should do: make you feel less alone - either in the quest for truth or in dealing with any pain you have.
Winston was a bit of a challenge, all right, from a lot of different perspectives. It wasn't just the culture or the class divide or the historical baggage - it was also the age difference. We had to see if I could be aged-up legitimately, without it becoming some sort of hokey acting challenge.
I hope I'm worthy in my dying. I hope I can maintain myself - that I wouldn't become pathetic and needy, and the worst part of myself come out in adversity. But I'm not afraid of it. It'd be such a silly thing to do! To ruin the life you have by fearing its ending.