Byrne, Gabriel 1950–
Byrne, Gabriel 1950–
PERSONAL
Born May 12, 1950, in Dublin, Ireland; son of a cooper and a hospital worker; married Ellen Barkin (an actress), 1988 (divorced, 1999; some sources cite 1993); children: Jack Daniel, Romy Marion. Education: Studied Gaelic and archaeology at the National University of Ireland, University College, Dublin; attended a seminary; trained as a bullfighter in Spain.
Addresses: Agent—United Talent Agency, 9560 Wilshire Blvd., Suite 500, Beverly Hills, CA 90212; International Creative Management, 8942 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills, CA 90211. Manager—Rick Yorn, Industry Entertainment, 955 Carrillo Dr., Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA 90048. Publicist—Tencer & Associates Public Relations, 429 La Marina Dr., Santa Barbara, CA 93109.
Career: Actor, producer, director, and writer. Plurabelle Films (production company), partner. Worked variously as an archeologist, columnist, teacher, cook, bartender, plumber, factory worker, messenger, and bullfighter. Affiliated with the Gabriel Byrne Croi Fund, West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation.
Awards, Honors: Jacob's Award (Ireland), best actor in television series—drama, nominating body, 1979, for Bracken; International Fantasy Film Award, best actor, Fantasporto, 1987, for Gothic and for Defence of the Realm; National Board of Review Award (with others), best acting by an ensemble, 1995, for The Usual Suspects; Golden Satellite Award nomination, best performance by an actor in a miniseries or motion picture made for television, International Press Academy, 1998, for Weapons of Mass Distraction; Maverick Tribute Award, Cinequest San Jose Film Festival, 1999; Theatre World Award, outstanding new performer, Antoinette Perry Award nomination, best actor in a play, and Drama Desk Award nomination, outstanding actor in a play, all 2000, for A Moon for the Misbegotten; Blockbuster Entertainment Award nomination, favorite actor—horror, 2000, for Stigmata; IFTA Award nomination, best actor in a feature film, Irish Film and Television Academy, 2005, for Wah-Wah; Outer Critics Circle Award, outstanding actor in a play, 2006, for A Touch of the Poet.
CREDITS
Film Appearances:
On a Paving Stone Mounted, 1978.
The Outsider, Paramount, 1980.
Lord Uther Pendragon, Excalibur, Orion/Warner Bros., 1981.
Bassett, The Rocking Horse Winner (short film), United International Pictures, 1983.
Joshua Herzog, Hannah K, Universal, 1983.
Major Kaempffer, The Keep, Paramount, 1983.
Nicholas "Nick" Mullen, Defence of the Realm (also known as Defense of the Realm and Nick Mullen), Hemdale Releasing/Warner Bros., 1985.
Augustine, Siesta, Lorimar Productions, 1987.
The black prince, Lionheart (also known as Lionheart: The Children's Crusade), Orion, 1987.
Kevin Scanlon, Hello Again, TriStar, 1987.
Lord Byron (George Gordon), Gothic, Vestron Pictures/Virgin Visions, 1987.
Paolo, Giulia e Giulia (also known as Julia and Julia), Cinecom International Films, 1987.
Saul Scourby, A Soldier's Tale, Atlantic Releasing, 1988.
Val, The Courier, Vestron Pictures, 1988.
Sir Hugo Buckton, Diamond Obsession (also known as Dark Obsession and Diamond Skulls), Film Four/British Screen/Circle Releasing, 1989.
Lieutenant John Merrick, Haakon Haakonsen (also known as Shipwrecked, Hakon Hakonsen, and Piratgrottans hemlighet), Buena Vista, 1990.
Tom Reagan, Miller's Crossing, Twentieth Century-Fox, 1990.
Jack Deebs, Cool World (live action and animated), Paramount, 1992.
Papa Reilly, Into the West, Miramax, 1992.
Bob, Point of No Return (also known as The Assassin, The Assassin—(Point of No Return), Girl No. 5, and The Specialist), Warner Bros., 1993.
Mackey, A Dangerous Woman, Gramercy Pictures, 1993.
Daniel Graham, Trial by Jury, Warner Bros., 1994.
Fenge, Prince of Jutland (also known as Royal Deceit, Amled, Prinsen af Jylland, and Prinsen af Jylland), Miramax, 1994.
Friedrich "Fritz" Bhaer, Little Women, Columbia/TriStar, 1994.
The good thief, All Things Bright and Beautiful, [Great Britain], 1994.
John Newland, A Simple Twist of Fate, Buena Vista, 1994.
Charlie, Dead Man (also known as Jim Jarmusch's "Dead Man"), Miramax, 1995.
Dean Keaton, The Usual Suspects (also known as Die Ueblichen Verdaechtigen), Gramercy Pictures, 1995.
Jack Kelly, Frankie Starlight, Fine Line Features, 1995.
Ben London, Mad Dog Time (also known as Trigger Happy), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer/United Artists, 1996.
Commandant Sean O'Brien, The Brylcreem Boys, Downtown Pictures, 1996.
Himself, Past into Present, Sherwood Productions, 1996.
Jack Griffin, The Last of the High Kings (also known as Summer Fling), Miramax, 1996.
Narrator, Irish Cinema: Ourselves Alone? (documentary), Miramax, 1996.
Roger Ellis, Somebody Is Waiting, LIVE Entertainment, 1996.
Dr. Hagard's Disease, 1996.
The mechanic, Smilla's Sense of Snow (also known as Smilla's Feeling for Snow, Fraeulein Smillas Gespuer fuer Schnee, Froeken Smillas kaensla foer snoe, and Froken Smillas fornemmelse for sne), Fox Searchlight Pictures, 1997.
Ray Bering, The End of Violence (also known as Am Ende der Gewalt and Am.Ende.der.Gerw@lt), Buena Vista/Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1997.
Rohan, This Is the Sea, First Look Pictures Releasing, 1997.
Bolek Pzoniak, Polish Wedding, Fox Searchlight Pictures, 1998.
D'Artagnan, The Man in the Iron Mask, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1998.
Fake Brill, Enemy of the State, Buena Vista, 1998.
Voice of Sir Lionel, Quest for Camelot (animated; also known as The Magic Sword: Quest for Camelot), Warner Bros., 1998.
Father Andrew Kiernan, Stigmata (also known as Toby's Story), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, 1999.
The man (Satan), End of Days, Buena Vista/Universal, 1999.
An Ideal Husband, Miramax, 1999.
Cameo appearance, When Brendan Met Trudy, Deadly Films/The Shooting Gallery, 2000.
The violinist, Canone inverso—making love (also known as Canone inverso), Cecchi Gori, 2000.
Semana santa, Senator Film, 2000.
Bill Cleg, Spider, Sony Pictures Classics/Odeon Films, 2002.
Captain Sean Murphy, Ghost Ship (also known as Chimera), Warner Bros., 2002.
Frank Lofton, Virginia's Run (also known as La chevauchee de Virginie), Virginia's Run Productions, 2002.
Jack Marlow/Stephen Bracken, Emmett's Mark (also known as Killing Emmett Young), 2002.
Narrator, Horses: The Story of Equus (short documentary), IMAX Corporation/La Geode, 2002.
Brother Juniper, The Bridge of San Luis Rey (also known as El puente de San Luis Rey and Le point du roil Saint-Louis), Fine Line Features, 2004.
Charlie Miller, Shade, RKO Pictures, 2003, Dimension Films, 2004.
Marquess of Steyne, Vanity Fair, Focus Features, 2004.
Peter Harrington, P.S., Newmarket Films, 2004.
Haven, Freestyle Releasing/Yari Film Group, 2004.
Harry Compton, Wah-Wah, Samuel Goldwyn, 2005.
Marcus Duvall, Assault on Precinct 13 (also known as Assaut sur le central 13), Focus Features/Rogue Pictures, 2005.
Stewart, Jindabyne, Village Roadshow Entertainment, 2005.
Eddie, Played, Celebration Pictures, 2006.
Phillip Parker, Leningrad, c. 2006, also broadcast as a miniseries, Channel One Russia, 2006.
The Namesake, Fox Searchlight Pictures, c. 2006.
Some sources cite an appearance in Dizzy Heights.
Film Director:
The Lark in the Clear Air, 1996.
Director of The Nature of Water and Air, Plurabelle Films.
Film Executive Producer:
(With others) In the Name of the Father, Universal, 1993.
Dr. Hagard's Disease, 1996.
(With others) The Last of the High Kings (also known as Summer Fling), Miramax, 1996.
Perfect Timing (also known as Mad about Mambo), Gramercy Pictures/USA Films, 2000.
Film Producer:
Associate producer, Into the West, Miramax, 1992.
(With others) The Brylcreem Boys, Downtown Pictures, 1996.
The Lark in the Clear Air, 1996.
(With others) Somebody Is Waiting, LIVE Entertainment, 1996.
Producer of The Nature of Water and Air, Plurabelle Films.
Television Appearances; Series:
Pat Barry, Bracken, Radio Teilifis Eireann, 1978–82.
Benjamin Madigan, Madigan Men, ABC, 2000.
Also appeared as Pat Barry, The Riordans, Radio Teilifis Eireann (formerly Teilifis Eireann), 1970s.
Television Appearances; Miniseries:
Ptolemy, The Search for Alexander the Great, [Great Britain], c. 1981, PBS, 1981.
Karl Ritter, Wagner, various networks, 1983, broadcast on Great Performances, PBS, 1983.
Cristoforo Colombo (title role), Christopher Columbus (also known as Cristoforo Colombo), CBS, 1985.
Vittorio Mussolini, Mussolini: The Untold Story, NBC, 1985.
Teddy Blue, Buffalo Girls, CBS, 1995.
(In archive footage) Heroes of Comedy: Women on Top, Comedy Central, 2003.
Himself, The 100 Greatest Movie Stars, Channel 4 (England), 2003.
Phillip Parker, Leningrad, Channel One Russia, 2006, also released theatrically, c. 2006.
Television Appearances; Movies:
Treatment, 1981.
William Masters, Reflections, BBC and Channel Four (England), 1984.
Draiocht, TG4 (Ireland), 1996.
Lionel Powers, Weapons of Mass Distraction, HBO, 1997.
Television Appearances; Specials:
Blazes Boylan and Keogh, Joyce in June, BBC, 1982.
Host, A Celtic Celebration, PBS, 1995.
Voice, Out of Ireland (also known as The Irish in America), PBS, 1995.
Himself, Divine Rites: The Story of Stigmata, 1999.
(Uncredited; in archive footage) Himself, Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary (also known as Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Primetime Special), NBC, 1999.
Himself, RIP 2002, Channel 4 (England), 2002.
Narrator, Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality Channel 4, 2003.
Voice of St. Patrick (title role), Patrick (documentary), 2004.
Television Appearances; Awards Presentations:
Presenter, The Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, CBS, 1995.
Presenter, The 18th Annual CableACE Awards, TNT, 1996.
Presenter, The Blockbuster Entertainment Awards, UPN, 1997.
(Uncredited) The 2001 IFP/West Independent Spirit Awards, Independent Film Channel, 2001.
Presenter, Second Irish Film and Television Awards, Radio Teilifis Eireann, 2004.
Television Appearances; Episodic:
Johnny Maguire, "The Flowers of Edinburgh," Strangers, Independent Television (England), 1981.
Guest host, Saturday Night Live (also known as NBC's "Saturday Night," Saturday Night Live '80, SNL, and SNL 25), NBC, 1995.
Himself, Inside the Actors Studio, Bravo, 2000.
Narrator, Intimate Portrait: Kim Cattrall, Lifetime, 2000.
Himself, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, NBC, 2000.
Himself, The Rosie O'Donnell Show, syndicated, 2000.
Himself, "Eugene O'Neill: A Haunted Life," Biography (also known as A & E Biography: Eugene O'Neill), Arts and Entertainment, 2002.
Himself, The View, ABC, 2002.
Himself, Tinseltown TV(also known as Tinseltown.TV), International Channel, 2003.
Himself, The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborn (also known as The Late Late Show), CBS, 2004.
Himself, "Assault on Precinct 13," HBO First Look, HBO, 2005.
Himself, Tubridy Tonight, Radio Teilifis Eireann, 2006.
Appeared in other programs, including Storytime, PBS.
Television Appearances; Pilots:
Benjamin Madigan, Madigan Men, ABC, 2000.
Television Work; Series:
Co-executive producer, Madigan Men, ABC, 2000.
Stage Appearances:
Host, Song of the Century (benefit), Broadhurst Theatre, New York City, 2000.
James Tyrone, Jr., A Moon for the Misbegotten, Walter Kerr Theatre, New York City, 2000, Goodman Theatre, Chicago, IL, 2000.
Translations, National Theatre Company, London, c. 2002–2004.
Kerry Max Cook, The Exonerated, 45 Bleecker, New York City, 2003.
Dublin's Abbey Theatre: Celebrating a Century of Theatre (readings), Metropolitan Club, New York City, 2003.
Cornelius Melody, A Touch of the Poet, Roundabout Theatre Company, Studio 54, New York City, 2005–2006.
Member of Abbey Theatre, Dublin, Ireland; performer with the Focus Theatre, Ireland, and with the Royal Court Theatre, London.
Stage Producer:
(With others) The Kings of Kilburn High Road, Irish Arts Center, New York City, 2002.
(With others) The Blowin' of Baile Gall, Irish Arts Center, 2005.
RECORDINGS
Audiobooks:
Oscar Wilde, The Star-Child and the Nightingale & the Rose, Audio Literature, 1996.
William Butler Yeats, The Poetry of William Butler Yeats, Audio Literature, 1996.
Gabriel Byrne, Pictures in My Head, Dove Audio, 1997.
Edgar Allan Poe, "The Masque of the Red Death," Closed on Account of Rabies, Mercury Records, 1997.
Myths & Tales of Ancient Ireland, Audio Literature, 1997.
Various authors, The New Yorker Out Loud, Mouth Almighty Records, c. 1998.
Celtic Myths and Folk Tales, New Star Media, 1999.
James Joyce, The James Joyce Collection, New Millennium Entertainment, 2001.
Videos:
End of Days: The Beginning (also known as Spotlight on Location: End of Days), Universal Studios Home Video, 2000.
(Uncredited; in archive footage) Father, Saturday Night Live: The Best of Molly Shannon, 2001.
Keyser Soeze: Lie or Legend?, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment, 2002.
Round Up: Deposing "The Usual Suspects," Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Home Entertainment, 2002.
Music Videos:
David & David, "Ain't So Easy," 1986.
WRITINGS
Screeenplays:
The Lark in the Clear Air, 1996.
The Last of the High Kings (also known as Summer Fling), Miramax, 1996.
Author of The Secret of Wyndham Hall and an adaption of The Nature of Water and Air, Plurabelle Films.
Teleplays; Movies:
Draiocht, TG4 (Ireland), 1996.
Nonfiction:
Landscape from a Window (essays), 1994.
Pictures in My Head (autobiography), Wolfhound Press, 1995, audio version released by Dove Audio, 1997.
Contributor to anthologies, including Forgiveness: Ireland's Best Contemporary Short Stories, edited by Augustine Martin, Four Walls Eight Windows, 1989. Author of "Seamus Deane," a piece appearing on The New Yorker Out Loud, an audio recording by Mouth Almighty Records, c. 1998. Columnist and contributor to periodicals, including Magill and the New Yorker.
OTHER SOURCES
Periodicals:
Elle, February, 1997.
Empire, issue 60, 1994, p. 7.
InStyle, March, 1997.
Los Angeles Times, December 20, 1994.
Movieline, May, 1998, pp. 72-75, 88-89, 94.
Neon, May, 1998.
New York, September 17, 1990, pp. 46-51.
New Yorker, November 28, 2005, p. 66.
New York Post, November 23, 1999.
New York Times, September 16, 1990; September 24, 1995; April 26, 2000.
People Weekly, April 21, 1997, p. 37.
Premiere, March, 1997, p. 43.
Rolling Stone, November 1, 1990, pp. 75-76.
Total Film, March, 2003, pp. 72-73.
Electronic:
Gabriel Byrne, http://www.gabrielbyrnesite.com, July 19, 2006.
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Byrne, Gabriel 1950–