For much of modern cinema history, one industry has dominated the global stage: Hollywood. Even the United Kingdom’s vast studio system has often struggled to compete with its reach and influence. In this landscape, actors from Ireland, like many from around the world, set their sights on the American dream. As a result, many Irish performers rose to prominence in Hollywood, sometimes with their Irish heritage overlooked or downplayed.
In this (entirely subjective) list, we’re celebrating some of the finest Irish actors and actresses to grace our screens. Think we’ve missed your favourites? Let us know!
| Actor | Years active | Notable performances |
|---|---|---|
| Maureen O'Hara | 1938 - 2000 | The Quiet Man Miracle on 34th Street The Parent Trap |
| Daniel Day-Lewis | 1971 - present | There Will Be Blood My Left Foot Lincoln |
| Richard Harris | 1956 - 2002 | The Snow Goose Unforgiven Harry Potter Films |
| Peter O'Toole | 1954 - 2012 | Lawrence of Arabia The Lion in Winter Mr Chips |
| Colin Farrell | 1995 - present | In Bruges Horrible Bosses Saving Mr Banks |
| Saoirse Ronan | 2003 - present | Atonement The Lovely Bones Lady Bird |
| Liam Neeson | 1976 - present | Nell Schindler's List The Grey |
| Maureen O'Sullivan | 1930 - 1994 | Tarzan Anna Karenina Pride and Prejudice |
| Michael Fassbender | 2001 - present | Shame Band of Brothers Hunger |
| Ruth Negga | 2003 - present | Isolation Loving Passing |
| Barry Fitzgerald | 1924 - 1961 | The Quiet Man Going My Way Naked City |
| Cillian Murphy | 1996 - present | Peaky Blinders The Wind that Shakes the Barley Oppenheimer |
| Stephen Rea | 1962 - present | The Crying Game The Honourable Woman Angel |
| Cyril Cusack | 1918 - 1983 | Harold and Maude Fahrenheit 541 The Day of the Jackal |
| Pierce Brosnan | 1975 - present | 007 Mamma Mia Love is All You Need |
Maureen O'Hara
Maureen FitzSimons arrived in Hollywood just in time for the new Technicolor film cameras to showcase her natural red hair in its most glorious light. However, studio executives weren't thrilled with her last name; she changed it under protest. With that bit of disagreement ironed out, she went on to star in many Western films, opposite John Wayne. She returned to the silver screen after a 20-year hiatus, to star opposite John Candy, in Only the Lonely (1991).
The first person to receive the American Ireland Fund Lifetime Achievement Award (1982)
Received an honourary degree from the National University of Ireland, Galway (1988)
Listed in The Irish Times as the #1 greatest Irish actors (2020)
Second actress to receive an honourary Oscar, after never having been nominated.
Daniel Day-Lewis
This most renowned of Irish actors draws on his father's Irish roots to claim his heritage. His dad, Cecil Day-Lewis, ranks among the top Irish poets. Daniel lives in Ireland when he's not in Los Angeles, shooting his latest film. However, he confesses that it's a matter of privacy, rather than any special love for the 'old homestead'.
In 2008, Dame Helen Mirren 'knighted' him with the Oscar statuette she presented him, on the Academy Awards stage. He quipped that would be the closest he would ever come to getting a knighthood. He received his official investiture in 2014.
Richard Harris
Richard Harris wasn’t just a commanding presence on stage and screen — he also made a mark in the recording studio. Though best known for his stirring performance in Camelot and later roles in Gladiator and Harry Potter, Harris enjoyed an unexpected pop music career. In 1968, he recorded the surreal and ambitious ballad MacArthur Park, which became a top ten hit in both the UK and the US. He went on to release several albums, surprising many with the depth of his musical ambitions.
Peter O'Toole
This prolific actor is the self-proclaimed unluckiest in Hollywood. He felt the Honourary Award the Academy wanted to bestow on him was a mere consolation prize.
[I'd like more time] to win the lovely bugger outright.
Peter O'Toole
His children persuaded him to accept the 'consolation prize'. Meryl Streep, one of the most-nominated Hollywood actors, presented his statuette.
Peter O'Toole, himself, was uncertain of his birthplace and date. He had two documents, one from England and the other from Ireland, that each claimed he was born there. Regardless, his father's Irish roots are without question, and he always identified with Irish culture and country.
Colin Farrell
In the early 2000s, Colin Farrell earned a reputation as 'Hollywood’s last bad boy' — a label he’s openly acknowledged in interviews. These days, he’s clean, sober, and channelling his energy into meaningful causes. Farrell has served as a spokesperson for anti-bullying initiatives and the Special Olympics, and acts as an Ambassador for the Homeless World Cup. He also established a foundation in honour of his son, who has Angelman syndrome, to support adults with intellectual disabilities.
Saoirse Ronan
Saoirse Ronan’s Irish parents left Ireland during the recession of the 1980s, hoping to build a better life in New York. However, they faced many of the same hardships abroad and eventually returned home when Saoirse was just three years old. She was raised in County Carlow, where her early exposure to storytelling and performance laid the foundation for a remarkable acting career. Today, Ronan stands proudly among a growing list of influential Irish women making their mark on the world stage — a legacy shared by trailblazers across Irish history.
Liam Neeson
Liam Neeson may well be Ireland’s most high-profile — yet curiously underappreciated — acting talent. His remarkable range allows him to move seamlessly between live theatre and blockbuster films, with equal ease. And yet, despite his commanding presence and global recognition, it’s unlikely he’ll ever pivot to becoming one of Ireland’s famous political figures. Known for his candour, Neeson has occasionally sparked public controversy with his unfiltered remarks.
Maureen O'Sullivan
Though best known for her recurring role as Jane in Hollywood's many Tarzan films, Maureen O'Sullivan's catalogue reflects a wide acting range. A prolific actress, she turned out two or more films per year, well into her 70s. 1932 was her busiest year: eight titles to her credit!
Michael Fassbender
Although raised in Ireland and born to an Irish mother, Michael Fassbender has never formally applied for Irish citizenship. Interestingly, his family history includes a notable connection to Michael Collins, one of the most influential leaders of the Irish independence movement and one of Ireland's most important historical figures. Given his deep roots and cultural ties, Fassbender’s place in the pantheon of Irish talent feels well-earned, even if he was technically born abroad.
Besides acting, Fassbender is also an avid motorsport enthusiast. He competes in professional endurance racing and has taken part in prestigious events such as the European Le Mans Series
Ruth Negga
Ruth Negga is one of the most sought-after Irish actresses working today. She began her career on stage, honing her craft in theatre before transitioning to film. Acclaimed director Neil Jordan gave her an early screen role, helping to introduce her talent to wider audiences. Negga’s most celebrated performance came in Loving (2016), where she portrayed Mildred Loving — the African-American civil rights icon whose landmark legal case helped strike down laws banning interracial marriage in the United States.
Barry Fitzgerald
Barry Fitzgerald started his career as a civil servant, a post he was quite pleased with.
It was an easy job, full of leisure.
Barry Fitzgerald, New York Times interview
Easy, perhaps, but likely not satisfying. He began dabbling in theatre, using his stage name to avoid trouble with the civil service. He couldn't keep from being noticed for his scene-stealing performances. Ten years into playing amateur parts, he finally gave up the civil service to act full-time.
Cillian Murphy
It seems Cillian Murphy was destined for the stage from an early age. He formed a band with friends when he was just ten, convinced his future lay in music. But it wasn’t until secondary school, during a drama module, that he experienced the unmistakable thrill of performing — a moment that would quietly shape his future. Although he initially resisted the pull of acting, it eventually became clear that this was where his true passion lay.
Several outlets call Cillian the Cheekbones of Cork.
Stephen Rea
Unlike Cillian Murphy, Stephen knew straightaway that acting would be his life. He majored in English at Queen's University Belfast, and studied Drama at Abbey Theatre School. His first foray into his career was in theatre, where he worked with Colm Meany and Gabriel Byrne. His film debut, in The Crying Game, was a revelation, which set him on the path to superstardom.
Cyril Cusack
This Irish actor is best known for his many supporting roles. Over a career spanning more than 70 years, on both stage and screen, he never took centre stage as the lead, but always made his presence felt. He embraced the art of the supporting performance with flair and finesse, consistently bringing depth, humanity, and a touch of Ireland to every role he played.
Cyril was father to Sinéad, Sorcha, Niamh, Pádraig, and Catherine Cusack.
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan ranks among the most famous Irish people in the world. Not just for his high-profile roles in Mamma Mia and as 007, but for his deep social consciousness. From an early age, he protested against environmental harms, particularly nuclear testing. He did so as a proud Irishman:
My Irishness is in everything I do. It's the spirit of who I am, as a man, an actor, a father. It's where I come from.
Pierce Brosnan
That might be the perfect note to end on, but Pierce is not yet done demonstrating his Irishness. Look for him in upcoming projects, including The Thursday Murder Club and the King of Kings.
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