Brendan Gleeson was born on March 29, 1955, in Dublin, Ireland. He attended St. Joseph’s CBS in Fairview, Dublin, where he participated in the school’s drama group, demonstrating an early interest in performance. Although passionate about acting, he initially pursued a more conventional career path and worked as a secondary school teacher, teaching Irish and English at Catholic Belcamp College in Dublin.
While teaching, Gleeson remained active in the local theatre scene, taking on minor acting roles in and around Dublin. In 1987, he ventured into playwriting, penning three plays: The Birdtable, Breaking Up, and Babies and Bathwater. His growing involvement in the arts eventually led him to leave teaching in 1991 to pursue acting full time.
Following his career shift, Gleeson appeared in a series of notable films, establishing himself as a versatile and respected actor. His film credits include roles in Braveheart (1995), I Went Down (1997), Gangs of New York (2002), Cold Mountain (2003), and 28 Days Later (2002). In 2005, he gained international recognition for his portrayal of Alastor 'Mad-Eye' Moody in the widely successful Harry Potter film series.
Gleeson's commitment to historically significant and complex roles continued with his acclaimed portrayal of Winston Churchill in the HBO film Into the Storm (2009), for which he received a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or Movie.
Brendan Gleeson married his wife, Mary Weldon, in 1982. The couple has four sons: Domhnall, Brian, Fergus, and Ruairi. Domhnall Gleeson is also a successful actor and appeared as Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter series, acting alongside his father. Brian Gleeson has also pursued a career in acting.
Fluent in the Irish language (Gaelic), Brendan Gleeson is an active advocate for Irish culture. He regularly supports initiatives to promote the use and preservation of the Irish language in both education and the arts.
| Birth Date: | 29 Mar, 1955 |
| Age: | 65 yrs |
| Citizenship: | Ireland |
| Birth Place: | Dublin |
| Education: | Royal Academy of Dramatic Art |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | Irish actor |
| Net Worth 2021: | 4 million |
