Happy birthday, big man.
Brendan Gleeson turns 60 today. Arguably the most versatile screen actor to ever come from Ireland, Gleeson has gone from respected character actor to leading man quickly, quietly and emphatically.
Here are our favourite moments from the former schoolteacher who is so good that he spawned a dynasty, with his sons Domhnall and Brian set to keep the family name going strong for decades to come.
“I’m Irish, sure. Racism’s part of my culture…” (The Guard)
Can’t agree with the sentiment, but there’s no arguing with the charisma that Gleeson brought to the role of a corrupt member of An Garda Siochána in John Michael McDonagh’s pitch black comedy.
Beating the shite out of Mel Gibson (Braveheart)
This would be one of our many dream jobs.
https://youtu.be/Xp_BFifA8Bg
“Could I have a word? In private?” (Calvary)
Like The Guard, Calvary is far from a perfect film but it’s rescued by one of the best screen performances of 2014 from Gleeson. He plays a priest waiting for a showdown in rural Ireland, his performance as craggy and weather-broken as the scenery.
“You’ve had to come down to my level…” (The General)
This was one of the moments of Gleeson’s career so far, directed by John Boorman in the story of the life of notorious gangland figure Martin Cahill.
“Bruges is not a shi*hole” (In Bruges)
One of the best films of the last 10 years. Granted, Colin Farrell gets the best lines, but Gleeson plays the straight man excellently and his scene with Ralph Fiennes at the end is chilling (cut to 2:30 for the best bit).
And for a little something extra…
Not a film, but comic gold with his son Domhnall.
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