Ray Stevenson headshot

Ray Stevenson

Actors - R
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Ray Stevenson headshot

Mini Biography

Born: 25 May 1964, Lisburn, Northern Ireland. 

Ray Stevenson was the son of a Royal Air Force pilot in Northern Ireland but his early life pointed towards a more artistic path. He studied art and worked as an interior designer for a while. However, a spark ignited at the age of 25 when he saw a play featuring John Malkovich. This encounter rekindled a childhood dream of acting, leading him to enroll at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School. Graduating at 29, Stevenson embarked on a journey that would see him become a formidable presence in … Read more

Laura Donnelly headshot

Laura Donnelly

Actors - L
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Laura Donnelly headshot
Mini Biography

Born: 24 June 1982, Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

Laura Donnelly’s early life was influenced by her surroundings, as she was raised during a tumultuous time in Northern Ireland’s history, marked by the Troubles. Despite this challenging backdrop, Laura found solace and inspiration in the world of performing arts from a young age.

Her pursuit of acting led her to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama (now known as the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland). After completing her education, Laura embarked on a career in acting, driven by her determination to make a mark in the entertainment … Read more

Ciarán Hinds headshot

Ciarán Hinds

Actors - C
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Ciarán Hinds headshot

Mini Biography

Born: 9 February 1953, Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Ciarán Hinds was raised in a working class family. He attended Holy Family Primary School and later enrolled at St. Malachy’s College, where his interest in acting began to flourish.

After completing his education, Hinds joined the Glasgow Citizens’ Theatre, and gained recognition in the theatre world for his performances in numerous Shakespearean plays, including “Richard III” and “Hamlet.”

Ciarán Hinds made his breakthrough on the big screen in 1981 with a role in “Excalibur.” Since then, he has appeared in a wide range of notable films, including “Road to Perdition” … Read more

Colin Morgan headshot

Colin Morgan

Actors - C
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Colin Morgan headshot

Mini Biography

Born: 1 January 1986, Armagh, Northern Ireland. 

Colin Morgan’s passion for acting ignited early, and he excelled in his drama classes at Integrated College Dungannon, earning the prestigious Denis Rooney Associates Cup for overall student excellence in his third year.

In 2004, Morgan’s pursuit of his craft led him to the Belfast Institute of Further and Higher Education, where he attained a National Diploma in Performing Arts. His talent and dedication caught the attention of the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and he successfully transitioned to the renowned institution, graduating in 2007.

Morgan’s professional debut marked a significant turning … Read more

Kenneth Branagh

Kenneth Branagh

Actors - K
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Kenneth Branagh

Mini Biography

Born: 10 December 1960, Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

Kenneth Branagh was the middle child in a working-class Protestant family, with an older brother, William Jr. and a younger sister, Joyce. Growing up in the Tigers Bay area of Belfast, Branagh’s early years were marked by the political turmoil of the Troubles. To escape the escalating violence, his family moved to Reading, Berkshire, England, when he was nine years old. This move had a profound impact on Branagh, who adopted an English accent to avoid being bullied at his new school.

Branagh’s interest in acting began during his school years, … Read more

James Nesbitt headshot

James Nesbitt

Actors - J
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James Nesbitt headshot

Mini Biography

Born: 15 January 1965, Broughshane, County Antrim, Northern Ireland. 

James Nesbitt is a Northern Irish actor who has appeared in various television and film roles since the late 1980s. He is best known for his roles as Adam Williams in the comedy-drama series Cold Feet, Ivan Cooper in the historical film Bloody Sunday, Tommy Murphy in the crime series Murphy’s Law, and Bofur in The Hobbit film trilogy.

James Nesbitt was born to a headmaster father and a civil servant mother. He has three older sisters, all of whom became teachers. He grew up in a rural area … Read more

Liam Neeson headshot

Liam Neeson

Actors - L
3 Comments

Liam Neeson headshot

Mini Biography

Born: 7 June 1995, Ballymena, Northern Ireland.

Liam Neeson’s life started not on stage, but in the boxing ring. A talented amateur, he traded punches before trading scripts, later attending Queen’s University Belfast to study physics and computer science. But fate had other plans. Drawn to the stage, Neeson took drama classes and joined Belfast’s Lyric Players’ Theatre, setting the course for his acting journey.

Early on, Neeson honed his craft in theater, joining the prestigious Abbey Theatre in Dublin. His 1981 film debut in “Excalibur” ignited his big-screen career, leading to memorable roles in “The Bounty,” “The … Read more