Brendan Gleeson is set to return to the big screen alongside longtime pal Colin Farrell as his new film The Banshees of Inisherin hits cinemas.
Filmed in the late summer of 2021 on Achill in Co Mayo and Inis Mór in County Galway, the movie has already received a 15-minute standing ovation at the Venice Film Festival and has been credited as one of Brendan's greatest performances.
The 67-year-old has made a name for himself by starring in legendary roles in films such as In Bruges, Harry Potter and The Guard.
However, he wasn't always so sure that he'd go into a life of showbiz.
The Dublin man actually didn't start acting professionally until he was in his 30s after his wife Mary encouraged him to do what he loved.
Here's everything we know about Brendan Gleeson, his family, the early years and his net worth.
Early career
Brendan was born in Dublin and went to school in Fairview.
He studied English and Irish at University College Dublin (UCD) and is fluent in the Irish language.
Having completed his studies, he worked as a secondary teacher for years before pursuing his true passion as an actor.
Brendan was trying to make a career for himself whilst still teaching, doing semi-professional and professional productions in Dublin and surrounding areas.
He left the teaching profession to commit full-time to acting in 1991.
Marriage
Brendan has been married to his wife, Mary Weldon, since 1982. He keeps his marriage very private but has said that it was her who encouraged him to take up acting.
"In the summer of 1989, I was working at the Tivoli Theatre and the Olympia Theatre in Dublin, and I was making a little bit of money," he told Variety Magazine.
"My wife Mary is very level-headed, and she encouraged me. She was incredibly supportive.
"We both felt it was time to make the jump, and she went back to work at the Abbey Theatre in the first few years to make sure the family was taken care of."
Famous sons
Brendan and Mary have four sons, two of which, Domhnall and Brían, followed in their father's footsteps, while Fergus is a musician and Rúairí a writer.
Domhnall grew up as the eldest son and has appeared in a number of films and theatre projects alongside his father, such as the Harry Potter franchise.
He's also starred in projects like the famous film About Time and the Black Mirror TV series.
Brian Gleeson also broke into the entertainment industry in 2006, first appearing alongside his father in The Tiger's Tail.
He then starred as John Boy's sidekick Hughie in Love/Hate season one.
Other notable appearances include the film Tiger Raid, Phantom Thread, The Stag, Taken Down, Peaky Blinders, Top Boy and Assassin's Creed.
Fergus and Rory have also embraced the world of film, with Brendan's directorial debut, short film Psychic, written by his son Rory, with music from Fergus.
Net worth
Brendan Gleeson's net worth is currently unknown. However, some suggest the actor has amassed an €8 million fortune since the beginning of his career.
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