Niall O'Brien (actor)

Niall O'Brien (8 February 1946 – 25 February 2009) was an Irish-born actor and member of the Abbey Theatre company, where he appeared in 130 productions. He also appeared in many films and television programs.[1]

Early life

O'Brien was born to Maureen (née Wright) and Michael O'Brien on February 8, 1946. He was the youngest of five children. He was born in Dalkey village, County Dublin, and grew up in nearby Glasthule. He was educated at the Christian Brothers School, Westland Row, Dublin, before going on to join the Abbey School of acting.

Career

After completing his leaving cert O'Brien started a building apprenticeship. Upon being accepted to the Abbey School of acting in the mid-1960s however, he took a year out of his apprenticeship to try a career as an actor, and never went back to the construction industry.

In his career as an Abbey actor he took part in 130 theatre productions,[2] including 27 world premiers. His first part was in the play Galileo in 1965. His last Abbey performance was appearing as Tom Mooney in Drama at Inis-Is Life Worth Living (2005). Niall toured internationally with the Abbey in Europe, Russia and much of the US.

In 1994 he appeared in a play by Irish playwright Teresa Deevy called "Katie Roche"[3] where he played the part of Frank Lawlor.

O'Brien also appeared in numerous television and film appearances throughout his career. These include the parts of Bernard in Ryan's Daughter (1971), Kay in Excalibur (1981), Owen McCarthy in The Year of the French (1982), Agent Rurik in Gorky Park (1983), Captain Twilley in Half Moon St (1986), Det. Insp. Isaac Gissing in Rawhead Rex (1986), Police Superintendent in The Playboys (1992), Josie McCarthy in Broken Harvest (1995) and Mr Moss in Vanity Fair (2004). He also appeared in single episodes of TV series Lovejoy, Boon, A Touch of Frost, Bachelors Walk and The Royal. In 2007 he was directed in the short film Teeth by his son, Ruairí O'Brien. This film went on to win awards at the Galway Film Fleadh and Brest European Short Film Festival .

Personal life

He married Brigid Sinnott and they had four children, residing from 1984 in Bray, Co. Wicklow.

Death

O'Brien died at home on 25 February 2009, from cancer, after a 20-month-long illness.[4]

Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
1970Ryan's DaughterBernard
1978ExposureOliver
1979The OutsiderEmmet Donovan
1981ExcaliburKay
1981LovespellCorvenal
1983Gorky ParkKGB Agent Rurik
1986Rawhead RexDet. Insp. Isaac Gissing
1986Half Moon StreetCaptain Twilley
1991King RalphMcGuire
1992The PlayboysPolice Superintendent
1994Black BeautyFarmer Thoroughgood
1994Broken HarvestJosie McCarthy
1994AilsaCounselor
1995BraveheartEnglish General
1995The Long Way HomeRay Priest
1997The Last Bus HomeJessop's Father
1998The Legend of 1900Harbor Master
2000When Brendan Met TrudyJudge
2000RatMan in Bookies
2001The Emperor's New ClothesBosun
2003Goldfish MemoryTaxi Driver
2003Conspiracy of SilenceJohn McLaughlin
2004Capital LettersMcManus
2004Vanity FairMr. Moss
2006Secret of the CaveUncle Ben
2008Situations VacantGerry O'Connell(final film role)

Playography
  • Katie Roche 1994

References
  1. "Versatile actor took part in 130 Abbey productions", The Irish Times, 7 March 2009.
  2. "The Abbey Theatre Archive".
  3. "The Teresa Deevy Archive".
  4. "O'BRIEN, Niall : Death notice". The Irish Times. 26 February 2009. Retrieved 12 March 2015.
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