Jim Norton (actor)
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This biographical article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2011) |
| Jim Norton | |
|---|---|
| Born | 4 January 1938 Dublin, Ireland |
| Years active | 1977-present |
Jim Norton (born 4 January 1938) is an Irish character actor.
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Performances [edit]
Jim Norton has been acting for over forty years in theatre, television, and movies, and frequently plays clergymen, most notably Bishop Brennan in the sitcom Father Ted, as well as roles in The Sweeney (1977), Peak Practice (1993), Sunset Heights (1997), A Love Divided (1999), Rebus: Black and Blue (2000), Mad About Mambo (2000), and Boxed (2003).
He starred as Finian McLonergan in the critically acclaimed New York City Center's 2009 production of Finian's Rainbow,[1][2][3] and in October 2009, reprised the role in the Broadway revival at the St. James Theatre. His co-stars were Cheyenne Jackson (Woody) and Kate Baldwin (Sharon).
Television [edit]
As well as Bishop Brennan in Father Ted, he also played Albert Einstein in two episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Norton appeared in an edition of the highly acclaimed 1970's British television drama series Colditz, as the librarian Lieutenant James Porteous. He appeared in two episodes of Van der Valk. On Babylon 5 he appeared in a number of roles including "Ombuds Wellington" in 1994 episodes "Grail" and "The Quality of Mercy"; a Narn ("Dust to Dust", 1996); and Dr. Lazarenn, a Markab doctor in "Confessions and Lamentations" (1995). In Fall of Eagles he played Alexander Kerensky.
He appeared as O'Brady in National Pelmet, the Series 2 opener of critically acclaimed drama Minder.
He has appeared in Agatha Christie's Poirot, Waking the Dead, Cheers, Frasier, Midsomer Murders, Maigret and Rumpole of the Bailey as "Fig Newton".
In stark contrast to his role as the terrifying Bishop Brennan in the TV series Father Ted, one of Norton's earlier UK television roles was as the timid Gardener in the first series of the long-running CITV children's series T-Bag, ('Wonders in Letterland').
He also played the role of Stan Laurel in the BBC drama Stan.
Movies [edit]
Norton's most recent film is Water for Elephants, in which he portrays a circus worker called "Camel" who befriends a character played by Robert Pattinson.
He appeared in the 1969 epic film Alfred the Great as Thanet.
Norton played the part of "Pongo" in the screen version of Spike Milligan's war-time memoir 'Adolf Hitler. My Part in his Downfall.' In 1971 he played "Chris Cawsey" (aka "The Rat Man"), one of several villains in the controversial Sam Peckinpah movie Straw Dogs starring Dustin Hoffman. His character had a deviously infectious, deliberately irritating laugh that helped build tension throughout the film.(see external links)
He starred in the movie Memoirs of an Invisible Man alongside Chevy Chase in 1992.
He appeared in the comedy On the Nose as Patrick Cassidy, along with Dan Aykroyd and Robbie Coltrane, in 2001.
He appeared in a brief cameo in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets in 2002 as Mr. Mason.
He played Herr Lizst in the 2008 holocaust film The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas.
He played an Irish immigrant in the 2005 Australian/UK co-production, The Oyster Farmer.
He appeared in the 1992 Irish-made film Into the West.
He played title role of Stan Laurel in the 2006 TV movie Stan, based on Neil Brand's radio play of the same name.
Theatre [edit]
In 2004 he took part in the touring production of Martin McDonagh's The Pillowman.
In 2006/7 he appeared in Conor McPherson's The Seafarer at The National Theatre, and reprised the same role in the 2008 Broadway theatre production of the play.
In 2012, he performed as The Chairman in a Broadway adaptation of The Mystery of Edwin Drood.
Audio work [edit]
Norton provided the voice for Major Kennet for the 2003 Doctor Who animated serial, Scream of the Shalka.
He has recorded the whole of James Joyce's Ulysses (with Marcella Riordan), Dubliners, Finnegans Wake (abridged with Marcella Riordan) and A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man for Naxos Records.[4]
Thorndyke: Forensic Investigator: for BBC Radio 4 Extra 2011.
BBC Radio production of 'The Mustard Seed' by Nick Warburton
The House on the Borderland by William Hope Hodgson: BBC Radio 4 Extra, May 2012
Mr Deasy in Ulysses: BBC Radio 4 production for Bloomsday 16th June 2012
Narrator: The Stack, short story by Rose Tremain, broadcast on BBC Radio 4 Extra, 24th September 2012.
Awards [edit]
- Jacob's Awards - Solo, for Telefís Éireann in 1964 in which he played a gay man.
- Legend Award - as the older Stan Laurel in a television docu-drama about Laurel and Hardy. (Elk Acting Festival, Dundonald, Belfast). Norton did not appear as he did not expect to win the award.
- Olivier Award - Best Actor in a Supporting Role for The Seafarer
- Tony Award - Best Featured Actor in a Play for The Seafarer
References [edit]
- ^ Isherwood, Charles (2009-03-28). "An Irish Immigrant in Missitucky With the Lowdown on High Finance". New York Times. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ Scheck, Frank (2009-03-28). "Brief Dazzling Vision". New York Post. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ Suskin, Steven (2009-03-28). "Finian's Rainbow". Variety. Retrieved 2009-08-19.
- ^ Joyce, James. "Ulysses". Naxos (2004).
External links [edit]
- Jim Norton at the Internet Movie Database
- Jim Norton at the Internet Broadway Database
- Jim Norton at Memory Alpha (a Star Trek wiki)
- List of Performances at FilmReference.com
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