Aidan Gillen
Aidan Gillen | |
---|---|
Aodhán Ó Giolláin | |
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Born | Aidan Murphy 24 April 1968 Drumcondra, Dublin, Ireland |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1985–present |
Spouse | Camille O'Sullivan (unmarried)
Olivia O'Flanagan
(m. 2001; sep. 2014) |
Children | 2 |
Aidan Gillen (/ˈɡɪlən/; born Aidan Murphy; 24 April 1968) is an Irish actor. He is known for his portrayal of Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish in the HBO series Game of Thrones (2011–2017), Dr. J. Allen Hynek in The History Channel's Project Blue Book (2019–present), Tommy Carcetti in the HBO series The Wire (2004–2008), Stuart Alan Jones in the Channel 4 series Queer as Folk (1999–2000), John Boy in the RTÉ series Love/Hate (2010–2011), Aberama Gold in the BBC One series Peaky Blinders (2017–2019), Queen's manager John Reid in Bohemian Rhapsody (2018), and CIA operative Bill Wilson in The Dark Knight Rises (2012); he also hosted seasons 10–13 of Other Voices (2011–2016).
Gillen has won three Irish Film & Television Awards[1] and has been nominated for a British Academy Television Award, a British Independent Film Award, and a Tony Award.[2]
Early life
Gillen was born in Drumcondra, Dublin. He was educated at St. Vincent's C.B.S. in Glasnevin. He began his acting career as a teenager with the Dublin Youth Theatre, playing Nick Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream at the Project Arts Centre before moving to London.[3]
Career
Gillen played Stuart Alan Jones in the Channel 4 television series Queer as Folk and its sequel, for which he received a British Academy Television Award nomination for Best Actor. He was nominated for a Tony Award for his Broadway role in Harold Pinter's play The Caretaker[4] and has also been nominated for an Irish Times Theatre Award for his portrayal of Teach in the Dublin Gate Theatre's 2007 production of David Mamet's American Buffalo.[5]
In 2004, having been spotted by producers in The Caretaker, Gillen was cast as Tommy Carcetti in the acclaimed HBO series The Wire, for which he received an Irish Film & Television Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role in Television. In 2008, he was named an "Irish cult hero" by the Sunday Tribune. He appeared in the 2009 film 12 Rounds, and in July of that year, he appeared in the one-off BBC2 drama Freefall. He co-starred as Phil Hendrick in the British drama Thorne.
In 2011, Gillen began playing Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish on the HBO series Game of Thrones, for which he received his second Irish Film & Television Award nomination.[6] He appeared in seven seasons,[7] until his character's death in the season 7 finale "The Dragon and the Wolf".[8] He starred as cop killer Barry Weiss in the British crime-thriller Blitz and in the British horror film Wake Wood. He played crime boss John Boy in the acclaimed Irish crime-drama Love/Hate,[9] for which he received his third Irish Film & Television Award nomination and second win.
In 2012, Gillen played CIA operative Bill Wilson[10] (referred to solely as "CIA" in the film's dialogue; the character's name is revealed in the film's novelisation) in The Dark Knight Rises, his first role in a major Hollywood film.[11] Gillen said he enjoyed playing the role, but preferred low-budget lead roles to blockbuster bit-parts.[11] Gillen's character was particularly noted by some Internet circles for his supposedly awkward delivery of dialogue in the film's opening plane scene, especially by users of 4chan's /tv/ board. Thus, he subsequently became the subject of an Internet meme popular among /tv/ users known as "Baneposting",[12] which references the dialogue between Wilson and Tom Hardy's character Bane in said scene.[13][14] The same year, Gillen also starred in the British spy-drama Shadow Dancer, and was announced as the new host of the music show Other Voices.[15][16]
Gillen starred in the BBC five-part thriller Mayday in 2013, and the Irish comedy-drama film Calvary the following year.[17] He shared a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination with the cast of Game of Thrones for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. He also starred in the short film Ekki Múkk,[18] created for the Valtari Mystery Film Experiment by Icelandic band Sigur Rós. Gillen also starred as Janson in the second film, The Scorch Trials, and third film, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, in the Maze Runner trilogy.[19]
Gillen played Queen's manager John Reid in the biopic Bohemian Rhapsody, which was released on 2 November 2018.[20]
Gillen currently stars in The History Channel's Project Blue Book. He plays Dr. J. Allen Hynek, a brilliant but under appreciated college professor who is recruited by the U.S. Air Force to spearhead an operation called Project Blue Book. He is joined by his partner, Air Force Capt. Michael Quinn as they investigate UFO sightings around the country. Project Blue Book was renewed for a second season in February 2019 amid strong ratings for the series, which is averaging 3.4 million viewers in L+3, making it the No. 1 new series on cable among total viewers this season.[21]
Personal life
Gillen married Olivia O'Flanagan in 2001. They have two children.[22] In 2009, when Gillen won an Irish Film and Television Award for his role in The Wire, he dedicated the award to his wife and children, whom Gillen has stated "were a big motivation" for him.[23] Gillen and O'Flanagan separated in 2014. Gillen's partner is singer Camille O'Sullivan.[24]
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1985 | The Drip | Young Guy | Short film |
1987 | The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne | Youth at Liquor Store | Credited as Aidan Murphy |
1988 | The Courier | Boy | |
1995 | Circle of Friends | Aidan Lynch | |
1996 | Some Mother's Son | Gerard Quigley | |
1997 | Mojo | Baby | |
1998 | Gold in the Streets | Paddy | |
Amazing Grace | Young Man | Short film | |
1999 | Buddy Boy | Francis | |
2000 | The Second Death | Pool Player | Short film |
The Low Down | Frank | ||
2001 | My Kingdom | Barry Puttnam | |
Robertson Major | William Robertson | Short film | |
2002 | The Final Curtain | Dave Turner | |
2003 | Photo Finish | Joe Wilde | |
Shanghai Knights | Lord Nelson Rathbone | ||
Burning the Bed | Stephen | Short film | |
2006 | Trouble with Sex | Conor | |
2008 | Blackout | Karl | |
2009 | 12 Rounds | Miles Jackson | |
2009 | Spunkbubble | Dessie | Short film |
Runners | Terry | ||
2010 | Treacle Jr. | Aidan | |
2011 | Wake Wood | Patrick Daley | |
Blitz | Barry Weiss | ||
2012 | The Dark Knight Rises | CIA Op Bill Wilson | |
Shadow Dancer | Gerry | ||
Ekki Múkk | Little One | Short film | |
The Good Man | Michael | ||
2013 | Scrapper | Ray | |
The Note | Lars | Short film | |
Mister John | Gerry Devine | ||
Beneath the Harvest Sky | Clayton | ||
Song | Dan | Short film | |
2014 | Calvary | Dr. Frank Harte | |
Still | Tom Carver | ||
Song | Dan | Short film | |
Ambition[25] | Master | ||
2015 | You're Ugly Too | Will | |
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials | Janson | ||
2016 | Sing Street | Robert | |
2017 | The Lovers | Robert | |
King Arthur: Legend of the Sword | Goosefat Bill | ||
2018 | Maze Runner: The Death Cure | Janson | |
Bohemian Rhapsody | John Reid (music manager) | ||
2019 | Rose Plays Julie | Peter | |
2020 | Those Who Wish Me Dead | Post-production |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1982 | Wanderly Wagon | Shadow | |
1990 | The Play on One | Harry | Episode: "Killing Time" |
1992 | An Ungentlemanly Act | Marine Wilcox | Television film |
1993 | A Handful of Stars | Tony | |
Belfry | Dominic | ||
The Bill | Jeff Barratt | Episode: "Play the Game" | |
Screenplay | Gypo | Episode: "Safe" | |
1994 | In Suspicious Circumstances | James Crozier | Episode: "To Encourage the Others" |
1999–2000 | Queer as Folk | Stuart Alan Jones | 10 episodes |
2000 | The Darkling | Jeff Obold | Television film |
Lorna Doone | Carver Doone | ||
2001 | Dice | Glenn Taylor | 2 episodes |
2002 | First Communion Day | Seamus | Television film |
2003 | Agatha Christie's Poirot | Amyas Crale | Episode: "Five Little Pigs" |
2004–2008 | The Wire | Thomas J. "Tommy" Carcetti | 35 episodes |
2005 | Law & Order: Trial by Jury | Jimmy Colby | Episode: "Vigilante" |
The Last Detective | Steve Fallon | Episode: "Willesden Confidential" | |
Walk Away and I Stumble | Paul | Television film | |
2009 | Freefall | Gus | |
2010 | Thorne | Phil Hendricks | 6 episodes |
Identity | DI John Bloom | ||
2010–2011 | Love/Hate | John Boy Power | 10 episodes |
2011–2017 | Game of Thrones | Petyr Baelish | 41 episodes |
2011–2013 | Other Voices | Himself (host) | |
2013 | Mayday | Everett Newcombe | 5 episodes |
2015 | Charlie | Charles J. Haughey | 3 episodes |
2017 | Urban Myths | Timothy Leary | Episode: "Cary Grant and Timothy Leary" |
2017–2019 | Peaky Blinders | Aberama Gold | 10 episodes |
2018 | Dave Allen at Peace | Dave Allen | Television film |
2019–present | Project Blue Book | J. Allen Hynek |
Music video
Year | Title | Artist |
---|---|---|
2012 | "Ekki múkk" | Sigur Rós[26] |
2014 | Valentine | I Draw Slow |
2016 | Cameo[27] | Mick Flannery |
2020 | Fontaines D.C. | A Hero's Death |
Audiobooks
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
1994 | Paddy Clarke Ha Ha Ha | ASIN B0051H6FW4, |
1995 | Felicia's Journey | ASIN B000PYA4MA, ASIN B002X7UY36 |
1995 | The Barrytown Trilogy: The Commitments | ASIN B002SQCXX6 |
1998 | Irish Short Stories | |
2010 | The Poetry of Ireland | ASIN B003GQ6S2O |
2015 | The Art of War |
Radio
Year | Title | Notes |
---|---|---|
2013 | The Last Tycoon | BBC Radio 4[1][2] |
Video games
Year | Title | Voice role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Quantum Break | Paul Serene | Also motion capture |
Stage
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1981 | The Do-It-Yourself Frankenstein Outfit | Robot | Dublin Youth Theatre |
1988 | The Wexford Trilogy: A Hand of Stars | Tony | Bush Theatre |
1989 | Juno and the Paycock | Soldier | Royal National Theatre |
1989 | Blue | Ed Ache / Fred | National Theatre Studio |
1989 | The Long Way Round | Albin | Royal National Theatre |
1989 | The Water Engine | Bernie | Hampstead Theatre |
1990 | Lovers Meeting | Joe Hession | Druid Theatre Company |
1991 | The Patriot Game | Pearse | Abbey Theatre |
1991 | The Wexford Trilogy: Belfry | Dominic | Bush Theatre |
1992 | Drama at Inish | Eddie Twohig | Abbey Theatre |
1993 | The Wexford Trilogy | Tony / Dominic | Abbey Theatre |
1993 | Marvin's Room | Hank | Hampstead Theatre Comedy Theatre |
1994 | The Playboy of the Western World | Christopher Mahon | Almeida Theatre |
1995 | Mojo | Skinny | Royal Court Theatre |
2000 | The Tempest | Ariel | Almeida Theatre |
2001 | Platonov | Platonov | Almeida Theatre |
2003 | The Caretaker | Mick | Roundabout Theatre |
2005 | Someone Who'll Watch Over Me | Edward | New Ambassadors Theatre |
2007 | American Buffalo | Teach | Gate Theatre |
2007 | Glengarry Glen Ross | Richard Roma | Apollo Theatre |
2015 | The Dead | Sam Wanamaker Playhouse | |
2020 | Faith Healer | Frank Hardy | Abbey Theatre[28] |
Awards and nominations
References
- ^ "IFTA winners 2012 announced". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 29 April 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Harris, David (2 February 2016). "Current (Aidan Gillen) and future (Richard E. Grant) Game of Thrones Actors discuss their careers". Winter is Coming. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
- ^ Mark Lawson (2 October 2007). "'I don't mind nasty roles'". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
- ^ "Aidan Gillen Tony Award". Broadwayworld. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Theatre Awards Shortlist Announced". RTÉ. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ "Aidan Gillen – Nominated for TWO IFTA awards". Live Journal. Archived from the original on 3 December 2012. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
- ^ Dresdale, Andrea (12 April 2015). "'Game of Thrones' Premiere: What to Expect from Season 5". ABC News. Go.com. Retrieved 24 April 2015.
- ^ MacDonald, Lindsay (27 August 2017). "The Game of Thrones Finale Featured a Major Reveal and a Long-Awaited Death". TV Guide. Retrieved 28 August 2017.
- ^ "Third series of Love/Hate in development". RTÉ. Archived from the original on 25 May 2012. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ Cox, Greg (24 July 2012). The Dark Knight Rises: The Official Novelization. London: Titan Books. ISBN 978-1-78116-106-7.
- ^ a b Mottram, James (14 September 2013). "Lost soul: Aidan Gillen is taking on an existential crisis in the spiky Mister John". The Independent. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ^ "Baneposting". Know Your Meme. Retrieved 12 February 2018.
- ^ Broderick, Ryan (25 January 2017). "Trump Supporters And Neo-Nazis Are Using Secret Chatrooms To Harass Shia LaBeouf". BuzzFeed. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ^ "Aidan Gillen has accidentally become part of a bizarre 'alt-right meme'". The Daily Edge. 29 January 2017. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
- ^ "Gillen is new Other Voices host". RTÉ. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ "I did warn you not to trust me…". UniversityObserver. Archived from the original on 14 July 2012. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ "Aidan Gillen in BBC thriller Mayday". Digital Spy. Retrieved 21 August 2012.
- ^ "Sigur Rós – Ekki múkk". Vimeo. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
- ^ Kit, Borys (26 September 2014). "'Game of Thrones' Actor to Play Villain in 'Maze Runner' Sequel (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
- ^ Galuppo, Mia (26 September 2017). "Aidan Gillen, Tom Hollander Join Cast of Queen Biopic 'Bohemian Rhapsody'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- ^ Petski, Denise; Petski, Denise (10 February 2019). "'Project Blue Book' Renewed For Season 2 By History – TCA".
- ^ "Hot off the Wire". Herald. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ "Winners of the 6th Annual Irish Film and Television Awards". Irish Film and Television Academy. Retrieved 16 August 2012.
- ^ Greenstreet, Rosanna (6 May 2017). "Aidan Gillen: 'My best kiss? Up against a caravan in County Sligo as a teenager'". The Guardian.
- ^ "Game of Thrones star takes lead in hard sci-fi 'Ambition' (Wired UK)". Wired.
- ^ Carrie, Battan (24 September 2012). "Watch: New Sigur Rós Video Starring Aiden Gillen, a.k.a. Mayor Tommy Carcetti From "The Wire"". Pitchfork. Retrieved 7 September 2016.
- ^ Madden, Peter (26 September 2016), CAMEO, retrieved 1 August 2017
- ^ "Faith Healer". Abbey Theatre. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
- ^ "MIFF Awards Winners MIFF Tour". Milan International Film Festival Awards.
- ^ "Empire Hero Award". Empireonline.com. Bauer Consumer Media. 2015. Archived from the original on 14 July 2015. Retrieved 1 April 2015.
- ^ Eliahou, Maya (9 June 2016). "Teen Choice Awards 2016—Captain America: Civil War Leads Second Wave of Nominations". E! Online. Retrieved 17 June 2016.
- ^ "Teen Choice Awards 2018: See the full list of winners". EW.com. Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 13 August 2018.
External links
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