Domhnall Gleeson: Biography, Career, Family | Irish Actor

You’ve likely spotted him in a galaxy far, far away or as the eldest Weasley brother, but Domhnall Gleeson’s story starts in Dublin, not on a film set. The Irish actor has quietly built a career that jumps from indie dramas to blockbuster franchises, often sharing the screen with his father, Brendan Gleeson. This piece looks at where he comes from, the roles that made him famous, and the family ties that keep him rooted in Ireland.

Born: 12 May 1983 · Nationality: Irish · Occupation: Actor, screenwriter, producer · Known for: Bill Weasley in Harry Potter · Father: Brendan Gleeson

Six key details that define Domhnall Gleeson’s profile, drawn from verified sources.

Who is Domhnall Gleeson?

Biographical overview

• Domhnall Gleeson is an Irish actor, screenwriter and producer, born on 12 May 1983 in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia).
• His father, Brendan Gleeson, is a renowned Irish actor (Wikipedia).
• He has a younger brother, Brian Gleeson, who is also an actor (Wikipedia).

Career highlights

• Gleeson began his screen career in 2006 with a role in the Irish film Studs.
• He gained international recognition playing Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter films (2010-2011).
• His filmography spans independent cinema and major franchises, including About Time (2013), Ex Machina (2015), and the Star Wars sequel trilogy.

The implication: Gleeson’s career choices reflect a calculated balance between artistic integrity and commercial reach.

What is Domhnall Gleeson’s most famous role?

Portrayal of Bill Weasley in Harry Potter

• Gleeson played Bill Weasley, the eldest Weasley sibling, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 (2011) (IMDb).
• The role introduced him to a global audience and remains his most-watched performance.

Other notable film roles

• In 2013 he starred opposite Rachel McAdams in Richard Curtis’s time-travel romance About Time (IMDb).
• He portrayed Caleb, a young programmer, in the AI thriller Ex Machina (2015) (IMDb).
• He appeared in The Revenant (2015) alongside Leonardo DiCaprio (IMDb).
• From 2015 to 2019 he played General Hux in the Star Wars sequel trilogy (Fandango).

The pattern: Gleeson’s filmography shows that his most recognized role is not his most artistically ambitious.

Are Brendan and Domhnall Gleeson related?

Father-son relationship

• Yes, Brendan Gleeson is Domhnall Gleeson’s father (IMDb).
• Brendan Gleeson is also the father of actor Brian Gleeson (Wikipedia).

Career parallels

• Both have built careers on stage and screen in Ireland and internationally.
• They have appeared together in films such as Calvary (2014) and the upcoming Echo Valley (2025).

The pattern: a rare Irish acting dynasty where both generations sustain independent credibility while engaging with Hollywood.

Is Domhnall Gleeson Irish?

Nationality and birthplace

• Domhnall Gleeson was born in Dublin, Ireland (German Wikipedia).
• He is Irish by nationality and identifies as such in interviews.

Family background

• His father Brendan and mother Mary Weldon raised him in Malahide, County Dublin.
• He has described his upbringing as “very Irish” in interviews with Irish media.

What this means: despite his Hollywood fame, Gleeson’s identity remains firmly tied to Ireland — a point he often reinforces when discussing his choices of roles and residence.

Does Domhnall Gleeson live in Ireland?

Current residence

• Gleeson is based in Ireland, though the exact location has not been widely publicised.
• He has spoken about valuing the privacy and creative community in Dublin.

Relationship with Ireland

• He frequently collaborates with Irish directors and participates in Irish film festivals.
• In 2023 he was reported to be living in a house in the Irish countryside.

The implication: Gleeson’s Irish base is more of a homecoming than a permanent address.

What other movies and TV shows has Domhnall Gleeson appeared in?

Filmography highlights

• Dredd (2012) – played the tech-savvy trainee Judge.
• Frank (2014) – a dark comedy where he played a wannabe musician opposite Michael Fassbender.
• Brooklyn (2015) – a supporting role in the Oscar-nominated drama.
• American Made (2017) – a CIA pilot role alongside Tom Cruise.
• Goodbye Christopher Robin (2017) – portrayed A.A. Milne.
• mother! (2017) – a divisive Darren Aronofsky film.
• Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (2021) – voiced Thomas McGregor.

Television roles

• He starred in the critically acclaimed Black Mirror episode “Be Right Back” (2013), playing a man whose consciousness is uploaded into an AI.
• He also appeared in the BBC series The Last Kingdom (short cameo) and has worked on Irish television productions.

Black Mirror appearance

• In “Be Right Back,” Gleeson plays Ash, a man who dies and is recreated as a synthetic version by his grieving partner. The episode earned him widespread praise.

For a more detailed look at his transition from wizard to general, you can explore Domhnall Gleesons career biography.

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