Colm Meaney | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Meaney at the2016 Toronto International Film Festival | |
| Born | (1953-05-30)30 May 1953 (age 71) Dublin, Ireland |
| Education | Abbey Theatre School |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1978–present |
| Spouses | |
| Children | Brenda Meaney |
| Awards | Full list |
Colm J. Meaney (/ˈkɒləm/;[1]Irish:Colm Ó Maonaigh; born 30 May 1953) is an Irish actor. Known for his performances across screen and stage, he has received sevenIrish Film & Television Academy Award nominations, winning twice for 2001’sHow Harry Became a Tree, and 2017’sThe Journey. Other film credits includeRoddy Doyle'sBarrytown franchise,Con Air,Layer Cake,The Damned United,Get Him to the Greek, andThe Snapper, for which he was nominated for theGolden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical,[2] and won theSilver Hugo Award for Best Actor at the 1993Chicago International Film Festival.[3]
On television, Meaney is best known for his portrayal ofMiles O'Brien in bothStar Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) andStar Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999), appearing in a total of 225 episodes. Other television credits include five seasons asThomas C. Durant on theAMCwesternHell on Wheels (2011–2016),James Burbage on theTNThistorical fiction seriesWill (2017), and Finn Wallace on theSky Atlantic crime seriesGangs of London (2020). Meaney’s numerous guest appearances include roles onMoonlighting,MacGyver,Murdoch Mysteries,Law & Order,The Simpsons, andIt's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.[4]
Also a veteran of the theatre, Meaney has starred onBroadway and theWest End inEugene O'Neill'sThe Iceman Cometh andA Moon for the Misbegotten,Tennessee Williams'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, andHugh Whitemore'sBreaking the Code.[5] Additionally, he has appeared in numerous productions with theNational Theatre of Ireland, includingSean O'Casey'sJuno and the Paycock,The Silver Tassie, andThe Shadow of a Gunman.[6]
In 2020, Meaney was ranked 24th onThe Irish Times list of "The 50 Greatest Irish Film Actors of All Time."[7] In 2025 he received theIrish Film & Television Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award.[8]
Meaney was born inGlasnevin,Dublin, the son of Kathleen and Patrick Meaney, who was a van driver for Johnston, Mooney & O'Brien.[9] His brothers are Liam, Padraig, and Sean Meaney.[10] He developed a love of acting at the age 14, and after completing his leaving cert matriculated to theAbbey Theatre School. Upon completing his studies, Meaney joined the company of theNational Theatre of Ireland.[11]
In 1971 Meaney joined the company of theNational Theatre of Ireland, appearing in 24 productions over the next nine years. Credits from this period includeWilliam Shakespeare'sThe Winter's Tale,W. B. Yeats'King Oedipus,George Bernard Shaw'sSaint Joan,Dion Boucicault'sArrah-na-Pogue, andSean O'Casey'sJuno and the Paycock.[6] For much of this period, Meaney split his time betweenDublin andLondon, touring the UK with several theatre companies, including the7:84 theatre group founded byJohn McGrath.[12] Meaney made hisOff-West End debut in 1975, appearing in McGrath's playsFish in the Sea at theHalf Moon Theatre[13] andYobbo Nowt at theShaw Theatre. The following year he appeared in a stage adaptation ofLin Piao'sHistory of the Tenth Struggle at theInstitute of Contemporary Arts. Meaney made his American stage debut in 1982 at theGreat Lakes Shakespeare Festival, where he would remain a summer company member until 1985. Credits from this period includeWilliam Shakespeare'sHenry V,J. M. Synge'sThe Playboy of the Western World,Dylan Thomas'A Child's Christmas in Wales,C. P. Taylor’sAnd a Nightingale Sang, and the American premiere ofThe Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby.[14] The play is an 8½ hour-long stage adaptation of theCharles Dickens’novel of the same name, performed in two parts. The production was a critical and commercial success, later transferring toMerle Reskin Theatre inChicago, Illinois.
Meaney made his Off-Broadway debut in 1984, appearing as Kevin inHugh Leonard'sThe Poker Sessions atTheater Off Park.[15] In 1986 he relocated fromNew York City toLos Angeles. That same year he starred inSławomir Mrożek'sAlpha,[16]Harold Pinter'sThe Birthday Party,[17] andPeter Sheridan'sDiary of a Hunger Strike,[18] all at theLos Angeles Theatre Center. Meaney's performance in the later earned him aDrama-Logue Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play. In 1987 Meaney appeared as Mick Ross in the American premiere ofHugh Whitemore'sBreaking the Code at theKennedy Center inWashington, D.C.[19] Later that same year the production transferred to theNeil Simon Theatre onBroadway. From 1992 to 1993 Meaney appeared in a multi-city tour ofTom Stoppard'sEvery Good Boy Deserves Favour, directed by hisStar Trek co-starPatrick Stewart. Tour venues included Orange County Symphony inGarden Grove, CA;The Chicago Theatre inChicago, Illinois, and The Fox Theatre inMinneapolis, Minnesota. In 1999 Meaney starred inPeter Parnell's stage adaptation ofJohn Irving'sThe Cider House Rules at theAtlantic Theater Company. Meaney won anObie Award for his performance.
Meaney made hisWest End debut as Phil Hogan in the 2006 revival ofEugene O'Neill'sA Moon for the Misbegotten atThe Old Vic. Directed byHoward Davies, the cast also featuredKevin Spacey andEve Best. For his performance, Meaney was nominated for theOlivier Award forBest Performance in a Supporting Role. The following year the production transferred to theBrooks Atkinson Theatre onBroadway. Meaney would later return to Broadway in the 2018 revival ofEugene O'Neill'sThe Iceman Cometh at Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre. Directed byGeorge C. Wolfe, the cast featuredDenzel Washington,Bill Irwin,David Morse,Tammy Blanchard, andAustin Butler. In 2023, after more than a 40 year absence, Meaney returned to the Irish stage inLandmark Productions revival of theEnda Walsh playBedbound at theGalway International Arts Festival. Starring opposite his daughterBrenda Meaney, the production later transferred to an additional engagement at theOlympia Theatre, Dublin.[20]
Meaney's first television appearance was inZ-Cars onBBC One, in 1978. He guest-starred on shows such asRemington Steele andMoonlighting before embarking on a successful film career; he received aGolden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his role inThe Snapper.[21]
Meaney first appeared onStar Trek: The Next Generation in its 1987 pilot episode, "Encounter at Farpoint", as an unnamed helm officer. His character became a frequently recurring one, and was given the name ofMiles O'Brien as he became more prominent in the crew as Transporter Chief. In 1993, Meaney leftThe Next Generation for a main role in its spin-offStar Trek: Deep Space Nine and remained on that show until its final episode, in 1999. With 225 total appearances onStar Trek, he is second toMichael Dorn with the most appearances on the franchise.[22]
Meaney played Colum O'Hara in the 1994 miniseriesScarlett, the sequel toGone With the Wind. He has played a minor recurring role as Cowen,[23] leader of theGenii on the seriesStargate Atlantis,[24] guest-starred onLaw & Order,Law & Order: Criminal Intent and appeared as Bob O'Donnell on the ABC showMen in Trees. Meaney appeared in the filmDie Hard 2, playing the pilot of the plane Windsor 114 that was later crashed by Colonel Stuart.[25]
He was the only actor to appear in all three film adaptations ofRoddy Doyle'sThe Barrytown Trilogy, as the father of the Rabbitte family. His stage appearances include the Old Vic production ofEugene O'Neill'sA Moon for the Misbegotten. Meaney starred in the British comedy filmThree and Out (released in the UK on 25 April 2008). In July of the same yearAn Post (the Irish Post Office[26]) issued a postage stamp showing Meaney as Joe Mullen in the filmKings.[27]
In 2009, Meaney co-starred withGerard Butler andJamie Foxx inLaw Abiding Citizen, playing Detective Dunnigan. In March 2009, Meaney voiced an Irish bartender on the St. Patrick's Day episode ofThe Simpsons, "In the Name of the Grandfather". In the same month the filmThe Damned United was released, a mostly fictional retelling of the 44-day period in whichBrian Clough was manager ofLeeds United F.C. Meaney played former Leeds managerDon Revie. He co-starred inSoldiers of Fortune. In 2013, Meaney co-starred inAlan Partridge: Alpha Papa. In 2014, he appeared as The Horse in the BBC's three-part crime storyThe Driver. For five seasons he portrayed railroad magnateThomas C. Durant onAMC's drama seriesHell on Wheels.[28]
From 1977 to 1994, Meaney was married to fellow actorBairbre Dowling, with whom he frequently appeared opposite on stage and screen.[29][30] Together they had one daughter, actressBrenda Meaney, born in 1984.[31]
Meaney married French costume designer Ines Glorian in March of 2007. Their daughter Ada was born in 2005. The family lives in theMajorcan town ofSóller, with homes inLos Angeles, California, andDublin, Ireland.[32]
Meaney is a supporter ofSinn Féin.[21]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Nailed | Younger Protestant | |
| 1987 | Omega Syndrome | Sean | |
| The Dead | Mr. Bergin | ||
| 1990 | Die Hard 2 | Pilot | |
| Dick Tracy | Cop at Tess's | ||
| Come See the Paradise | Gerry McGurn | ||
| 1991 | The Commitments | Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr. | |
| 1992 | Under Siege | Daumer | |
| The Last of the Mohicans | Maj. Ambrose | ||
| Far and Away | Kelly | ||
| Into the West | Barreller | ||
| 1993 | The Snapper | Dessie Curley | Nominated –Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy |
| 1994 | War of the Buttons | Jerome/Geronimo's father | |
| The Road to Wellville | Dr. Lionel Badger | ||
| 1995 | The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain | Morgan the Goat | |
| 1996 | The Van | Larry | |
| The Last of the High Kings | Jim Davern | ||
| 1997 | Con Air | Agent Duncan Malloy | |
| Owd Bob | Keith Moore | ||
| 1998 | This Is My Father | Seamus, owner of the Bed and Breakfast | |
| Monument Ave. | Jackie O'Hara | a.k.a.Snitch | |
| October 22 | Steve | ||
| Claire Dolan | Roland Cain | ||
| 1999 | Mystery, Alaska | Mayor Scott Pitcher | |
| Chapter Zero | Frank Lazarus | ||
| Four Days | Fury | ||
| Most Important | Dan O'Neill | ||
| The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns | Seamus Muldoon | ||
| 2001 | Backflash | Gin O'Malley | Video |
| How Harry Became a Tree | Harry | Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor | |
| 2003 | The Boys from County Clare | Jimmy | |
| Intermission | Jerry Lynch | ||
| 2004 | Blueberry | Jimmy McClure | |
| Layer Cake | Gene | ||
| Battle of the Brave | Benjamin Franklin | ||
| 2005 | Turning Green | Tom | |
| 2006 | Five Fingers | Gavin | |
| A Lobster Tale | Cody | ||
| 2007 | Kings | Joe Mullan | Nominated –Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor |
| The Metrosexual | The Mayor | Great Lakes Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor | |
| 2008 | Clean Break | Trevor Jones | |
| Three and Out | Tommy | ||
| 2009 | The Damned United | Don Revie | |
| The Race | Frank Kensay | ||
| Law Abiding Citizen | Detective Dunnigan | ||
| 2010 | Get Him to the Greek | Jonathan Snow | |
| Alleged | H. L. Mencken | ||
| Parked | Fred Daly | ||
| The Conspirator | Gen. David Hunter | ||
| 2011 | El Perfecto Desconocido | Mark O'Reilly | |
| 2012 | Whole Lotta Sole | Detective Weller | Known asStand Off in North America |
| Bel Ami | Monsieur Rousset | ||
| Soldiers of Fortune | Carter Mason | ||
| The Hot Potato | Harry | ||
| The Cold Light of Day | CIA Agent | ||
| 2013 | Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa | Pat Farrell | |
| One Chance | Roland Potts | ||
| A Belfast Story | Detective | ||
| Free Birds | Myles Standish | Voice | |
| 2014 | The Devil's Hand | Elder Beacon | |
| 2016 | Norm of the North | Grandfather | Voice |
| Pelé: Birth of a Legend | George Raynor | ||
| The Journey | Martin McGuinness | ||
| The Secrets of Emily Blair | Father Avital | ||
| 2017 | Halal Daddy | Martin Logan | |
| 2019 | Tolkien | Father Francis | |
| Seberg | Frank Ellroy | ||
| The Last Right | Detective Donall Crowley | ||
| 2020 | The Banker | Patrick Barker | |
| Pixie | Dermot O’Brien | ||
| 2021 | The Monkey[33][34] | MacDonell | Voice |
| There's Always Hope[35] | Jonathan Stack | ||
| 2022 | Confession | Father Peter | |
| Save the Cinema | Martyn | ||
| Marlowe | Bernie Ohls | ||
| Unwelcome | "Daddy" Whelan | ||
| Three Day Millionaire | Mr. Barr | ||
| 2023 | In the Land of Saints and Sinners | Robert McQue | |
| The Problem with People | Ciáran | ||
| 2024 | No Way Up | Brandon | |
| The Ballad of Davy Crockett | Caleb | ||
| Duchess | Frank Monaghan | ||
| Bring Them Down | Ray | ||
| TBA | The Panic | J.P. Morgan | Post-production |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Z-Cars | McGlin | Episode: "Pressure" |
| 1981 | Les roses de Dublin | Michael Kavanaugh | Miniseries |
| 1982 | Play for Tomorrow | Kevin Murphy | Episode: "Easter 2016" |
| Strangers | Smollett | Episode: "Charlie's Brother's Birthday (Part 1) | |
| 1983 | Playboy of the Western World | Shawn | Television film |
| 1984 | The Hidden Curriculum | David Dunn | Television film |
| 1986 | Moonlighting | Katharina Suitor | Episode: "Atomic Shakespeare" |
| 1987 | Remington Steele | Man in Tavern | Episode: "Steele Hanging in There: Part 2" |
| Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues | Tinkerer | Television film | |
| Tales from the Darkside | Constable | Episode: "Beetles" | |
| 1987–1988 | One Life to Live | Alf | Unknown episodes |
| 1987–1992, 1994 | Star Trek: The Next Generation | Chief Miles O'Brien | 52 episodes |
| 1989 | Perfect Witness | Meagher | Television film |
| 1990 | Equal Justice | Nucchi | Episode: "The Art of the Possible" |
| Father Dowling Mysteries | Ernie | Episode: "The Undercover Nun Mystery" | |
| 1991 | The New Adam-12 | Father | Episode: "Panic in Alverez Park" |
| MacGyver | Dr. Irwin Malcolm | Episode: "Good Knight MacGyver: Part 1" | |
| 1993 | Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman | Jake Slicker | Episode: "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" |
| Brooklyn Bridge | Mr. Kramer | Episode: "Good as Gold" | |
| 1993–1999 | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine | Chief Miles O'Brien | 173 episodes |
| 1994 | Scarlett | Father Colum O'Hara | 2 episodes |
| 1996 | Gargoyles | Mr. Dugan (voice) | Episode: "The Hound of Ulster" |
| 1998 | Money Kings | Al Sheehan | Television film; a.k.a.Vig |
| 1999 | The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns | Seamus Muldoon | Television film |
| 2002 | Random Passage | Thomas Hutchings | Miniseries Nominated –Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series |
| King of Texas | Mr. Tumlinson | Television film | |
| 2004 | The Murdoch Mysteries | Inspector Brackenreid | 2 episodes |
| Bad Apple | Gibbons | Television film | |
| 2004–2006 | Stargate Atlantis | Chief Cowen | 3 episodes |
| 2005 | Law & Order: Criminal Intent | Judge Harold Garrett | Episode: "In the Wee Small Hours" |
| 2006 | The Unit | Charge D'Affaires | Episode: "Security" |
| Caved In: Prehistoric Terror | Vincent | Television film | |
| Covert One: The Hades Factor | Peter Howell | Television film | |
| 2007 | Men in Trees | Bob O'Donnell | 2 episodes |
| 2008 | Law & Order | Wyatt Landon | Episode: "Lost Boys" |
| 2009 | The Simpsons | Tom O'Flanagan (voice) | Episode: "In the Name of the Grandfather" |
| Alice | King of Hearts | Miniseries | |
| ZOS: Zone of Separation | George Titac | Miniseries | |
| Mercy | Dr. Parks | Episode: "I Believe You Conrad" | |
| 2011–2016 | Hell on Wheels | Thomas "Doc" Durant | 51 episodes Nominated –Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television (2013) Nominated –Irish Film & Television Award for Best Actor TV (2013) |
| 2014 | The Driver | The Horse | 3 episodes |
| 2015 | Childhood's End[36] | Wainwright | Episode: "The Overlords" |
| 2017 | Will | James Burbage | 10 episodes |
| 2020 | Gangs of London | Finn Wallace | 5 episodes |
| The Singapore Grip | Brendan Archer | 6 episodes | |
| 2021 | It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia | Shelley Kelly | 2 episodes |
| 2022 | The Serpent Queen | King Francis I | 4 episodes |
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