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The List: Top 10 Irish movie stars (2014 edition)
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2013 – As you can see in the image above, dating from March 17 2009, the Chicago River runs green on or around every St. Patrick’s Day. It’s Chicago’s way of celebrating the fabled Irish holy man who not only was responsible for bringing Catholicism to Ireland but for summarily dismissing all the Emerald Isle’s snakes as well. Or so the legend says.
There are a lot less Irish denizens in the Windy City today than there were in those thrilling days of yesteryear. But Chicago’s colorful green river tradition still goes on, no doubt irritating green-freak eco-fanatics who likely don’t regard the river’s temporary emerald hue as very environmentally friendly.
On the other hand, the secret dye-mixture the city employs for this famous special effect has become more “sensitive” in recent years, particularly after EPA Storm Troopers raised a stink about it. Today, even “the environmental organization Friends of the Chicago River believes the dye is probably not harmful, [so] they do not oppose the practice,” according to the latest entry in Wikipedia.
But wait a minute. We’re not here today to talk about green rivers, green beer, or drunken Saint Paddy’s day revels. We’re here to present our latest Top Ten List of famous Irish thespians.
Irish men and women—either native born or of Hibernian descent—have come to international prominence in recent history not only in theater but in the movies as well. Given the considerable wit and skill of the Irish when expressing themselves in poetry, song, drama, and storytelling, the phenomenon is scarcely surprising.
All of which gets us at last to our 2014 list of those individuals we currently regard as the most notable movie actors and actresses who hail more or less from the Emerald Isle.
Obviously, our list is subjective. You’re free to agree or disagree with our choices and our rankings. If you have a suggestion for next year’s list, why don’t you add a comment below and we’ll look into it for 2015.
Meanwhile, a hearty “Slainté” to you all.
WASHINGTON, March 16, 2013 – As you can see in the image above, dating from March 17 2009, the Chicago River runs green on or around every St. Patrick’s Day. It’s Chicago’s way of celebrating the fabled Irish holy man who not only was responsible for bringing Catholicism to Ireland but for summarily dismissing all the Emerald Isle’s snakes as well. Or so the legend says.
There are a lot less Irish denizens in the Windy City today than there were in those thrilling days of yesteryear. But Chicago’s colorful green river tradition still goes on, no doubt irritating green-freak eco-fanatics who likely don’t regard the river’s temporary emerald hue as very environmentally friendly.
On the other hand, the secret dye-mixture the city employs for this famous special effect has become more “sensitive” in recent years, particularly after EPA Storm Troopers raised a stink about it. Today, even “the environmental organization Friends of the Chicago River believes the dye is probably not harmful, [so] they do not oppose the practice,” according to the latest entry in Wikipedia.
But wait a minute. We’re not here today to talk about green rivers, green beer, or drunken Saint Paddy’s day revels. We’re here to present our latest Top Ten List of famous Irish thespians.
Irish men and women—either native born or of Hibernian descent—have come to international prominence in recent history not only in theater but in the movies as well. Given the considerable wit and skill of the Irish when expressing themselves in poetry, song, drama, and storytelling, the phenomenon is scarcely surprising.
All of which gets us at last to our 2014 list of those individuals we currently regard as the most notable movie actors and actresses who hail more or less from the Emerald Isle.
Obviously, our list is subjective. You’re free to agree or disagree with our choices and our rankings. If you have a suggestion for next year’s list, why don’t you add a comment below and we’ll look into it for 2015.
Meanwhile, a hearty “Slainté” to you all.
第九名：9. Barry Fitzgerald. (1888-1961). Born William Joseph Shield in Dublin, Mr. Fitzgerald started out in life as a civil servant. But, bitten by the acting bug, he soon began to appear onstage in Dublin’s famous Abbey Theatre (which we’ve had the pleasure of visiting many times). During this early period of his career, he spent some time as the roommate of famed Irish playwright Sean O’Casey, and soon began to make appearances in his roomie’s now famous classic plays like “Juno and the Paycock.”
Barry Fitzgerald. (Wikipedia)
Eventually taking up residence in Hollywood, he was much in demand for character parts, becoming the go-to actor to portray witty, humorous, or simply very Irish roles in a slew of popular movies. Perhaps his most memorable screen excursions were his portrayal of the genial Irish priest who mentors Bing Crosby’s younger cleric in “Going My Way” (1944) and his humorous, supporting role in the John Wayne-Maureen O’Hara Irish-based classic “The Quiet Man” (1952).
Barry Fitzgerald. (Wikipedia)
Eventually taking up residence in Hollywood, he was much in demand for character parts, becoming the go-to actor to portray witty, humorous, or simply very Irish roles in a slew of popular movies. Perhaps his most memorable screen excursions were his portrayal of the genial Irish priest who mentors Bing Crosby’s younger cleric in “Going My Way” (1944) and his humorous, supporting role in the John Wayne-Maureen O’Hara Irish-based classic “The Quiet Man” (1952).
第八名是叔。。。
8. Aidan Quinn. (b. 1959). Born to Irish émigré parents in Chicago, Mr. Quinn has appeared in numerous big budget films including “Desperately Seeking Susan,” “Benny and Joon,” “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” and “Michael Collins” where he co-starred with Liam Neeson. His roles tend to be significant but low key. Our personal favorite is his role as Brad Pitt’s conflicted older brother in the vastly underrated “Legends of the Fall” (1994).
His career seemed to fade somewhat after that 1994 film. But now you can see him on TV every week as a the beleaguered New York police chief who frequently ends up enlisting the aid of a manic, updated Sherlock Holmes in the hit show “Elementary.” He currently co-stars with Jonny Lee Miller (Sherlock) and luscious Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson, the first-ever female incarnation of that role.
Aidan Quinn, 2009. (Wikipedia)
8. Aidan Quinn. (b. 1959). Born to Irish émigré parents in Chicago, Mr. Quinn has appeared in numerous big budget films including “Desperately Seeking Susan,” “Benny and Joon,” “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein,” and “Michael Collins” where he co-starred with Liam Neeson. His roles tend to be significant but low key. Our personal favorite is his role as Brad Pitt’s conflicted older brother in the vastly underrated “Legends of the Fall” (1994).
His career seemed to fade somewhat after that 1994 film. But now you can see him on TV every week as a the beleaguered New York police chief who frequently ends up enlisting the aid of a manic, updated Sherlock Holmes in the hit show “Elementary.” He currently co-stars with Jonny Lee Miller (Sherlock) and luscious Lucy Liu as Dr. Joan Watson, the first-ever female incarnation of that role.
Aidan Quinn, 2009. (Wikipedia)
第六名：6. Maureen O’Hara. (b. 1920). Hailing from the environs of Dublin, this stunning, popular redheaded actress was originally known as Maureen FitzSimons before adopting her famous stage name. Trained in theater in Dublin, her skills and her looks attracted the attention of numerous English actors and filmmakers including Charles Laughton. He helped her land the role of the gypsy girl Esmeralda in his own classic starring vehicle, “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” (1939). The film was a popular and critical success and her career was launched in earnest.
She continued to appear in classic films such as “The Black Swan” (1942); “Sentimental Journey” (1946); “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947); the popular John Wayne classic “The Quiet Man” (1952); and many others. She effectively retired in the early 1970s, but returned to acting in 1991 to star with the late comedian John Candy in “Only the Lonely.” She became an American citizen in 1946, but has returned to Ireland where she currently resides in County Cork on Ireland’s southwest coast.
PR poster, Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara in “The Black Swan.” (Wikipedia)
She continued to appear in classic films such as “The Black Swan” (1942); “Sentimental Journey” (1946); “Miracle on 34th Street” (1947); the popular John Wayne classic “The Quiet Man” (1952); and many others. She effectively retired in the early 1970s, but returned to acting in 1991 to star with the late comedian John Candy in “Only the Lonely.” She became an American citizen in 1946, but has returned to Ireland where she currently resides in County Cork on Ireland’s southwest coast.
PR poster, Tyrone Power and Maureen O’Hara in “The Black Swan.” (Wikipedia)
第四名：4. Richard Harris. (1930-2002). Hailing from the gritty Western Irish city of Limerick, Mr. Harris is famed for his numerous and often offbeat film appearances. As a young man, he was an up-and-coming rugby star but was forced to abandon that pursuit after enduring a bout of tuberculosis. Relocating to England after WWII, he dabbled in directing plays while studying to become an actor, living for many years in poverty as he studied and perfected his craft.
He spent time onstage in England and appeared in small Hollywood film roles in the late 1950s and early 1960s. But reportedly, he didn’t much like his Tinseltown experiences. Worse, he would quarrel with well-known stars like Marlon Brando and Charleton Heston, behavior not likely to boost his career.
But he gradually reconciled himself with movie acting, appearing as King Arthur in the film version of the Broadway musical “Camelot” (1967); as a British adventurer in “A Man Called Horse” (1970); the uniquely quirky role of English Bob in the Clint Eastwood classic, “Unforgiven” (1992); and the small but significant role of the dying philosopher/emperor Marcus Aurelius in “Gladiator” (2000).
But perhaps his crowning achievement was a surprise that occurred at the end of his career when he was cast as the crafty old wizard and headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two installments of the lucrative “Harry Potter” film franchise. He died of cancer just prior to the opening of the second Potter film.
Statue of a sporting young Richard Harris in Kilkee, Ireland. (Wikipedia)
He spent time onstage in England and appeared in small Hollywood film roles in the late 1950s and early 1960s. But reportedly, he didn’t much like his Tinseltown experiences. Worse, he would quarrel with well-known stars like Marlon Brando and Charleton Heston, behavior not likely to boost his career.
But he gradually reconciled himself with movie acting, appearing as King Arthur in the film version of the Broadway musical “Camelot” (1967); as a British adventurer in “A Man Called Horse” (1970); the uniquely quirky role of English Bob in the Clint Eastwood classic, “Unforgiven” (1992); and the small but significant role of the dying philosopher/emperor Marcus Aurelius in “Gladiator” (2000).
But perhaps his crowning achievement was a surprise that occurred at the end of his career when he was cast as the crafty old wizard and headmaster Albus Dumbledore in the first two installments of the lucrative “Harry Potter” film franchise. He died of cancer just prior to the opening of the second Potter film.
Statue of a sporting young Richard Harris in Kilkee, Ireland. (Wikipedia)
第三名：3. Kenneth Branagh. (b. 1961). Born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Mr. Branagh is as well-known as an actor as he is a director. His initial claim to fame was due to the Bard of Avon, as he became prominent for his directorial and starring roles in film versions of Shakespeare’s classic plays, which garnered Academy Award nominations.
More recently, he served as director for the Marvel Comics-based superhero hit, “Thor” (2011). He’s also become well-known as a TV actor for his brilliant portrayal of the existential Swedish detective Kurt Wallander in the English-language “Wallander” television series, which is built on adaptations of author Henning Mankell’s best-selling “Wallander” crime novels. Mr. Branagh also serves as executive producer of this gritty series.
Kenneth Branagh in 2009. (Wikipedia)
More recently, he served as director for the Marvel Comics-based superhero hit, “Thor” (2011). He’s also become well-known as a TV actor for his brilliant portrayal of the existential Swedish detective Kurt Wallander in the English-language “Wallander” television series, which is built on adaptations of author Henning Mankell’s best-selling “Wallander” crime novels. Mr. Branagh also serves as executive producer of this gritty series.
Kenneth Branagh in 2009. (Wikipedia)
