Northern Irish Actors in Hollywood
Some film stars are actors and stars second, and some reverse their priorities. Ulster born greats are no exception. They tend to show a dedication to success, and to acting as a means of achieving it. In the theatre and films, our Northern film stars and character actors held [and continue to hold] their own against acting heavyweights as you will note in my documentary film.
Every Irish, English and American dramatic and film critic of importance over the years have paid tribute to their ability and their artistry. Our actors mastered the most difficult art of their chosen profession. They had the ability to assume, not only the appearance, manners and speech, but the idosyncrasies of the characters they were called upon to portray.
They have frequently, made small parts into big parts by their consummate artistry, and had, on occasion, received more praise from the critics for their work in small parts, than that given to the players of leading roles. By the way we had one of the finest film and drama critics ,in Portadown born .Alexander Walker who penned a weekly article in the London Evening Standard as well as being a distinguished author of a number of film biographies.
J.G.Devlin was once asked back in the early 70’s, why has the Ulster actor suddenly become accepted on the world stage?
The modern Northern Irish greats of the film world of course, are missing. Household names like Kennerth Branagh, Liam Neeson, Stephen Rea, Sam Neill [Yes, our New Zealand actor was actually born in Omagh, Co.Tyrone ], James Nesbitt, Ciaran Hynds and let’s not forget Van Morrison, Belfast born superstar’s music has been featured in nearly 50 films.
The following film stars with a Northern Connection are included in this film.
BURT LANCASTER (1913 – 1994 j,
EILEEN PERCY…….. [1900- 1973]
THELMA TODD ..[ 1906 - 1935 ,
WilLFORD KANE... [1881 - 1956]
UNA O’CONNOR..! 1880 – 1958 ],
BENJAMIN GLAZIER .[1887-1954]
MAXWELL Reid…[919 - 1974],
BRIAN DUNLEAVY…[1901 -1972]
BEATRICE CAMPBELL[1922-1979],
VALERIE HOBSON [1917- 1998]
CHARLES IRWIN…[1888 - 1969],
PATRICK MAGEE [1922- 1982]
NOEL WILMORE . [1918 -1988 ],
MADELINE CAROL.[1906 - 1987]
GREER GARSON .[1908 - 1996],
ERROL FLYNN…… [1909 -1959 ]
ROBERT SHAW…[1927 -1978],
ALBERT SHARP… [1885-1970]
JAMES G.DEVLIN [1907 -1991],
SAMKYDD…………… [1915-1982]
STEPHEN BOYD……. [1932-1977],
COLIN BLAKELY .[1930 -1987]
JOE TOMELTY…….. [1911 - 1995]
CHARLOTTE McILDOWIE / MOYNE MAGILL[1895 -1975]
ANGELA LANSBURY..[1925- ],
SIOBHAN McKENNA. [1923 - 1986]
GENE KELLY …….. [1912 -1986],
JAMES STEWART..[1908 -1997]
RICHARD TODD [ 1919 - - ],
JOHN WAYNE………… 1907 – 1979]
J.J.Tohill
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