Highly Esteemed Irish Actor - Stephen Rea

Stephen Rea, born on October 31, 1946, is a highly esteemed Irish actor known for his remarkable work on both stage and screen. His career is characterized by collaborations with director Neil Jordan and contributions to various mediums, earning him nominations for prestigious awards and recognition as one of the greatest Irish film actors. Here's a comprehensive overview of Stephen Rea's life and career:

Early Life:

• Birth and Background:
  • Born on October 31, 1946, in Belfast, Northern Ireland.
  • Comes from a Protestant family background with sympathies towards Irish nationalism.
  • Father worked as a bus driver, and his mother was a housewife.
• Education and Acting Training:
  • Studied English at Queen's University Belfast.
  • Honed acting skills at the Abbey Theatre School in Dublin.
• Focus Company in Dublin:
  • In the late 1970s, Rea was part of the Focus Company in Dublin.
  • Collaborated with actors such as Gabriel Byrne and Colm Meaney during this period.

Career Highlights:

• Collaboration with Neil Jordan:
  • Notably collaborated with Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan, gaining international recognition.
  • "The Crying Game" (1992):Earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role.
  • Other Films Directed by Jordan:"Interview with the Vampire" (1994), "Michael Collins" (1996), "The End of the Affair" (1999), "Breakfast on Pluto" (2005), and "Greta" (2018).
• Television Success:
  • Starred in Hugo Blick's series "The Shadow Line" and "The Honourable Woman."
  • Won a BAFTA for his role in "The Honourable Woman."

• Stage Career:
  • Celebrated for performances at The Gate and Abbey Theatres in Dublin and the Royal Court Theatre in London.
  • Co-founded the Field Day Theatre Company alongside Brian Friel.
• Recognition:
  • Received honorary degrees from Queen's University Belfast and Ulster University in 2004.
  • The Irish Times recognized him as the 13th greatest Irish film actor of all time in 2020.
• Recent Work:
  • In 2023, appeared in the film "The Miracle Club," portraying the character Frank alongside Kathy Bates.

Personal Life:

• Marriage and Family:
  • Married to Dolours Price from 1983 to 2003.
  • Price was a former Provisional Irish Republican Army bomber and hunger striker.
  • They have two sons together.
• Performance and Historical Context:
  • Price attended one of Rea's performances at the Court Theatre in London in 1973, the night before she participated in a car bombing that injured 200 people.
• Residence:
  • As of 2020, Rea resides in County Donegal.

Notable Achievements:

• Awards:
  • Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for "The Crying Game" (1992).
  • Two-time BAFTA Award winner.
  • Three-time Irish Film and Television (IFTA) Award winner.
• Recognition:
  • Acknowledged by The Irish Times as the 13th greatest Irish film actor of all time in 2020.

Stephen Rea's career is a testament to his talent, versatility, and significant contributions to the world of acting, spanning stage, screen, and television. His collaborations with Neil Jordan and involvement in the Field Day Theatre Company have left an enduring impact on Irish and international cinema.

References;

1.  "Stephen Rea". Tribute.ca.
2. "Stephenrea.net - Intro". www.stephenrea.net. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
3. "The 50 greatest Irish film actors of all time – in order". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 November 2023.
4. Auld, Tim (25 March 2016). "Stephen Rea: 'I never wanted to be a polite actor'". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 2 August 2016. Retrieved 22 August 2016.
5. "Stephen Rea: 'I can't imagine teams of loyalists rolling up to watch it'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
6. "Queen's prepares for graduation week". Queen's University Belfast. June 2004. Archived from the original on 15 August 2004. Retrieved 11 June 2011.
7. "Honour for Stephen Rea". Ulster University. 15 December 2004.