Domhnall Gleeson

Birthday: 12 May 1983, Dublin, Ireland

Height: 185 cm

Domhnall Gleeson was born on May 12, 1983 in Dublin, Ireland. He is an actor and writer, known for Ex Machina (2014), The Revenant (2015) and About Time (2013).

Going home, spending time with the family, I feel they're my friends as well, all of them. I look fo Show more Going home, spending time with the family, I feel they're my friends as well, all of them. I look forward to meeting any one of them for a coffee, and when we all get together, I just love it. Hide

Angelina Jolie is just an extremely talented, generous, nice person to be around and to work with. Angelina Jolie is just an extremely talented, generous, nice person to be around and to work with.

Most of the time, I do what I'm offered, but after I worked for it. I think I try much harder for th Show more Most of the time, I do what I'm offered, but after I worked for it. I think I try much harder for the things that scare me and inspire me. The things that scare and inspire you are things that are different from what you did before. Hide

The Olympia was a really special place for me as a kid. I saw Dad perform there so many times, so it Show more The Olympia was a really special place for me as a kid. I saw Dad perform there so many times, so it means a lot. Hide

I get asked to give stuff to my dad. I'm, like, 'I'm not gonna pass your script to him!' You know? M Show more I get asked to give stuff to my dad. I'm, like, 'I'm not gonna pass your script to him!' You know? My dad's my dad. I'm not his agent. Hide

I'm a pessimist by nature, so it's always the worst things that come to mind first whenever you make Show more I'm a pessimist by nature, so it's always the worst things that come to mind first whenever you make a decision or have a decision to make. Hide

I stand to learn more working as an actor with really talented people than I do by directing a featu Show more I stand to learn more working as an actor with really talented people than I do by directing a feature. Hide

Life is difficult for everyone; everyone has bad days. Everyone has trouble in their life, because i Show more Life is difficult for everyone; everyone has bad days. Everyone has trouble in their life, because it doesn't matter how rich you are: Sickness and trouble and worry and love, these things will mess with you at every level of life. Hide

It's hard to get people up and out to shows, but 'The Walworth Farce' has masses of energy and will Show more It's hard to get people up and out to shows, but 'The Walworth Farce' has masses of energy and will attract a crowd who don't always come to the theatre, which is great. Hide

I'm certainly a young actor. I'm certainly those two things. Actually, I'm not even young anymore; I Show more I'm certainly a young actor. I'm certainly those two things. Actually, I'm not even young anymore; I'm 29. So, I'm an actor. Hide

The rom-com genre is not something that necessarily lights my jets. The rom-com genre is not something that necessarily lights my jets.

I do feel a wave come over me when I hear those two words, 'Star' and 'Wars,' said together. I feel Show more I do feel a wave come over me when I hear those two words, 'Star' and 'Wars,' said together. I feel tense, shut up, and stare into the middle distance. Hide

I'd been very certain about not wanting to do the acting thing because of my father. I thought I'd a Show more I'd been very certain about not wanting to do the acting thing because of my father. I thought I'd always have the father-son thing of 'He got you the part.' Hide

I find looking forward scary because you might die. I find looking forward scary because you might die.

When I was younger, my father told me not to pigeonhole the way that I perceive myself. When I was younger, my father told me not to pigeonhole the way that I perceive myself.

There is something wonderful about turning up every day and knowing that not just the character but Show more There is something wonderful about turning up every day and knowing that not just the character but the whole movie kind of rests on your shoulders. And there's great satisfaction when you think it's going well and then real terror when you think it's not. Hide

I'm not built like a leading man. I'm not built like a leading man.

Though rom-coms aren't necessarily my cup of tea, I was a huge fan of Notting Hill (1999). I laughed Show more Though rom-coms aren't necessarily my cup of tea, I was a huge fan of Notting Hill (1999). I laughed a lot, and the romance got to me. Hide

As an actor, there's very little you can do if people don't want to see you. Just getting yourself i Show more As an actor, there's very little you can do if people don't want to see you. Just getting yourself into the room to audition is tough. Hide

I've gotten work based on how I look, and I've not gotten work based on how I look. It's all good. I've gotten work based on how I look, and I've not gotten work based on how I look. It's all good.

I got to work with Cillian Murphy and my dad, Jim Broadbent and Jodie Whittaker on Perrier's Bounty Show more I got to work with Cillian Murphy and my dad, Jim Broadbent and Jodie Whittaker on Perrier's Bounty (2009) It was a small part, but it was really special. Hide

When you work with actors, what you're hoping to absorb is good ways to be an actor as opposed to ho Show more When you work with actors, what you're hoping to absorb is good ways to be an actor as opposed to how to handle being famous. Hide

My father is just getting better and better, and that speaks so well of the way he approaches the wo Show more My father is just getting better and better, and that speaks so well of the way he approaches the work. Hide

I like films that are gritty and hard-hitting and suspenseful. Thrillers, too. I like films that are gritty and hard-hitting and suspenseful. Thrillers, too.

There's so many good comic actors that you just take the best of and try and run with it yourself. T Show more There's so many good comic actors that you just take the best of and try and run with it yourself. Try and bring a little bit of yourself to it, too. Hide

Punch-Drunk Love (2002) is my favorite movie. Punch-Drunk Love (2002) is my favorite movie.

Just because I'm doing 'Star Wars' doesn't mean that'll be the thing that makes people stop me in th Show more Just because I'm doing 'Star Wars' doesn't mean that'll be the thing that makes people stop me in the street. Hide

My mum and my dad have really good taste in movies. My gran would tape them off the TV and write not Show more My mum and my dad have really good taste in movies. My gran would tape them off the TV and write notes about them, rating them. Hide

I watched a couple of films I was in and thought, 'Those are pretty close to what we wanted them to Show more I watched a couple of films I was in and thought, 'Those are pretty close to what we wanted them to be. I feel actually weirdly OK with it all. I can still see flaws in what I'm doing, but I think I delivered. I think I improved the film with my presence.' Hide

Has anybody seen The Notebook (2004) and not cried? I don't know, I don't know if that's the case. I Show more Has anybody seen The Notebook (2004) and not cried? I don't know, I don't know if that's the case. It sort of hangs around for a while. Hide

I tend to play 'tortured' a lot, whether it's physically or emotionally. I tend to play 'tortured' a lot, whether it's physically or emotionally.

I'd rather do one day on a really cool movie than six months on something crap. I'd rather do one day on a really cool movie than six months on something crap.

I think the whole thing is: If it makes sense in your head, the audience will go along with it. I think the whole thing is: If it makes sense in your head, the audience will go along with it.

No one can give me advice on 'Star Wars' because nobody knows what I'm doing in 'Star Wars.' No one can give me advice on 'Star Wars' because nobody knows what I'm doing in 'Star Wars.'

'Star Wars' is different to anything I've done before. 'Star Wars' is different to anything I've done before.

Everyone talks about how we're on our phones all the time, but the fact remains that when I'm away o Show more Everyone talks about how we're on our phones all the time, but the fact remains that when I'm away on a film set for two months, I can Skype my family. I remember the phone calls my parents had to make when my dad was away for a while when I was younger - that once-a-week expensive phone call! The time pressure on talking to your father! Hide

Normally, in a film with lots of twists and turns, half of them don't make sense; they're just there Show more Normally, in a film with lots of twists and turns, half of them don't make sense; they're just there for their own sakes. Hide

I don't go to premieres I'm not involved in. I don't go to premieres I'm not involved in.

I think everybody's got their insecurities and hang-ups. Everybody! Unless you're an idiot. I think everybody's got their insecurities and hang-ups. Everybody! Unless you're an idiot.

I'm a little bit drifty. I'm a little bit all over the place. I'm a little bit drifty. I'm a little bit all over the place.

The idea of having dreams that don't come true is really terrifying. The idea of having dreams that don't come true is really terrifying.

I'd seen my dad on stage, and that was fine, but the real excitement was - that was my dad. Even now Show more I'd seen my dad on stage, and that was fine, but the real excitement was - that was my dad. Even now, when I see his films, he's always my favorite person in the movie. Hide

It's nice to sit down when you're not working. I try to do it as often as possible. It's nice to sit down when you're not working. I try to do it as often as possible.

I like Philip Larkin an awful lot; I really like his view on life, and I really connect to it. I like Philip Larkin an awful lot; I really like his view on life, and I really connect to it.

[on being cast in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) I'm incredibly excited, but the Show more [on being cast in Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015) I'm incredibly excited, but the only way I can be of value is by ignoring fandom, ignoring the other movies to a certain extent, and just trying to do the best job possible. And I think it will be the same for everyone else. Hide

Conventionally handsome is not really where I'm at. Conventionally handsome is not really where I'm at.

It was when I was on stage that I realized that acting could be such a brilliant job. It was when I was on stage that I realized that acting could be such a brilliant job.

Really, all I worry about is the work in hand. Really, all I worry about is the work in hand.

Often times, I just do a job and tell my agents, 'I'm in lockdown now.' I won't talk to anybody abou Show more Often times, I just do a job and tell my agents, 'I'm in lockdown now.' I won't talk to anybody about anything else in the meantime, and I think that's generally the way to go because I also like to have a gap in between jobs. Hide

Fail again, fail better. Fail again, fail better.

Portraying as human the people you hear about on the news doing bad things is dangerous. But it's al Show more Portraying as human the people you hear about on the news doing bad things is dangerous. But it's also necessary and important. Hide

I like cashew nuts. I like cashew nuts.

I got very lucky with 'Harry Potter.' I got that role because I'm a ginger! Red hair was my only qua Show more I got very lucky with 'Harry Potter.' I got that role because I'm a ginger! Red hair was my only qualification! Hide

I'm not going to get better as an actor working on bad stuff. I'm not going to get better as an actor working on bad stuff.

I did like 'Star Wars' when I was a kid. I saw the prequels first; I didn't see the full original fi Show more I did like 'Star Wars' when I was a kid. I saw the prequels first; I didn't see the full original films first all the way through. Hide

My dad said, 'If no one was giving me acting work, I'd have to be prepared to create it myself.' My dad said, 'If no one was giving me acting work, I'd have to be prepared to create it myself.'

I was in 'Harry Potter,' and nobody on the street recognizes me from that. Nobody on the street has Show more I was in 'Harry Potter,' and nobody on the street recognizes me from that. Nobody on the street has ever stopped me from 'Harry Potter!' Hide

'Black Mirror,' I read that, and I had another offer for a movie at the same time that was a bigger Show more 'Black Mirror,' I read that, and I had another offer for a movie at the same time that was a bigger movie, an actual film as opposed to TV, but I said, 'No, it has to be Black Mirror.' And it hadn't been sold to Netflix, hadn't gone abroad at that point - but it's just good work - that's all there is to it. Hide

I'm pretty lowbrow. It's a failing. I'm pretty lowbrow. It's a failing.

I worked with the Coen brothers, which had been a dream of mine. I worked with the Coen brothers, which had been a dream of mine.

I'm pleased to say I grew up in a happy family in Dublin. I feel we're very close. I'm pleased to say I grew up in a happy family in Dublin. I feel we're very close.

The Coen brothers are amazing; they're special. The Coen brothers are amazing; they're special.

Doesn't matter if I'm right or wrong - if I'm hungry or hot, I'm probably arguing with someone about Show more Doesn't matter if I'm right or wrong - if I'm hungry or hot, I'm probably arguing with someone about something. Especially if that someone is rude. Hide

'Pale Fire' by Vladimir Nabokov was bloody hard work but really thrilling. 'Pale Fire' by Vladimir Nabokov was bloody hard work but really thrilling.

The worst thing as an actor is when you're not getting opportunities to try and show what you can do Show more The worst thing as an actor is when you're not getting opportunities to try and show what you can do; the best thing is when you get material that really lets you express something and that you're excited about. Hide

Yeah, yeah, yeah, time travel's a nightmare. Don't go down that path. Yeah, yeah, yeah, time travel's a nightmare. Don't go down that path.

In 'Cavalry' I had one scene where I was playing a pretty awful character. In 'Cavalry' I had one scene where I was playing a pretty awful character.

Two things are always happening in acting. On the one hand, it's a team sport. We're all pulling tog Show more Two things are always happening in acting. On the one hand, it's a team sport. We're all pulling together. But on the other, you have to look after your own character. Guard their interests. Hide

Look at Cillian Murphy: 'Batman,' 'Tron'... those are some heavy-hitting franchises. But he works hi Show more Look at Cillian Murphy: 'Batman,' 'Tron'... those are some heavy-hitting franchises. But he works his way around it. He manages to have a great career and a great life. Hide

The whole idea with acting is that you take some risks. And if you take some risks, you're really go Show more The whole idea with acting is that you take some risks. And if you take some risks, you're really going to mess up sometimes. But it's not OK to mess up a movie; it's not OK to do that just so you can improve as an actor. But film-making takes a little bit of risk in every department. Hide

If there's one person in the world with whom a chemistry read is unnecessary, it's Rachel McAdams. If there's one person in the world with whom a chemistry read is unnecessary, it's Rachel McAdams.

I've been interested in the writing/directing thing and really fell into acting by complete accident Show more I've been interested in the writing/directing thing and really fell into acting by complete accident. Hide

I did Never Let Me Go (2010) and there were amazing people on that. Brilliant writer, director, cast Show more I did Never Let Me Go (2010) and there were amazing people on that. Brilliant writer, director, cast. That was quite special. Hide

Domhnall Gleeson's FILMOGRAPHY

as Actor (62)

Six Shooter

Late Night with Seth Meyers - Season 10

Unbroken

Run - Season 1

The Late Show with Stephen Colbert - Season 4

A Dog Year

The Late Late Show with James Corden - Season 4

Catastrophe - Season 4

Shadow Dancer

Black Mirror - Season 3