Originally by Ranker FilmList RulesMale actors from Ireland, dead or alive. Vote based on their entire body of work.
Sure, Colin Farrell is a handsome bad boy, but what about all those other great Irish actors? This list of the best Irish actors of all time reaches back in film history to rank the greatest male actors to have ever hailed from Ireland. Hollywood just wouldn't be the same without Lawrence of Arabia and a whole bunch of James Bond films, and those movies wouldn't be what they were without a few of the top Irish actors ranked here.
Who are the best Irish actors ever? The land of Erin has given the world many good actors, who have played iconic roles, been part of blockbuster and classic films, and represented Ireland on the big screen for decades. Great classic Irish actors like Peter O'Toole and Richard Harris are listed here, along with more modern talents like Liam Neeson, Colin Farrell, and Pierce Brosnan. Think of your favorite movie, and there just might be a good Irish actor starring as the leading man.
This list features the top Irish actors of all time including Peter O’Toole, Liam Neeson, Noel Purcell, Tony Doyle, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Pierce Brosnan, Richard Harris, and Colin Kenny. Don't see your favorite actor from the Eire? Add him below so other film fans can vote. Then, be sure to vote and rerank the list according to who you think are the best Irish actors to have ever graced the screen.1
6931,075Daniel Day-Lewis
Gangs of New York, The Last of the MohicansBirthplace: Greenwich, London, United Kingdom
Nationality: Ireland, United Kingdom
Sir Daniel Michael Blake Day-Lewis (born 29 April 1957) is a retired English actor who holds... more2
1,3191,097Aidan Turner
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug, The Mortal Instruments: City of BonesBirthplace: Republic of Ireland, Dublin, Clondalkin
Nationality: Ireland
Aidan Turner (born 19 June 1983) is an Irish actor. He played the roles of Kíli in the... more3
7191,127Michael Fassbender
Inglourious Basterds, X-Men: First ClassBirthplace: Heidelberg, Germany
Nationality: Republic of Ireland, Germany
Michael Fassbender (born 2 April 1977) is an Irish-German actor. His feature film debut was in... more4
785837Cillian Murphy
The Dark Knight, The Dark Knight RisesBirthplace: Douglas, County Cork, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Cillian Murphy (; born 25 May 1976) is an Irish actor. He began his career performing as a... more5
6481,066Colin Farrell
Minority Report, DaredevilBirthplace: Castleknock, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Colin Farrell (born 31 May 1976) is an Irish actor. Farrell appeared in the BBC drama... more6
579991Peter O'Toole
Lawrence of Arabia, RatatouilleBirthplace: Connemara, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Peter Seamus O'Toole (; 2 August 1932 – 14 December 2013) was a British stage and film actor... more7
7151,291Pierce Brosnan
Mars Attacks!, Mrs. DoubtfireBirthplace: Drogheda, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland, United States of America
Pierce Brendan Brosnan (; born 16 May 1953) is an Irish–American actor, film producer,... more8
6591,192Richard Harris
Gladiator, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneBirthplace: Limerick, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Richard St. John Harris (1 October 1930 – 25 October 2002) was an Irish actor and singer. He... more9
11258Ian McKellen
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingBirthplace: Burnley, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom
Sir Ian Murray McKellen (born 25 May 1939) is an English actor. His career spans genres... more10
8295Bill Murray
Ghostbusters, Groundhog DayBirthplace: Wilmette, Illinois, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America
William James Murray (born September 21, 1950) is an American actor, voice actor, comedian,... more11
450761Brendan Gleeson
Braveheart, Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireBirthplace: Republic of Ireland, Dublin
Nationality: Ireland
Brendan Gleeson (born 29 March 1955) is an Irish actor and film director. He is the recipient... more12
395749Jonathan Rhys Meyers
Mission: Impossible III, Bend It like BeckhamBirthplace: Drimnagh, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Jonathan Rhys Meyers (born Jonathan Michael Francis O'Keeffe; 27 July 1977) is an Irish actor.... more13
325589Jamie Dornan
Marie Antoinette, Fifty Shades of GreyBirthplace: Holywood, Bangor, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom
James Dornan (born 1 May 1982) is an actor, model, and musician from Northern Ireland. He... more14
4748Aidan Gillen
The Dark Knight Rises, Shanghai KnightsBirthplace: Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Aidan Gillen (; born Aidan Murphy; 24 April 1968) is an Irish actor. He is known for his... more15
392837Gabriel Byrne
The Usual Suspects, ExcaliburBirthplace: Walkinstown, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Gabriel James Byrne (born 12 May 1950) is an Irish actor, film director, film producer,... more16
271506Domhnall Gleeson
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part IBirthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Domhnall Gleeson (Irish: [ˈd̪ˠoːnˠəl̪ˠ]; born 12 May 1983) is an Irish actor, voice actor, and... more17
387874Kenneth Branagh
Thor, Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsBirthplace: Belfast, United Kingdom
Nationality: Northern Ireland, United Kingdom
Sir Kenneth Charles Branagh (born 10 December 1960) is a Northern Irish actor, director,... more18
318708Sam Neill
Jurassic Park, The Hunt for Red OctoberBirthplace: Ireland, Europe, Eurasia, Ulster, County Tyrone
Nationality: New Zealand
Nigel John Dermot Neill (born 14 September 1947), known professionally as Sam Neill, is a... more19
9432,250Liam Neeson
The Dark Knight Rises, Batman BeginsBirthplace: Ballymena, United Kingdom
Nationality: Northern Ireland, United States of America, United Kingdom
Liam John Neeson (born 7 June 1952) is an actor from Northern Ireland. He has been nominated... more20
253551Chris O'Dowd
Thor: The Dark World, BridesmaidsBirthplace: Boyle, County Roscommon, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Christopher O'Dowd (born 9 October 1979) is an Irish actor and comedian, best known for his... more21
427972Sean Bean
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the RingBirthplace: England
Nationality: United Kingdom, England
Shaun Mark Bean (born 17 April 1959), credited professionally as Sean Bean (), is an English... more22
261589Colm Meaney
The Last of the Mohicans, Die Hard 2Birthplace: Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Colm J. Meaney (; Irish: Colm Ó Maonaigh; born 30 May 1953) is an Irish actor known for... more23
276690Aidan Quinn
Legends of the Fall, Practical MagicBirthplace: Chicago, Illinois, United States of America
Nationality: United States of America, Ireland
Aidan Quinn (born March 8, 1959) is an Irish-American actor, who made his film debut in... more24
241658Michael Gambon
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2Birthplace: Cabra, Dublin, Republic of Ireland
Nationality: Republic of Ireland
Sir Michael John Gambon (born 19 October 1940) is an Irish-born British character actor and... more25
195532Stephen Rea
V for Vendetta, Interview with the Vampire: The Vampire ChroniclesBirthplace: Belfast, United Kingdom
Nationality: United Kingdom
Stephen Rea ( ray; born 31 October 1946) is an Irish film and stage actor. Rea has appeared in... more
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