Brian Phelan

Brian Phelan (2 December 1934 – 8 May 2024) was an Irish actor, playwright, and screenwriter. His film work included The Criminal, The Kitchen (1961) and The Soldier's Tale (1964), while his screenwriting included The Knockback (two parts, 1985), and The Treaty (1991).

Early life Phelan was born in Dublin, Ireland, on 2 December 1934 to Micheál Phelan, a builder, and Theresa ( Fogerty) Phelan, a housewife. Educated by the Christian Brothers, Brian was apprenticed as a carpenter at the age of 15. Three years later, he and his family moved to Canada. While there, he was able to obtain his first professional job at the Crest Theatre in Toronto as an assistant stage carpenter.

Career In 1956, Phelan returned to Dublin to pursue his acting career. He appeared in productions at the Abbey Theatre, the Gate Theatre with the Edwards McLiammoir Company, and the Pike Theatre in the 1950s. His first television play was The Tormentors (1966), starring James Mason and Stanley Baker, produced by ATV. Writing predominantly for television, Phelan’s other works include The Russian Soldier (BBC, 1986), The Emigrants (BBC, 1977), In the Secret State (BBC, 1985), The Ivory Trade (HBO), and No Tears (RTÉ One, 2002). Phelan wrote for films as well, including Little Mother (also known as Woman of the Year, 1973), Honeybaby, Honeybaby (1974), and Tailspin: Behind the Korean Airliner Tragedy (1989).

His stage plays include The Signalman's Apprentice (1971), which has been produced worldwide, Article Five, Paddy, News, and Soft Shoe Shuffle. In 1961, Phelan co-presented with Robin Fox the first production of Tom Murphy’s A Whistle in the Dark at the Theatre Royal Stratford East and the Apollo Theatre. Murphy’s Stroke, a film written by Phelan, won a Jacob’s Award in 1980. He was also awarded the London Irish Post Award for his work on The Treaty (1992), and a Golden Nymph Award for Best Mini Series for No Tears (2002) at the 42nd Monte Carlo Television Festival.