Craig Fairbrass

Craig John Fairbrass (born 15 January 1964) is an English actor, producer and screenwriter. Over a career spanning more than four decades, he has worked across British and American film, television and video games. Initially recognised for roles in For Queen and Country, London's Burning (1990), Prime Suspect and the Hollywood action film Cliffhanger (1993), he later gained widespread recognition for portraying Dan Sullivan in the BBC soap opera EastEnders (1999–2001)

From the mid-2000s onwards, Fairbrass established himself as a leading actor in British independent action and crime films. He has starred in productions including The Outsider, London Heist (which he also co-wrote), Breakdown (2014), Muscle (2019), Villain (2020), A Violent Man (2022) and Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece TV series (2023).

Fairbrass is closely associated with the Rise of the Footsoldier franchise through his portrayal of Pat Tate, having starred in five films in the series, including Rise of the Footsoldier, The Pat Tate Years, Origins, Vengeance and Retribution. The role has become one of the defining performances of his career and established him as one of the genre's most recognisable leading actors.

Alongside his screen career, Fairbrass has built an extensive career in voice and performance capture. He is best known for voicing Sergeant Gaz in Call of Duty series from 2007 to 2016; notably Gaz in Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007) and Simon "Ghost" Riley in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009), performances that have become among the most recognisable in the Call of Duty franchise.

Early life Craig John Fairbrass was born at Mile End Hospital in London on 15 January 1964, the son of seamstress Maureen (née Bryan) and dock worker Jack Fairbrass. He grew up in Stepney and has a younger sister named Lindsey. After being expelled from Eaglesfield Boys Comprehensive School in Woolwich at the age of 15, He then began searching for a talent agent to represent him, supporting himself financially by working as a roofer in the daytime,

In 1991, he travelled to Los Angeles and secured his first Hollywood acting role in the 1993 action blockbuster Cliffhanger with Sylvester Stallone. This led to roles in independent films with lead roles in Beyond Bedlam (1994), He then took the lead role of Ray Betson in the Channel Five crime drama The Great Dome Robbery. The film was produced by his son Luke Fairbrass. Craig Fairbrass went on to win the Best Actor Award at the 2016 Marbella International Film Festival for the role.

In 2017, Fairbrass reprised his role of Pat Tate in Rise of the Footsoldier 3: The Pat Tate Years,

In 2020, Fairbrass played Eddie Franks in the London crime thriller Villain.

Recent television and film work Since 2023, Fairbrass has expanded beyond his long-running gangster roles with prominent appearances in international television. He portrayed Chef Zeff (Red-Leg Zeff) in Netflix's live-action adaptation of One Piece, appearing in multiple episodes during the first season. The series became one of Netflix's most-watched international productions and introduced him to a broader global audience.

In 2023, he also appeared as Guy in the BBC crime thriller Boat Story, alongside Daisy Haggard and Paterson Joseph. The series received positive reviews for its dark comedy and crime narrative.

In 2025, Fairbrass starred as Lee in the British independent drama Trapped, directed by Roland Manookian.

Voice Fairbrass provided additional voices in the video game Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare (2007), then again as one of the most iconic characters in the game's history as Ghost in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 (2009) and as various characters in Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3. They have two sons together.

Filmography Film

Television Year Title Role Notes 1980 Shelley Darth Episode: "May the Best Man Win" 1984 Big Deal Nev Episode: "Fighting Chance" 1985 Who, Sir? Me, Sir? Lifeguard Episode: #1.2 1985 Tucker's Luck Dino Episode: #3.9 1986 Emmerdale Gypsy Man 8 episodes 1987 No Place Like Home Macho Episode: "The Marathon" 1987 Three Up, Two Down Man On The Beach Episode: "Come Sail with Me" 1990 Franklin Television film 1990–1991 London's Burning Gary "Technique" Pagnall 7 episodes 1991 Prime Suspect D.I. Frank Burkin Television miniseries 1992 The Return of Shelley Darth Episode: "Accountants & Zulus" 1992 Prime Suspect 2 DI Frank Burkin Television miniseries 1998 Duck Patrol Hero 8 episodes 1998 The Bill Steve André Episode: "All for One" 1999 Soldier of Fortune, Inc. John Harkin Episode: "Figure Eight" 1999 An Unsuitable Job for a Woman Jason Episode: "Living on Risk" 1999–2001 EastEnders Dan Sullivan 137 episodes 2004 The Courtroom Steven Smith Episode: "Twice Bitten" 2006 Dream Team Terry Rose Episode: "War of the Roses" 2007 Stargate SG-1 Arkad Episode: "Talion" 2007 Devon Burke Episode: "Side Angle Side" 2008 Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles Fake Sarkissian Episode: "What He Beheld" 2012 Métal Hurlant Chronicles Timarek Episode: "Three on a Match" 2023 One Piece Chef Zeff 4 episodes 2023 Boat Story Guy 6 episodes

Video games Year Title Role Notes 2007 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Gaz, Wallcroft, additional voices 2009 Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 Lt. Simon "Ghost" Riley 2010 Call of Duty Black Ops Swift 2011 Call of Duty Modern Warfare 3 Wallcroft, additional voices 2012 Infex Doyle 2016 Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare Remastered Gaz, Wallcroft, additional voices 2016 Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare Tee, additional voices 2018 Battlefield 5 George Mason TBA Squadron 42 Vat TagacaIn production

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Work Result Ref.2016Marbella International Film FestivalBest Actor London Heist 20184th National Film Awards UKBest Actor Rise of the Footsoldier 3: The Pat Tate Story