Gerard McSorley

Gerard McSorley (Irish: Gearóid Mac Somhairle; born 1 January 1950) is an Irish theatre, television and film actor.

Early life

He was born in the County Tyrone town of Omagh and, after attending a Christian Brothers school in his hometown, he attended St. Columb's College in Derry. He then attended Queen's University, Belfast, where he was taught by Seamus Heaney. He resides in Gweedore, County Donegal. He is a descendant of John McSorley, who opened McSorley's Old Ale House, the oldest operating pub in New York City.

Career He spent much of his early career working in theatre, notably at the Abbey Theatre in Dublin. After playing Michael Evans in the original West End and Broadway productions of Brian Friel's play Dancing at Lughnasa in the early 1990s, McSorley started to attract more TV and movie roles. He has appeared in many Hollywood movies including Braveheart (in which his character "Cheltham" was decapitated by William Wallace at the battle of Stirling) and In the Name of the Father. One of his most celebrated performances was his lead role in Omagh, a feature-length television drama depicting the effect of the Omagh bombing on the residents of the town. He is also known for playing the mysterious "Father Todd Unctious" in the Christmas special episode ("A Christmassy Ted") of the Channel 4 sitcom Father Ted. His film credits include The Constant Gardener, and he was also cast as Queenan in The Departed but had to pull out (Martin Sheen took over the role). McSorley most recently played the role of Robert Aske in the Showtime historical drama The Tudors. He appeared in the 2010 movie Robin Hood, directed by Ridley Scott and starring Russell Crowe.

Legal issues In November 2019, McSorley was arrested for a breach of the peace. He was also charged with damaging property in a cell at Letterkenny Garda Station. A warrant was issued for his arrest the following month after he failed to appear in court.

Filmography Film

SOS Titanic (1979, TV Movie) – Martin Gallagher Angel (1982) – Assistant Withdrawal (1982, Short) – Gerry Taffin (1988) – Ed In the Name of the Father (1993) – Detective Pavis Widows' Peak (1994) – Gaffney, Lawyer Moondance (1994) – Fr. McGrath Words Upon the Window Pane (1994) – Abraham Johnson An Awfully Big Adventure (1995) – George Braveheart (1995) – Cheltham Nothing Personal (1995) – Cecil Michael Collins (1996) – Cathal Brugha Some Mother's Son (1996) – Fr. Daly The Serpent's Kiss (1997) – Mr. Galmoy The Butcher Boy (1997) – Psychiatrist #2 The Boxer (1997) – Harry Dancing at Lughnasa (1998) – Narrator (voice) Felicia's Journey (1999) – Felicia's Father Agnes Browne (1999) – Mr. Aherne Angela's Ashes (1999) – Father Gregory Ordinary Decent Criminal (2000) – Harrison On The Edge (2001) – Rachel's Father Do Armed Robbers Have Love Affairs? (2001, Short) – Eddy Bloody Sunday (2002) – Chief Supt. Lagan The Wayfarer (2003, Short) – Nat Dead Bodies (2003) – Gordon Ellis Veronica Guerin (2003, Nominated for a 2003 Irish Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor) – John Gilligan The Halo Effect (2004) – O'Grady Omagh (2004, TV Movie, Won a 2004 Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor) – Michael Gallagher Inside I'm Dancing (2004) – Fergus Connolly The Constant Gardener (2005) – Sir Kenneth Curtiss Middletown (2006, Nominated for a 2007 Irish Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor) – Bill Hunter The Front Line (2006) – Detective Insp. Harbison Tell It to the Fishes (2006, Short) – Jack Hesitation (2007, Short) – Paul Anton (2008, Nominated for a 2009 Irish Film and Television Award for Best Supporting Actor) – Detective Lynch Mr Crocodile in the Cupboard (2008, Short) – Harry Dunn Rip & the Preacher (2008) – Preacher Wide Open Spaces (2009) – Hingerty Swansong: Story of Occi Byrne (2009) – Michael Byrne Town Creek (2009) – Mr. Marshall Robin Hood (2010) – Baron Fitzrobert War Horse (2011) – Market Auctioneer Bayonet (2012, Short) – Sean O'Brennan In View (2016) Lift (2016) – Granddad Eddy Penance (2018) – Murray

TV roles Play for Tomorrow (1982) – John Bingham The Irish R.M. (1984) – Thomay Foley Bergerac (1985) – Doctor Lapsed Catholics (1987) – Mal Nevin The Rockingham Shoot (1987) – Garda Casey Act of Betrayal (1988) – Brendon The Investigation: Inside a Terrorist Bombing (1990) – Paddy Mcllkenny Shakespeare: The Animated Tales (1994) – Iago The Hanging Gale (1995) – Coulter The Governor (1995) – Harry Reynolds Kidnapped (1995) – Shuan Runway One (1995) – Manning A Christmassy Ted (1996) – Father Todd Unctious Making the Cut (1998) Vicious Circle (1999) – Crowley Teenage Cics (2006) – Principal Scannel Damage (2007) – Defence Counsel Striapacha (2008) The Tudors (2009) – Robert Aske The Savage Eye (2009) – Various