Gerard McSorley
Gerard McSorley 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 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 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. 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 – Martin GallagherAngel – AssistantWithdrawal – GerryTaffin – EdIn the Name of the Father – Detective PavisWidows' Peak – Gaffney, LawyerMoondance – Fr. McGrathWords Upon the Window Pane – Abraham JohnsonAn Awfully Big Adventure – GeorgeBraveheart – ChelthamNothing Personal – CecilMichael Collins – Cathal BrughaSome Mother's Son – Fr. DalyThe Serpent's Kiss – Mr. GalmoyThe Butcher Boy – Psychiatrist #2The Boxer – HarryDancing at Lughnasa – Narrator Felicia's Journey – Felicia's FatherAgnes Browne – Mr. AherneAngela's Ashes – Father GregoryOrdinary Decent Criminal – HarrisonOn The Edge – Rachel's FatherDo Armed Robbers Have Love Affairs? – EddyBloody Sunday – Chief Supt. LaganThe Wayfarer – NatDead Bodies – Gordon EllisVeronica Guerin – John GilliganThe Halo Effect – O'GradyOmagh – Michael GallagherInside I'm Dancing – Fergus ConnollyThe Constant Gardener – Sir Kenneth CurtissMiddletown – Bill HunterThe Front Line – Detective Insp. HarbisonTell It to the Fishes – JackThe Tudors – Robert AskeHesitation – PaulAnton – Detective LynchMr Crocodile in the Cupboard – Harry DunnRip & the Preacher – PreacherWide Open Spaces – HingertySwansong: Story of Occi Byrne – Michael ByrneTown Creek – Mr. MarshallRobin Hood – Baron FitzrobertWar Horse – Market AuctioneerBayonet – Sean O'BrennanIn View Lift – Granddad EddyPenance – Murray
TV roles
Play for Tomorrow – John BinghamThe Irish R.M. – Thomay FoleyBergerac – DoctorLapsed Catholics – Mal NevinThe Rockingham Shoot – Garda CaseyAct of Betrayal – BrendonThe Investigation: Inside a Terrorist Bombing – Paddy McllkennyShakespeare: The Animated Tales – IagoThe Hanging Gale – CoulterThe Governor – Harry ReynoldsKidnapped – ShuanRunway One – ManningA Christmassy Ted – Father Todd UnctiousMaking the Cut Vicious Circle – CrowleyTeenage Cics – Principal ScannelDamage – Defence CounselStriapacha The Tudors – Robert AskeThe Savage Eye – Various