Colm Meaney
Meaney in 2016
Born (1953-05-30) 30 May 1953
Dublin, Ireland
OccupationActor
Years active1978–present
Spouses
​
​
(m. 1977; div. 1994)​
    Ines Glorian
    ​
    (m. 2007)​
    Children2

    Colm J. Meaney (/ˈkɒləm/;[1] Irish: Colm Ó Maonaigh; born 30 May 1953) is an Irish actor best known for playing Miles O'Brien in Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987–1994) and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (1993–1999). He has guest-starred on many TV shows including Law & Order and The Simpsons, and starred as Thomas C. Durant on Hell on Wheels (2011–2016).

    He has a career in films, appearing in Layer Cake, The Damned United, all three film adaptations of Roddy Doyle's The Barrytown Trilogy, and in Get Him to the Greek. He portrayed a principal character in the film The Englishman who Went up a Hill but Came down a Mountain.[2] In 2017, Meaney won the Best Actor IFTA for his portrayal of Irish politician Martin McGuinness in the film The Journey. In 2020, he was listed at number 24 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors.[3]

    Early life

    Meaney was born in Finglas, Dublin.[4] He began studying acting at age 14, and he entered the Abbey Theatre School of Acting after secondary school. He became a member of the Irish National Theatre and worked for the next eight years in England, touring with several theatre companies, including the 7:84 theatre group founded by John McGrath.[5]

    Career

    Meaney (right) with Star Trek: Deep Space Nine co-stars Marc Alaimo (left) and Armin Shimerman (middle)

    Meaney's first television appearance was in Z-Cars on BBC One, in 1978. He guest-starred on shows such as Remington Steele and Moonlighting before embarking on a successful film career; he received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor for his role in The Snapper.[6]

    Meaney first appeared on Star Trek: The Next Generation in its 1987 pilot episode, "Encounter at Farpoint", as an unnamed helm officer. His character became a frequently recurring one, and was given the name of Miles O'Brien as he became more prominent in the crew as Transporter Chief. In 1993, Meaney left The Next Generation for a main role in its spin-off Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and remained on that show until its final episode, in 1999. With 225 total appearances on Star Trek, he is second to Michael Dorn with most appearances on the franchise.

    Meaney played Colum O'Hara in the 1994 miniseries Scarlett, the sequel to Gone With the Wind. He has played a minor recurring role as Cowen,[7] leader of the Genii on the series Stargate Atlantis,[8] guest-starred on Law & Order, Law & Order: Criminal Intent and appeared as Bob O'Donnell on the ABC show Men in Trees. Meaney appeared in the film Die Hard 2, playing the pilot of the plane Windsor 114 that was later crashed by Colonel Stuart.

    He was the only actor to appear in all three film adaptations of Roddy Doyle's The Barrytown Trilogy, as the father of the Rabbitte family. His stage appearances include the Old Vic production of Eugene O'Neill's A Moon for the Misbegotten. Meaney starred in British comedy film Three and Out (released in the UK on 25 April 2008). In July of the same year An Post (the Irish Post Office[9]) issued a postage stamp showing Meaney as Joe Mullen in the film Kings.[10]

    In 2009, Meaney co-starred with Gerard Butler and Jamie Foxx in Law Abiding Citizen, playing Detective Dunnigan. In March 2009, Meaney voiced an Irish bartender on the St. Patrick's Day episode of The Simpsons, "In the Name of the Grandfather". In the same month the film The Damned United was released, a mostly fictional retelling of the 44-day period in which Brian Clough was manager of Leeds United F.C. Meaney played former Leeds manager Don Revie. He co-starred in Soldiers of Fortune. In 2013, Meaney co-starred in Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa. In 2014, he appeared as The Horse in the BBC's three-part crime story The Driver. For five seasons he portrayed railroad magnate Thomas C. Durant on AMC's drama series Hell on Wheels.[11]

    Personal life

    Meaney married Irish actress Bairbre Dowling in 1977.[4] Their daughter Brenda was born in 1984. The couple divorced in 1994.[12] He married French costume designer Ines Glorian in March 2007. Their daughter was born in 2005. They live in the Majorcan town of Sóller.[4][5][13]

    Meaney is a supporter of Sinn Féin.[6]

    Filmography

    Film

    Year Title Role Notes
    1981 Nailed Younger Protestant
    1987 Omega Syndrome Sean
    The Dead Mr. Bergin
    1990 Die Hard 2 Pilot
    Dick Tracy Cop at Tess's
    Come See the Paradise Gerry McGurn
    1991 The Commitments Jimmy Rabbitte, Sr.
    1992 Under Siege Daumer
    The Last of the Mohicans Maj. Ambrose
    Far and Away Kelly
    Into the West Barreller
    1993 The Snapper Dessie Curley Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy
    1994 War of the Buttons Jerome/Geronimo's father
    The Road to Wellville Dr. Lionel Badger
    1995 The Englishman Who Went Up a Hill But Came Down a Mountain Morgan the Goat
    1996 The Van Larry
    The Last of the High Kings Jim Davern
    1997 Con Air Agent Duncan Malloy
    Owd Bob Keith Moore
    1998 This Is My Father Seamus, owner of the Bed and Breakfast
    Monument Ave. Jackie O'Hara a.k.a. Snitch
    October 22 Steve
    Claire Dolan Roland Cain
    1999 Mystery, Alaska Mayor Scott Pitcher
    Chapter Zero Frank Lazarus
    Four Days Fury
    Most Important Dan O'Neill
    The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns Seamus Muldoon
    2001 Backflash Gin O'Malley Video
    How Harry Became a Tree Harry Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor
    2003 The Boys from County Clare Jimmy
    Intermission Jerry Lynch
    2004 Blueberry Jimmy McClure
    Layer Cake Gene
    Battle of the Brave Benjamin Franklin
    2005 Turning Green Tom
    2006 Five Fingers Gavin
    A Lobster Tale Cody
    2007 Kings Joe Mullan Nominated – Irish Film and Television Award for Best Actor
    The Metrosexual The Mayor Great Lakes Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actor
    2008 Clean Break Trevor Jones
    Three and Out Tommy
    2009 The Damned United Don Revie
    The Race Frank Kensay
    Law Abiding Citizen Detective Dunnigan
    2010 Get Him to the Greek Jonathan Snow
    Alleged H. L. Mencken
    Parked Fred Daly
    The Conspirator Gen. David Hunter
    2011 El Perfecto Desconocido Mark O'Reilly
    2012 Whole Lotta Sole Detective Weller Known as Stand Off in North America
    Bel Ami Monsieur Rousset
    Soldiers of Fortune Carter Mason
    The Hot Potato Harry
    The Cold Light of Day CIA Agent
    2013 Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa Pat Farrell
    One Chance Roland Potts
    A Belfast Story Detective
    Free Birds Myles Standish Voice
    2014 The Devil's Hand Elder Beacon
    2016 Norm of the North Grandfather Voice
    Pelé: Birth of a Legend George Raynor
    The Journey Martin McGuinness
    The Secrets of Emily Blair Father Avital
    2017 Halal Daddy Martin Logan
    2019 Tolkien Father Francis
    Seberg Frank Ellroy
    The Last Right Detective Donall Crowley
    2020 The Banker Patrick Barker
    Pixie Dermot O’Brien
    There's Always Hope[14] Jonathan Stack
    2021 The Monkey[15][16] MacDonell Voice
    2022 Marlowe Bernie Ohls
    Three Day Millionaire Mr. Barr
    2023 Unwelcome "Daddy" Whelan
    In the Land of Saints and Sinners Robert McQue Post-production
    TBA Bring Them Down Post-production

    Television

    Year Title Role Notes
    1978 Z-Cars McGlin Episode: "Pressure"
    1981 Les roses de Dublin Michael Kavanaugh Miniseries
    1982 Play for Tomorrow Kevin Murphy Episode: "Easter 2016"
    Strangers Smollett Episode: "Charlie's Brother's Birthday (Part 1)
    1983 Playboy of the Western World Shawn Television film
    1984 The Hidden Curriculum David Dunn Television film
    1986 Moonlighting Katharina Suitor Episode: "Atomic Shakespeare"
    1987 Remington Steele Man in Tavern Episode: "Steele Hanging in There: Part 2"
    Kenny Rogers as The Gambler, Part III: The Legend Continues Tinkerer Television film
    Tales from the Darkside Constable Episode: "Beetles"
    1987–1988 One Life to Live Alf Unknown episodes
    1987–1992, 1994 Star Trek: The Next Generation Chief Miles O'Brien 52 episodes
    1989 Perfect Witness Meagher Television film
    1990 Equal Justice Nucchi Episode: "The Art of the Possible"
    Father Dowling Mysteries Ernie Episode: "The Undercover Nun Mystery"
    1991 The New Adam-12 Father Episode: "Panic in Alverez Park"
    MacGyver Dr. Irwin Malcolm Episode: "Good Knight MacGyver: Part 1"
    1993 Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman Jake Slicker Episode: "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman"
    Brooklyn Bridge Mr. Kramer Episode: "Good as Gold"
    1993–1999 Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Chief Miles O'Brien 173 episodes
    1994 Scarlett Father Colum O'Hara 2 episodes
    1996 Gargoyles Mr. Dugan (voice) Episode: "The Hound of Ulster"
    1998 Money Kings Al Sheehan Television film; a.k.a. Vig
    1999 The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns Seamus Muldoon Television film
    2002 Random Passage Thomas Hutchings Miniseries
    Nominated – Gemini Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Program or Mini-Series
    King of Texas Mr. Tumlinson Television film
    2004 The Murdoch Mysteries Inspector Brackenreid 2 episodes
    Bad Apple Gibbons Television film
    2004–2006 Stargate Atlantis Chief Cowen 3 episodes
    2005 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Judge Harold Garrett Episode: "In the Wee Small Hours"
    2006 The Unit Charge D'Affaires Episode: "Security"
    Caved In: Prehistoric Terror Vincent Television film
    Covert One: The Hades Factor Peter Howell Television film
    2007 Men in Trees Bob O'Donnell 2 episodes
    2008 Law & Order Wyatt Landon Episode: "Lost Boys"
    2009 The Simpsons Tom O'Flanagan (voice) Episode: "In the Name of the Grandfather"
    Alice King of Hearts Miniseries
    ZOS: Zone of Separation George Titac Miniseries
    Mercy Dr. Parks Episode: "I Believe You Conrad"
    2011–2016 Hell on Wheels Thomas "Doc" Durant 51 episodes
    Nominated – Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actor on Television (2013)
    Nominated – Irish Film & Television Award for Best Actor TV (2013)
    2014 The Driver The Horse 3 episodes
    2015 Childhood's End[17] Wainwright Episode: "The Overlords"
    2017 Will James Burbage 10 episodes
    2020 Gangs of London Finn Wallace 5 episodes
    The Singapore Grip Brendan Archer 6 episodes
    2021 It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia Shelley Kelly 2 episodes
    2022 The Serpent Queen King Francis I

    References

    1. ↑ "Article: Las Vegas 2004: Sunday's Highlights". Star Trek. Archived from the original on 14 August 2004. Retrieved 1 January 2006.
    2. ↑ "The Holy Family in a Pane of Frosted Glass". A Million Tiny Gods. 2 April 2019. Retrieved 3 April 2021.
    3. ↑ Clarke, Donald; Brady, Tara (13 June 2020). "The 50 greatest Irish film actors of all time – in order". The Irish Times.
    4. 1 2 3 "I had no time for them crying into their pints". The Irish Times. 22 September 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2018.
    5. 1 2 Jarlath Regan (10 May 2020). "Colm Meaney". An Irishman Abroad (Podcast) (356 ed.). SoundCloud. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
    6. 1 2 Addley, Esther (3 May 2017). "Colm Meaney on playing Martin McGuinness: 'He was born into this'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 26 February 2020. Retrieved 26 February 2020.
    7. ↑ "10 Shows With The Best Cameos From Star Trek Actors". Screen Rant. 25 November 2019. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
    8. ↑ "Stargate Atlantis on Sci Fi". TV Guide. Retrieved 9 December 2009.
    9. ↑ An Post—the Irish Post Office An Post (retrieved 28 May 2018)
    10. ↑ Warren, Brian (Spring 2009). "That Was the Year That Was–2008 (part 1)". The Revealer. Seminole, FL: Éire Philatelic Association. 58 (4): 63. ISSN 0484-6125.
    11. ↑ "Interview: Colm Meaney talks about Hell on Wheels". Flickering Myth. 16 August 2015. Retrieved 7 May 2017.
    12. ↑ Clarke, Donald (6 May 2017). "Colm Meaney: 'In this business, anybody who keeps their word for 7 minutes is pretty f**king rare'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 21 July 2020.
    13. ↑ "Meaney: still cursing after all these years". Sunday Independent. 16 October 2011.
    14. ↑ "British feature film 'There's Always Hope' completes filming in Algarve". The Portugal News. Retrieved 20 December 2021.
    15. ↑ "Animation Film Session: The Monkey + Flee". Huesca International Film Festival. 6 January 2022. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
    16. ↑ "The Monkey". Comunidad de Madrid [Madrid Community]. 2021. Archived from the original on 15 August 2021. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
    17. ↑ The Deadline Team. "'Hell On Wheels' Star Colm Meaney Cast In 'Childhood's End On Syfy - Deadline". Deadline.
    Wikimedia Commons has media related to Colm Meaney.
    Wikiquote has quotations related to Colm Meaney.
    This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.