Gabriel Byrne - Actor Profile

Gabriel Byrne

Acting
Freshness: Jan 19, 2026
50Total Films
9.0 Highest Rated
Born: May 12, 1950
Birth Place: Dublin, Ireland

About Gabriel Byrne

Gabriel James Byrne (born 12 May 1950) is an Irish actor. He has received a Golden Globe Award and nominations for a Grammy Award, two Primetime Emmy Awards and two Tony Awards. Byrne was awarded the Irish Film and Television Academy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018 and was listed at number 17 on The Irish Times list of Ireland's greatest film actors in 2020. In 2009, The Guardian named him one of the best actors who never received an Academy Award nomination. Byrne's acting career began at the Focus Theatre in Dublin before he joined London's Royal Court Theatre in 1974. His screen debut came in the Irish drama serial The Riordans and the spin-off show Bracken. He went on to star in such films as Defence of the Realm (1986), Lionheart (1987), Miller's Crossing (1990), Little Women (1994), Dead Man (1995), The Usual Suspects (1995), The Man in the Iron Mask (1998), Enemy of the State (1998), Vanity Fair (2004), The 33 (2015), and Hereditary (2018). He co-wrote The Last of the High Kings (1996) and produced In the Name of the Father (1993).  For his Broadway work, Byrne has received two nominations for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play for his roles in the Eugene O'Neill plays A Moon for the Misbegotten (2000) and Long Day's Journey into Night (2016). For his television work, Byrne has received two nominations for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Paul Weston in the HBO drama series In Treatment (2008–2010). He also received a Golden Globe Award. His other notable television roles include Vikings (2013), Maniac (2018), and War of the Worlds (2019–2022). Description above from the Wikipedia article Gabriel Byrne, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Career Statistics & Market Influence

Analyzing the cinematic journey of Gabriel Byrne reveals a career defined by diverse artistic exploration. With a total of 50 major appearances, the actor has established a significant footprint in global cinema.

Genre Dominance: Drama

The majority of Gabriel Byrne's filmography leans towards the Drama genre. Audience data suggests that viewers respond most favorably to this persona, though their versatility has allowed for successful crossovers into other categories.

The "Box Office" Signature

With a 62% Success Ratio (movies rated above 6.5), Gabriel Byrne remains a reliable draw for studios. Their peak performance was recorded in Cursed: The True Nature of Hereditary, which continues to be the benchmark for their career rating-wise.

Best Gabriel Byrne Movies Ranked

Must-watch hits from Gabriel Byrne's career based on audience ratings.

Complete Filmography & Success Status

Tracking the career evolution and box office verdicts of Gabriel Byrne.

YearMovieCharacterSuccessMore
2025 Richard Burton: Wild Genius Self Super Hit Similar →
2025 Four Letters of Love Muiris Gore Average Similar →
2025 Ballerina The Chancellor Hit Similar →
2025 Blue Road: The Edna O'Brien Story Self Super Hit Similar →
2023 Dance First Samuel Beckett Hit Similar →
2022 The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse The Horse (voice) Super Hit Similar →
2022 Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend Enzo Ferrari Average Similar →
2020 Lost Girls Richard Dormer Average Similar →
2018 Cursed: The True Nature of Hereditary Self - Steve Super Hit Similar →
2018 Hereditary Steve Graham Hit Similar →
2018 Atlantic Salmon: Lost at Sea Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2017 Into the Night: Portraits of Life and Death Self Super Hit Similar →
2017 Carrie Pilby Mr. Pilby Hit Similar →
2016 Versus: The Life and Films of Ken Loach Self - Actor Hit Similar →
2015 Endless Night Bram Average Similar →
2015 Louder Than Bombs Gene Reed Hit Similar →
2015 The 33 Andre Sougarret Average Similar →
2014 Vampire Academy Victor Dashkov Average Similar →
2013 Just a Sigh Man Average Similar →
2012 Capital Dittmar Rigule Average Similar →
2012 John Ford: Dreaming the Quiet Man Narrator Super Hit Similar →
2011 A Man's Story Self Hit Similar →
2005 Assault on Precinct 13 Captain Marcus Duvall Average Similar →
2003 Shade Charlie Miller Average Similar →
2003 Flight from Death: The Quest for Immortality Narrator Hit Similar →
2002 Spider Bill Cleg Hit Similar →
2002 Pursuing the Suspects Himself Hit Similar →
2002 Round Up: Deposing 'The Usual Suspects' Self Hit Similar →
2002 Keyser Soze, Lie or Legend - Featurette Self Hit Similar →
2002 Virginia's Run Ford Lofton Hit Similar →
2000 Making Love Violinista / Jeno Varga Adulto Hit Similar →
1999 End of Days The Man Average Similar →
1999 Stigmata Father Andrew Kiernan Average Similar →
1998 Enemy of the State 'Brill' Hit Similar →
1998 Quest for Camelot Lionel (voice) Hit Similar →
1998 The Man in the Iron Mask D'Artagnan Hit Similar →
1997 Smilla's Sense of Snow The Mechanic Average Similar →
1995 Dead Man Charlie Dickinson Hit Similar →
1995 The Usual Suspects Keaton Super Hit Similar →
1995 Buffalo Girls Teddy Blue Average Similar →
1994 Little Women Friedrich Bhaer Hit Similar →
1994 A Simple Twist of Fate John Newland Average Similar →
1994 All Things Bright and Beautiful The Good Thief Super Hit Similar →
1993 Point of No Return Bob Average Similar →
1992 Into the West Papa Reilly Average Similar →
1990 Shipwrecked Lt. John Merrick Hit Similar →
1990 Miller's Crossing Tom Reagan Super Hit Similar →
1986 Defence of the Realm Nicholas 'Nick' Mullen Average Similar →
1983 Hanna K. Joshué Herzog Average Similar →
1981 Excalibur Uther Hit Similar →

Gabriel Byrne - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best movie of Gabriel Byrne?

According to audience ratings, the best movie starring Gabriel Byrne is "Cursed: The True Nature of Hereditary" with a rating of 9.0/10.

How many movies has Gabriel Byrne acted in?

Gabriel Byrne has been featured in at least 50 major films throughout their career.

What are some other popular movies by Gabriel Byrne?

Other notable films include "The Usual Suspects", "The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse", and "All Things Bright and Beautiful".