Stephen Rea is one of the most iconic and important cultural figures, not alone of his own, but of any generation to come from Ireland.
Born in 1946, he studied English at Queen’s University in his hometown of Belfast and drama at the Abbey Theatre School in Dublin, before starring in a number of television series and making his big screen debut as a villager in the 1970 film ‘Cry of the Banshee.’ His exceptional skills on both stage and screen, and being an established star of the West End, led to him being cast in the likes of ‘V for Vendetta’, ‘Michael Collins’, ‘Interview with the Vampire’, and ‘Breakfast on Pluto.’ Stephen’s role as Fergus in Neil Jordan’s 1992 film ‘The Crying Game’ saw him nominated for the Best Actor Oscar at the 65th Academy Awards, alongside Clint Eastwood, Denzel Washington, Robert Downey Jr. and eventual winner Al Pacino.
Throughout his career, he has championed the Irish language, literature, music and theatre, and with his authentic depth and honesty, as well as his commitment to his craft, Stephen has firmly cemented himself and Ireland on the world stage.