Biography
Who is Stephen Rea?
Early life and education
Stephen Rea was born in Belfast, Northern Ireland, on October 31, 1946. His father worked as a bus driver while his mother was a housewife. Although his family was Protestant, they held sympathies for Irish nationalism. He grew up in a household that he has described as being nonreligious.
For his studies, he attended Belfast High School. He later moved on to Queen's University Belfast where he studied English. He also pursued drama training at the Abbey Theatre School located in Dublin.
Stage and film career
The acting career of Stephen Rea began with the Focus Theatre in Dublin. He performed many roles on both Irish television and various stages. He co-founded the Field Day Theatre Company in 1980 alongside Brian Friel, Seamus Heaney, Tom Paulin, and Seamus Deane. His stage work includes performances at the Royal Court Theatre in London as well as the Abbey and Gate theatres in Dublin.
He achieved global recognition through his work with director Neil Jordan. This partnership included roles in The Crying Game, which earned him an Academy Award nomination. He also appeared in Michael Collins, Breakfast on Pluto, and Greta. In 2011, he played the character Gatehouse in the BBC series The Shadow Line. More recently, he appeared in the 2023 film The Miracle Club as Frank.
Awards and recognition
Throughout his career, Stephen Rea has received several prestigious honors. He won a BAFTA Award for his performance in The Honourable Woman in 2015. He has also been nominated for a Golden Globe and a Tony Award. His work has earned him three IFTA Awards.
In 2004, he received honorary doctorates from both Ulster University and Queen's University Belfast for his contributions to the performing arts. In 2020, The Irish Times listed him as the 13th greatest Irish film actor of all time.
Family and personal life
Stephen Rea was married to Dolours Price from 1983 until their divorce in 2003. The couple had two sons together. He met Price in the 1960s, though they had a well-known connection in 1973 when she attended one of his performances at the Court Theatre in London.
He has served as an Ambassador for UNICEF Ireland since 2012. As of 2020, he has been living in County Donegal.
Birthday and age
Stephen Rea was born on October 31, 1946, which makes Stephen 80 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Stephen shares the date with 63 other famous people.
Explore more
