| Irish stage, film and television actor Date of Birth: 24.04.1968 Country: Ireland |
Aidan Gillen, originally known as Aidan Murphy, was born and raised in Drumcondra, Dublin. He comes from a family with a strong artistic background, as his sister Fionnuala is also an actress, his sister Patricia pursued a career in education, and his brother John Paul Murphy became a playwright. Gillen first discovered his passion for acting during his teenage years when he joined the Dublin Youth Theatre and made his debut in the play "A Midsummer Night's Dream".
Gillen gained widespread recognition for his role as Stuart Alan Jones in the highly successful Channel 4 series "Queer as Folk". This role not only brought him fame but also earned him a nomination for the British Academy Television Award for Best Actor. He went on to portray John Boy in the Irish crime drama "Love/Hate", Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish in HBO's "Game of Thrones", and Tommy Carcetti in "The Wire".
Gillen's first notable stage role was in the Broadway production of "The Caretaker" for which he received a Tony Award nomination. He also gained attention for his performance in the Dublin Gate Theatre's production of "American Buffalo", earning him a nomination for the Irish Times Theatre Award. His role in "The Caretaker" caught the attention of HBO producers, leading to his inclusion in the popular series "The Wire".
In 2004, Gillen joined the main cast of the acclaimed series "The Wire", which further elevated his popularity. He won the Irish Film & Television Award for Best Actor in a Lead Role in Television for his performance in the show. Gillen's career continued to flourish with roles in films such as "12 Rounds" alongside John Cena, "Freefall" with Dominic Cooper, and "Thorne" with David Morrissey.
In 2011, Gillen joined the cast of the hit television series "Game of Thrones", portraying the character Petyr 'Littlefinger' Baelish. This role earned him a second Irish Film & Television Award nomination. He also appeared in films including "Blitz" with Jason Statham, "Wake Wood" alongside Timothy Spall, and "Shadow Dancer" as one of the lead characters. Gillen further showcased his versatility by taking on the role of a criminal leader in the Irish crime drama "Love/Hate", which earned him his third Irish Film & Television Award.
In 2001, Aidan Gillen married his long-time girlfriend Olivia O'Flanagan. They have chosen to keep their personal life private, and Gillen currently resides with his family in Ireland.