American actor Brian Dennehy: biography, films

Brian Dennehy is an American actor who likes to act in detective stories. His creative path began with the role of dangerous criminals, then began to embody the images of policemen. By the age of 78 this famous workaholic managed to play in more than 160 films and serials, novelties with his participation are published almost every year. What is known about this talented person?

Brian Dennehy: childhood

The future actor was born in the small American town of Bridgeport, it happened in July 1938. Brian Dennehy was born into a family of immigrants from Ireland. His parents were far from the film world, his mother was engaged in housekeeping, his father worked as an editor in the "Associated Press". The first years of the boy's life were in New York, where his mother and father soon moved.

Hardly at the beginning of the life of the star, someone could have guessed that he would become an actor. Brian Dennehy grew active and mobile, was fond of sports, visited various sections. He did not forget about his studies, paying special attention to humanitarian disciplines. In his teens, his favorite subjects were history and literature.

Youth years

Interest in history was not lost in Brian and when he graduated from school. The young man decided to study this subject at Columbia University. In his student years, he also played American football, playing for the university team. By the end of the training, Dennehy realized that he was mistaken in his choice of profession. He was suddenly fascinated by the art of drama, he began to dream about the scene and admirers.

After graduating from university, Brian Dennehy devoted five years of service to the US Marine Corps. It is interesting that the actor, when popularity came to him, began to assure journalists that he had fought in Vietnam. He also liked to talk about the severe wound he received in combat, which forced him to undergo long-term treatment. Later it turned out that this was not true, which prompted the star to apologize to all whom he had misled for his love of beautiful stories.

After the army, the young man entered the number of students at Yale University, where he had the opportunity to study the art of drama. He did not refuse from the sport, joining the local rugby team.

First achievements

Debut Brian actor was held in 1977, but remained unnoticed by viewers and critics. The beginner of the lieder received episodic roles in the television projects "Serpico" and "Kocak". Then he began to play minor characters in the famous series, he can be seen in "Lu Grant", "Dallas", "Dynasty".

The first films with the participation of Brian Dennehy came out when the actor had already hit 39 years. His debut was the picture "Half-Screw", "Waiting for Mr. Goodbar." The directors mainly charged the little-known actor with the role of emigrants, taking into account his Irish appearance.

For the first time about Dennehy started talking, when he starred in the detective television project "Catch the killer." In this series, Bryan embodied the image of John Gacy, his hero - an elusive serial killer, after which the law enforcement agencies are chasing. This role brought the actor a nomination for the Emmy, but the prize was given to another challenger. The critics and spectators also approvingly approached the drama "The Belly of an Architect", in which he played a key character with a tragic fate.

Starry hour

Famous actor made the picture "Rambo: First Blood". Brian Dennehy in this action movie received the role of a negative character. His hero is an evil and narrow-minded sheriff who undeservedly pursues a veteran of the war because of his hatred of vagabonds. Antagonist Dennehy in this tape depicts Sylvester Stallone. Of course, the character of Bryan loses the fight, but it is his role of criticism is called the decoration of the picture.

Next comes another famous detective with the participation of the actor - "The illusion of murder." Brian Dennehy starred in this film in 1985. The story begins with the fact that the genius of special effects Rolly Tyler receives an unusual order from the Ministry of Justice. The hero should depict the "murder" of an important witness whose testimony should play a decisive role in the fight against shadow businessmen. As a result, the witness disappears, and Rolly begins to blame for his "death."

Of course, the fans of the actor should not miss another one of his famous film - "Gorky Park", which was released in 1983. The story begins with a mysterious murder committed in Moscow, which is forced to investigate a simple police officer.

The best pictures of the 90s

Brian Dennehy is an actor whose fame grew with every year he lived. In the 90 years he embodied a huge number of bright images. For example, the drama "Trade Union boss", in which the actress was portrayed by Jackie Presser, received rave reviews. His hero impresses the audience with his cruelty and authoritarianism.

Comedy roles also work great for a talented actor. Proof of this can serve as a picture of "Uvalen Tommy." Brian played in this film one of the secondary characters - the parent of the protagonist. It is impossible not to mention his role in one of the adaptations of Shakespeare's immortal creation "Romeo and Juliet". Dennehy superbly coped with the image of Father Romeo, becoming the screen father of Leonardo DiCaprio.

New Age

Shooting in the drama "Death of a Salesman" - one of the main achievements of an American actor. Dennehy in this tape played a key role, playing the loser Willy Loman. His character loses his job, gets into debt, which significantly complicates the life of his family. All this forces Willie to settle accounts with life, because thanks to this, his relatives can get insurance and start life anew. The son, amazed by his father's death, decides to abandon his plans and continue the work of his life - to become a traveling salesman.

Of course, "Death of a Salesman" is by no means the only bright tape with the participation of Brian, published in the new century. The actor can be seen in the painting "Our Holy Fathers", which deals with the scandals, whose heroes were Catholic priests. This role gave the star another nomination for the Emmy, but the award swam back into the wrong hands.

In the detective "Attack on the 13th plot" Brian embodied the image of Sergeant Jasper. He played a similar role in the tape "She Hates Me." Also in the new century, the actor is actively engaged in the voice acting of cartoons, for example, his voice is spoken by the hero of the popular picture "Ratatouille".

Life Behind the Scenes

Brian Dennehy is an actor who literally lives on the set, it's no surprise that he has so many roles on his account. However, the constant employment did not prevent the star from marrying twice. His first lady was Judith Scheff, married with whom he spent about 15 years. The reasons for the parting of the celebrity with the first wife remained a mystery for journalists and fans.

In 1998, Dennehy again decided to tie the knot, his second wife was Jennifer Arnott, with whom he lives and now. Brian has two daughters, Kathleen and Elizabeth also trying to succeed in the world of cinema.

Interesting Facts

Few people know that Dennehy adopted two children, Sarah and Cormac, who have already grown up. The adoptive son and daughter, unlike the actor's daughters, decided not to associate their life with the world of show business. It is also interesting that Brian is constantly confused with his colleague Charles Derning. The external similarity of the two actors often became the cause of the emergence of amusing situations. Dennehy has long ceased to pay attention to such incidents.