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CHICAGO – The late playwright August Wilson left a gift to the world in the form of his “American Century Cycle,” a series of plays each individually set in a decade of the 20th Century, focusing on the black experience. Chicago’s Goodman Theatre presents Wilson’s “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone,” now through May 19th, 2024 (click here).
Top Five Irish Actors: The Old School, New School and Hollywood Dropouts
Submitted by HollywoodChicago.com on March 19, 2008 - 5:25pm
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HOLLYWOOD – Silver Screen Indie Queen here with some post-St. Patty’s Day film buzz. What better way to start a column than with the Irish? There’s an industry list as long as my arm of actors with Irish American blood including James Cagney, John Cusack and Joan Cusack, Spencer Tracy and even Lindsay Lohan. As for the list of those Irish born and bred, though, now that’s a different story.
After doing a little legwork, I was able to come up with quite an impressive list. Represented we have the old school, the new school and the dropouts who are conquering Hollywood as we speak. So, enjoy this nicely rounded top five list of men who have the drawl and a lil’ shot of punk-rock mentality.
 Photo credit: IMDb |
What better place to start than with my zombie-ass kickin’ No. 1. Ever since “28 Days Later,” we film geeks have paid attention. Indie roles like “Breakfast on Pluto” balanced out his million-dollar smashes like “Batman Begins”.
He’s creepy cute, has the chops and is one of my favorite actor period. Yes, he is no other than Cillian Murphy. Since most of you have seen the zombie and bat movies, step out of that comfort zone and queue up “Sunshine,” “Wind That Shakes the Barley,” and “Intermission”. Now that’s acting.
 Jeff Vespa, WireImage.com |
Whether he’s Remington Steele or 007, Pierce Brosnan seems to make aging gracefully his hobby. Any film you choose with Pierce he’ll be dapper, but if you want to see a Brosnan you’ve not seen in a while, check out Richard Shepard’s “The Matador”.
While this comedy was overlooked, the only one to blame is the marketing department because this movie made me laugh right off the couch. Think trigger-sloppy hitman beyond his prime with a tad bit of a drinking problem. Makes the victim feel a little more at peace, doesn’t it?
Bad boys Colin Farrell and Jonathan Rhys Meyers share the No. 3 spot for no other reason except there are too many seasoned thespians who can’t possibly be left out. While Colin does the mainstream thing deliciously, don’t miss “The New World” directed by Terence Malick where you see a much calmer and established actor.
 Left image credit: Steve Granitz, WireImage.com; Right image credit: WireImage.com |
Usually when one thinks of King Henry VIII, the piercing eyes of Jonathan Rhys Meyers don’t come to mind.
 Credit: Buena Vista Pictures |
Once he stepped into those testosterone-filled boots in the hit series “The Tudors,” though, he has been winning hearts across the globe. I prefer “Velvet Goldmine” because it’s a daring and flawless performance. It seems like everyone has an indie nugget in their closet.
Next we have Colm Meaney. While some of you may not know him by name, you’d recognize that his mug of his anywhere.
You Trekkies will know him from the record 14 seasons of “Star Trek” he’s done, and still, he’s no stranger to the silver screen. He’s done everything from “Die Hard” to “Layer Cake” to Irish indie favorites “The Commitments” and “The Snapper”.
 Credit: Columbia Pictures |
Last but certainly not least we have Peter O’Toole. I hate that I left out important peeps like Ciaran Hinds, Stephen Rea and Gabriel Byrne who truly walk on water, but for the love of Pete: it’s freaking O’Toole!
Run – don’t walk – to your computer and put “The Lion in Winter” at the top of your Netflix queue. Also, make sure to include “Beckett” and this little movie called “Lawrence of Arabia”. Breathe… It’s going to be OK.
So that’s my list and I’m sticking to it. Even if you don’t agree with my order, you can’t disagree with some heavy-hitting talent that has come our way from the Emerald Isle.
Here’s the Indie Queen signing off until next Wednesday for part two on HollywoodChicago.com. Remember: If you don’t like what’s in the theatre, don’t suffer through! Your next favorite movie could be right there in your Netflix (or Blockbuster Online; we don’t show favoritism!) queue.
 | By RACHEL FAITH |
Misbehaving ways should become known
I have more news to add and I thought you might find this of interest.
I know a family in the flight aviation business. Sometimes, they fly Colin Farrell and his family. The daughter has a crush on Farrell. She comes over regularly and shares the latest gossip about whom they have transported recently. Last week she was on board one of the flights that Colin took and she had some personal time with him. Here’s the dope: Colin smoked the entire flight, drank the entire flight, [ he is consuming hard liquor again ], Jack Daniels in fact, and kept inviting this seventeen year old to join the “Mile High Club” with him as her sponsor!
Farrell is NOT dating MM any longer but is interesting in a pilot inside of this family.
Its this particular woman pilot that Farrell is involved with. The woman is Catholic, and legally separated from her husband. Now that she and Farrell are involved, the woman, Victoria, is seeking an annulment or a full fledged divorce.
Her estranged husband is a rather higher up in the Knight of Columbus organization. And he is going berserk calling in various states bishops to try and talk some sense into his wife, or at least to stop the annulment.
I’m always amazed about how secretive the Catholic church can be where matters like this are concerned. But the family is being very disgraced by her relationship with him and is pressuring her to break it off.
This family has a good deal of wealth and this is all very bad press for them.
Frankly, I think its about time of some their dirt and misbehaving ways became known.
I live in Los Angeles and
I live in Los Angeles and often see guests coming and going from the Four Seasons here. Its street knowledge that Farrell has been seeing a woman that wears a uniform. We’re trying to find out if she’s private or commercial. Does anyone know? If she flys commercial, what airline?
Colin Lying To Press
I think its a shame how Colin acts all clean and sober in the press but is drinking and following his older pre-rehab habits. It was just the middle of March that Colin Farrell and Johnny Depp were drunk up in Vancouver Canada. That’s the night that Colin took a piss off the roof top of the restaurant.
He actually had the foresight to bring a body guard with him that night to help get him safely into a vehicle and back to his hotel.
FARRELL IS ONE LYING MAN AND IS DEFINITELY NOT SOBER.
Colin Farrell At Restaurant With Woman - Designated Flyer!
My husband and I were coming through the airport in Los Angeles back in March. Colin Farrell and some men were also coming down the causeway. There were reporters all over the place and as we came out the main doors Colin and three men were getting into a black SUV. Colin almost ran toward it to get inside and avoid the reporters. But my husband and I could hear some of the questions being flung at him and there was something about his dating a pilot. We were laughing on the way to our hotel about the event and wondering if Colin has put the moves on some pilot or crew member onboard their plane! Well, knowing him, you just never know….
I told my daughter about what happened at the airport and she just rolled her eyes. She works out in Los Angeles and for a rather trendy restaurant. She tells me that on two occasions Farrell has been in the dining area with a man and woman. The last time the woman wasn’t drinking with the two men and the men in a joking way said she was their designated driver, and then Colin popped up and said, ” She’s our designated flyer!”
The man with dark hair explained she was a private pilot and was going to fly Colin across the border later and that’s why she wasn’t drinking and that there was nothing wrong with the service or anything.
It wasn’t long and Farrell had two more rounds and had his left arm wrapped around the woman trying to smooch on her. Now, if she wasn’t his girlfriend and only in his employment thats no way for a woman, especially a professional to be acting. But at least she wasn’t drinking with them.
:)
Cillian No.1
i deff agree with that
Pilot rumor about Colin Farrell
First fo all if she is American, I doubt the Catholic church would get involved……only when a divorce is final does the church touch it. If she really wanted a divorce she can get an uncontested one or a quickie one in another country.
You guys I once use to beleive what you said about Colin but now I know you tell lies. According to my facts and I live in New York, he is dating a sista.
Irish Actors
My God! How could you leave the great Richard Harris off this list and have Colin Farrel1 on it? Granted, Colin is pretty good, but he is no Richard Harris—-not by a long shot. You’ve chosen “eye candy” over talent.
Is This Really Worth The Effort?
Come on people, is this really worth the effort? Good luck to Colin what ever he does in his private life..I can think of more pressing issues for discussion…