Gabriel Byrne Biography (2)
Beginning his acting career with the Abbey Theater, Byrne later joined the Royal Court Theater in London. The Dublin-born actor made his feature film debut in John Boorman's Excalibur. Other European films include the acclaimed Defense of the Realm and Hannah K. During this time, he worked for several noteworthy European directors including Costa-Gavras, Ken Russell and Ken Loach. In 1990, he made his American debut in the Coen brothers' film Miller's Crossing.
In 1998 and 1999, Byrne starred in three number one box office successes in a row: End of Days as the Devil, Stigmata, and as D'Artagnan in The Man in the Iron Mask opposite Leonardo DiCaprio, Jeremy Irons, John Malkovich and Gerard Depardieu.
In 1995 he starred in the groundbreaking The Usual Suspects, and then in Smilla's Sense of Snow with Julia Ormond. He was then seen in Wim Wenders' End of Violence and Polish Wedding with Lena Olin and Claire Danes.
In 1993, Byrne produced the film In the Name of the Father, which earned several Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. Then in 1994, he produced and starred in Into the West opposite Ellen Barkin.
Byrne has been dividing his time between writing, producing, and acting. His first book, Pictures in my Head, was published in Ireland where it became a critically acclaimed best seller.
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