Domhnall Gleeson Quotes

Powerful Domhnall Gleeson for Daily Growth

About Domhnall Gleeson

Domhnall Gleeson, born on April 12, 1983, in Dublin, Ireland, is an accomplished actor who has made a significant impact in the film industry with his versatile performances. The son of renowned Irish actor Brendan Gleeson, Domhnall's interest in acting was nurtured from an early age. He studied English Literature at Trinity College Dublin but soon realized his passion lay elsewhere and decided to pursue a career in acting. His breakthrough role came in 2008 when he portrayed Bill Weasley, the younger brother of Ron Weasley, in "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince." This role launched him into international stardom, but it was his role as Gerry in Joe Wright's "An Education" that earned him a British Independent Film Award for Most Promising Newcomer. Gleeson has since appeared in a wide range of critically acclaimed films such as "In Bruges," "True Grit," "The Guard," and the sci-fi trilogy "Star Wars: The Force Awakens," "The Last Jedi," and "The Rise of Skywalker" where he played General Hux. His performance in "Ex Machina" earned him a BAFTA nomination for Best Supporting Actor. In 2015, Gleeson made his directorial debut with "Room," based on Emma Donoghue's novel of the same name. The film was critically acclaimed and earned Brie Larson an Academy Award for Best Actress. Gleeson continues to push boundaries with his roles, demonstrating a unique ability to transform into diverse characters. His work not only reflects his talent but also showcases the rich Irish storytelling tradition passed down from his father.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"I think fear is a very important part of what we do as actors."

This quote suggests that actor Domhnall Gleeson believes that fear plays a significant role in acting. Fear can stimulate authentic, emotional responses from an actor, making their portrayals more believable and impactful to audiences. It signifies the courage it takes for actors to put themselves in vulnerable situations, embodying different characters and emotions, thereby enriching the art of performance with raw, genuine depth.


"Acting is like a dance. You've got to know when to lead and when to follow."

This quote by Domhnall Gleeson suggests that acting, similar to dance, requires an understanding of dynamics and interplay between actors (leaders) and their characters or fellow actors (followers). Actors must be able to take charge when needed to drive the scene or story forward, but also know when to subordinate themselves to other elements, such as the script, the director's vision, or the actions of other performers. The balance between leading and following is crucial for a successful performance that effectively tells a compelling story.


"I don't really believe in being typecast, but if I was going to be typecast, it would be great to be typecast as someone who can do different things."

Domhnall Gleeson's quote indicates a desire to avoid being confined within the same acting role or "type" but simultaneously expresses an aspiration for recognition as versatile and adaptable, capable of playing diverse characters in various roles. In essence, he aims to showcase his range as an actor while not limiting himself to any specific stereotype or character archetype.


"I love playing characters that are completely the opposite of me."

This quote suggests that actor Domhnall Gleeson derives satisfaction from portraying characters that are significantly different from his real-life personality. By choosing roles which contrast him, he may explore new facets of human nature, deepen his understanding of diverse personalities, and potentially offer more engaging performances to audiences.


"When you're acting, you're pretending to be someone else and you've got to trust your instincts."

This quote by Domhnall Gleeson underscores the essence of acting as an art that requires immersion into a fictional character while maintaining a level of authenticity. Trusting one's instincts here means relying on personal intuition, feelings, and inner sense to breathe life into the role being portrayed. Actors must find that delicate balance between staying true to their own emotions and adhering to the scripted persona, all while creating a believable performance for the audience.


Everyone talks about how we're on our phones all the time, but the fact remains that when I'm away on a film set for two months, I can Skype my family. I remember the phone calls my parents had to make when my dad was away for a while when I was younger - that once-a-week expensive phone call! The time pressure on talking to your father!

- Domhnall Gleeson

Fact, I Remember, Away, Remains

I got to work with Cillian Murphy and my dad, Jim Broadbent and Jodie Whittaker on 'Perrier's Bounty.' It was a small part, but it was really special.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Work, Small, Small Part, Jim

It's hard to get people up and out to shows, but 'The Walworth Farce' has masses of energy and will attract a crowd who don't always come to the theatre, which is great.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Will, Always, Which, Farce

Angelina Jolie is just an extremely talented, generous, nice person to be around and to work with.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Nice Person, Extremely, None

I watched a couple of films I was in and thought, 'Those are pretty close to what we wanted them to be. I feel actually weirdly OK with it all. I can still see flaws in what I'm doing, but I think I delivered. I think I improved the film with my presence.'

- Domhnall Gleeson

Doing, Couple, Weirdly, Flaws

I'm certainly a young actor. I'm certainly those two things. Actually, I'm not even young anymore; I'm 29. So, I'm an actor.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Young, Anymore, Certainly, Young Actor

Normally, in a film with lots of twists and turns, half of them don't make sense; they're just there for their own sakes.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Own, Them, Half, Normally

Look at Cillian Murphy: 'Batman,' 'Tron'... those are some heavy-hitting franchises. But he works his way around it. He manages to have a great career and a great life.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Career, Some, Works, Great Life

The whole idea with acting is that you take some risks. And if you take some risks, you're really going to mess up sometimes. But it's not OK to mess up a movie; it's not OK to do that just so you can improve as an actor. But film-making takes a little bit of risk in every department.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Some, Movie, Idea, Department

I was in 'Harry Potter,' and nobody on the street recognizes me from that. Nobody on the street has ever stopped me from 'Harry Potter!'

- Domhnall Gleeson

Street, Ever, Stopped, Potter

I got very lucky with 'Harry Potter.' I got that role because I'm a ginger! Red hair was my only qualification!

- Domhnall Gleeson

Lucky, Role, Very, Potter

Often times, I just do a job and tell my agents, 'I'm in lockdown now.' I won't talk to anybody about anything else in the meantime, and I think that's generally the way to go because I also like to have a gap in between jobs.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Tell, I Think, Anybody, Agents

I'm not built like a leading man.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Like, Leading, Built, Leading Man

Two things are always happening in acting. On the one hand, it's a team sport. We're all pulling together. But on the other, you have to look after your own character. Guard their interests.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Own, Other, Guard, Team Sport

The rom-com genre is not something that necessarily lights my jets.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Something, Genre, Jets, Lights

Has anybody seen 'The Notebook' and not cried? I don't know, I don't know if that's the case. It sort of hangs around for a while.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Anybody, Sort, While, Case

'Pale Fire' by Vladimir Nabokov was bloody hard work but really thrilling.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Work, Fire, Thrilling, Bloody

Life is difficult for everyone; everyone has bad days. Everyone has trouble in their life, because it doesn't matter how rich you are: Sickness and trouble and worry and love, these things will mess with you at every level of life.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Love, Worry, Bad, Bad Days

Going home, spending time with the family, I feel they're my friends as well, all of them. I look forward to meeting any one of them for a coffee, and when we all get together, I just love it.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Love, Get Together, Feel, Together

'Punch-Drunk Love' is my favorite movie.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Love, Movie, Favorite, Love Is

I'd seen my dad on stage, and that was fine, but the real excitement was - that was my dad. Even now, when I see his films, he's always my favourite person in the movie.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Movie, Always, Films, Excitement

When I was younger, my father told me not to pigeonhole the way that I perceive myself.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Father, Myself, Younger, Pigeonhole

The Coen brothers are amazing; they're special.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Amazing, Special, Brothers, Coen

I worked with the Coen brothers, which had been a dream of mine.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Which, Mine, Worked, Coen

The Olympia was a really special place for me as a kid. I saw Dad perform there so many times, so it means a lot.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Kid, Means, Dad, Special Place

I do feel a wave come over me when I hear those two words, 'Star' and 'Wars,' said together. I feel tense, shut up, and stare into the middle distance.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Middle, Over, Shut, Hear

I stand to learn more working as an actor with really talented people than I do by directing a feature.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Learn, More, Talented People, Directing

When you work with actors, what you're hoping to absorb is good ways to be an actor as opposed to how to handle being famous.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Work, Famous, Opposed, Absorb

There is something wonderful about turning up every day and knowing that not just the character but the whole movie kind of rests on your shoulders. And there's great satisfaction when you think it's going well and then real terror when you think it's not.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Every Day, Shoulders, Movie, Rests

I'm a pessimist by nature, so it's always the worst things that come to mind first whenever you make a decision or have a decision to make.

- Domhnall Gleeson

Decision, Mind, Always, Pessimist

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