Michael Byrne (actor)
| Michael Byrne | |
|---|---|
| Born |
7 November 1939 London, England, UK |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1962–present |
Michael Byrne (born 7 November 1939) is an English actor noted for his roles in the National Theatre and in Hollywood films and on television.
Byrne was born in London, England to Helen Byrne of Kilkenny Ireland, a single parent.
Michael, through his mothers work at the Anna Freud war nursery, was fortunate enough to be supported throughout his childhood by refugees fleeing Nazi Germany. This support continued far beyond nursery and indeed included funding for his first year of Drama School. He was then awarded the Gielgud scholarship.
Byrne is a long established stage actor, having joined the National theatre in 1964 and appearing in many seasons since, he has also appeared on stage throughout the world. He has numerous theatre credits to his name including: Roberto Miranda in Death and the Maiden at the Royal Court, Maskwell in The Double Dealer and Claudio in Much ado about nothing,at the National Theatre, Reg in Butley at The Criterion also The Cherry Orchard, The Seagull, Romeo and Juliette, Mayor of Zalamea, All my sons, Lulu, Faith Healer, Duchess of Malfi, A slight Ache, Molly Sweeney amongst many others.
During his career he has played many military roles such as Colonel Vogel in Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Major Schroeder in Force 10 from Navarone, Reinhard Beck in The Scarlet and the Black, General Olbricht in The Plot to Kill Hitler . He is the SS interrogator in Rogue Male. Byrne appeared as a Jewish concentration camp survivor who is instrumental in the capture of a Nazi war criminal (played by Ian McKellen) in the film Apt Pupil.
He is also familiar to audiences as Smythe, a soldier who attempts to rape William Wallace's wife and first inspires Wallace to seek independence from England in the film Braveheart.
His other film credits include The Eagle Has Landed, Butley, A Bridge Too Far, The Medusa Touch, The Saint, Tomorrow Never Dies, The Good Father, The Sum of All Fears, Gangs of New York, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, Mortdecai.
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