Jack Gleeson | |
|---|---|
 Gleeson in 2023 | |
| Born | 20 May 1992 Cork, Ireland |
| Alma mater | Trinity College Dublin |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 2002–present |
| Spouse |
Róisín O'Mahony (m. 2022) |
Jack Gleeson (born 20 May 1992) is an Irish actor. He is best known for portraying Joffrey Baratheon in the HBO television series Game of Thrones (2011–2014). Following this role, Gleeson took a six-year hiatus from screen acting. He returned to the screen in 2020 and has since appeared in the Irish film In the Land of Saints and Sinners (2023) and the series The Sandman (2025) and House of Guinness (2025).
Early life
Jack Gleeson was born in Cork, Ireland, and raised in Ranelagh, Dublin, where he attended Gonzaga College. Both of his parents are lawyers. He has two older sisters, Rachel and Emma, who are also involved in Irish theatre.[1] He attended drama classes with them when he was young, and also performed in youth theatre.[2][3]
Gleeson attended Trinity College Dublin between 2010 and 2015.[4] He studied philosophy and theology and was elected a scholar in 2012.[5][6] At Trinity, Gleeson was a member of DU Players, where he met his future co-founders of Collapsing Horse Theatre Company.[1]
Career
Gleeson began acting at the age of eight in the Independent Theatre Workshop.[3][7] His first roles were in films such as Reign of Fire (2002), Batman Begins (2005), Shrooms (2007), and A Shine of Rainbows (2009). In 2010, he played a leading role in the film All Good Children, which was selected for the Directors' Fortnight at the Cannes Film Festival.[8] A reviewer for Variety considered Gleeson "the pic's big discovery".[9]
In 2011, Gleeson starred as Joffrey Baratheon in the HBO fantasy drama Game of Thrones.[10] His performance received critical acclaim, and his character is widely regarded as one of television's best villains.[11] In 2012, Gleeson expressed his intention to step back from professional acting to pursue an academic career once his work on the series was finished.[6] He retired from screen acting in 2014 after concluding his work on Game of Thrones, but stated that while he had previously been interested in pursuing academia, he had since "gone off that idea".[12] TVLine named Gleeson "Performer of the Week" for his work in the episode "The Lion and the Rose".[13]
Throughout the 2010s, Gleeson was a member of the Dublin-based Collapsing Horse Theatre Company, of which he was a co-founder and producer.[14] He was in the original cast of the company's first production, Monster/Clock, a puppet show that premiered in Dublin in 2012.[15][16] His next appearance was in "lo-fi comedy", Bears in Space, which premiered in Dublin in July 2014 and was part of the 2014 Edinburgh Festival Fringe.[17] The show received positive reviews and was revived in Dublin and London in 2015, as well as Off-Broadway at 59E59 Theaters in New York in September 2016.[18][19] In 2017, Collapsing Horse was appointed artistic director of the Cat Laughs comedy festival; Gleeson gave a four-hour performance "as a cat from the 9th-century absurdist poem".[20] Collapsing Horse came to an end in November 2019.[21]
Gleeson made two public appearances in 2019. In June, he was featured in the musical comedy program AMUSICAL at the Cat Laughs festival.[22][23] Then, in August, he made a surprise appearance at Trinity Brawl 2, a wrestling event in Dublin.[24]
Gleeson returned to the screen in Sara Pascoe's 2020 series Out of Her Mind.[25][26] In 2023, he appeared alongside Liam Neeson in the film In the Land of Saints and Sinners,[27] and guest-starred in season four of Sex Education and in the BBC adaptation of The Famous Five novels.[28][29] In 2025, Gleeson reunited with fellow Game of Thrones alum Alfie Allen in the Dutch–Belgian thriller Safe Harbor.[30] He also appeared as Puck / Robin Goodfellow in the second season of the Netflix series The Sandman and as Byron Hedges in the historical drama House of Guinness, which is loosely based on the history of the Guinness family.[31][32]
Personal life
Gleeson divides his time between London, where he moved in 2015, and Dublin.[33] On 27 August 2022, he married his long-time girlfriend Róisín O'Mahony in a small Catholic ceremony in County Kerry.[34]
Gleeson publicly supported the successful campaign to legalise abortion in Ireland in 2018.[35]
Acting credits
Film
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Reign of Fire | Kid | Uncredited | [36] |
| 2003 | Fishtale | Boy with fish | Short film | [37] |
| 2004 | Tom Waits Made Me Cry | Young Vincent | [38] | |
| Shaving the Baby | [39] | |||
| 2005 | Batman Begins | Little Boy | [40] | |
| 2007 | Shrooms | Lonely Twin | [36] | |
| 2008 | We Are Munster | Short film | [41] | |
| 2009 | A Shine of Rainbows | Seamus | [42] | |
| 2010 | All Good Children | Dara | [43] | |
| 2012 | Chat | Adam | Short film | [44] |
| Electric Burma | Himself | Documentary | [45] | |
| 2014 | Ringsend | Short film | [46] | |
| 2021 | Rebecca's Boyfriend | Rory | [47] | |
| 2023 | In the Land of Saints and Sinners | Kevin Lynch | [48] | |
| 2025 | With Compliments from the Gentlemen Across the Bar in Oman | Himself | Short film | [49] |
| Learners | Charlie | Voice, short film | [50] |
Television
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011–2014 | Game of Thrones | Joffrey Baratheon | Main role (seasons 1–4) | [51] |
| 2020 | Out of Her Mind | Casper | 2 episodes | [52] |
| 2023 | Sex Education | Dodgy Mo | 2 episodes (season 4) | [53] |
| 2023–2024 | The Famous Five | Thomas Wentworth | 3 episodes | [54] |
| 2025 | Safe Harbor | Farrell Walsh | Main role | [55] |
| The Sandman | Puck / Robin Goodfellow | 5 episodes (season 2) | [56] | |
| House of Guinness | Byron Hedges | 6 episodes | [57] |
Theatre
| Year | Title | Role | Venue | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | A Christmas Carol | Tiny Tim | Gate Theatre | [58] | |
| 2007 | Great Expectations | Young Pip | [59] | ||
| DNA | Riverbank Arts Centre | [60] | |||
| 2009 | The Giant Blue Hand | Timmy Time | The Ark | [61] | |
| 2011 | Spurt | Various | Cork Midsummer Festival | [62] | |
| 2012 | Monster/Clock | Toby | Smock Alley Theatre | Also associate producer | [15] |
| 2013 | Distance from the Event | N/a | Dublin Fringe Festival | Associate producer | [63] |
| Human Child | N/a | Smock Alley Theatre | Co-producer | [64] | |
| 2014–2016 | Bears in Space | Nico/Skin | Project Arts Centre | [17] | |
| Edinburgh Festival Fringe | |||||
| Smock Alley Theatre | |||||
| Soho Theatre | |||||
| 59E59 Theaters | |||||
| 2017 | The Water Orchard | N/a | Project Arts Centre | Dramaturg | [65] |
| 2018 | Collapsing Horse Science Fiction Radio Hour | Performer | Set Theatre | Episodes: "Yokespiracy" & "The Irrational Number" | [66] |
| The Sugar Club | |||||
| 2020–2022 | To Be a Machine (Version 1.0) | Mark O'Connell | Dublin Theatre Festival | [67] | |
| Némo Bienniale Internationale | |||||
| Hong Kong Arts Festival | |||||
| 2021 | The Seagull | Constantine | Galway International Arts Festival | [68] | |
| 2023 | To Be a Machine (Version 2.0) | Mark O'Connell | Dublin Theatre Festival | [69] |
Accolades
| Award | Year | Category | Nominee / Work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st Irish Theatre Festival | 2016 | Special Jury Prize | Bears in Space | Won[a] | [70] |
| IGN Awards | 2011 | Best TV Villain | Game of Thrones | Nominated | [71] |
| 2012 | Best TV Villain | Nominated | [72] | ||
| 2013 | Best TV Villain | Nominated | [73] | ||
| IGN People's Choice Awards | 2012 | Best TV Villain | Won | [72] | |
| 2013 | Best TV Villain | Won | [73] | ||
| Portal Awards | 2012 | Best Young Actor | Nominated | [74] | |
| Russian National Movie Awards | 2015 | Best Foreign Villain of the Year | Nominated | [75] | |
| Saturn Awards | 2013 | Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series | Nominated | [76] | |
| Scream Awards | 2011 | Best Ensemble | Nominated | [77] | |
| Screen Actors Guild Awards | 2011 | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | Nominated | [78] | |
| 2013 | Nominated | [79] | |||
| Young Hollywood Awards | 2014 | We Love to Hate You | Nominated | [80] |
Notes
- ^ Shared with co-stars Eoghan Quinn, Aaron Heffernan, and Cameron Macauley.
References
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- ^ Blake Knox, Kirsty (6 December 2013). "Game Of Thrones king Jack Gleeson 'is just my baby brother' says his big sister Rachel". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Jack Gleeson". The Independent Theatre Workshop. 16 May 2016. Archived from the original on 5 December 2016. Retrieved 5 December 2016.
- ^ Moran, Anna (20 September 2016). "Dear Fresher Me: Jack Gleeson". The University Times. Archived from the original on 5 August 2025. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "Minutes of Board Meeting" (PDF). Trinity College Dublin. 16 April 2012. Archived (PDF) from the original on 14 November 2024. Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ a b O'Regan, Mark (17 April 2012). "Jack Gleeson swaps 'Game of Thrones' for seat of learning". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 1 May 2022. Retrieved 21 April 2012.
- ^ "Jack Gleeson Lands Major HBO Pilot!". In The Spotlight. 30 October 2009. Archived from the original on 10 March 2010. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ^ "Irish Film ALL GOOD CHILDREN Officially Selected for Renowned Director's Fortnight at Cannes". Screen Ireland. Archived from the original on 20 December 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ Felperin, Leslie (20 May 2010). "All Good Children – Film Reviews – Cannes". Variety. Archived from the original on 26 September 2025. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ^ Kit, Borys (19 July 2009). "Sean Bean ascends to Game of Thrones". Reuters. Archived from the original on 19 May 2023. Retrieved 11 December 2011.
- ^ Kelleher, Lynne (18 June 2014). "Jack Gleeson's cruel King Joffrey is named best TV villain". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 8 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ Hibberd, James (13 April 2014). "Game of Thrones star Jack Gleeson talks royal wedding shocker". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 15 August 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
- ^ "TVLine's Performer Of The Week: Jack Gleeson". TVLine. 19 April 2014. Archived from the original on 24 January 2025. Retrieved 22 October 2025.
- ^ "Company". Collapsing Horse. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ a b "Monster/Clock". Irish Playography. Archived from the original on 9 August 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ "Monster Clock (2012)". Dan Colley. Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ a b "Bears in Space". Collapsing Horse. Archived from the original on 18 December 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ Bartleet, Larry (10 August 2016). "Jack Gleeson, AKA 'Game Of Thrones" King Joffrey, Is Playing With Puppets Now". NME. Archived from the original on 7 November 2023. Retrieved 1 May 2019.
- ^ Brantley, Ben (2 October 2016). "Review: 'Bears in Space,' an Interstellar Romp Through Winsome Silliness". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Archived from the original on 30 September 2023. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "From ferocious to feline; When Game of Thrones star Jack Gleeson turned into a cat". Irish Sun. 4 June 2017. Archived from the original on 26 June 2017. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ @collapsinghorse; (28 November 2019). "Dearest Friends, It is with abundant yet heavy hearts that we have decided, after 8 wonderful years, to bring Collapsing Horse to an end. We're still going to be making work as collaborators and close friends, but for now this particular chapter is closing". Archived from the original on 9 October 2025. Retrieved 9 October 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "AMUSICAL". The Cat Laughs Comedy Festival. Archived from the original on 22 August 2019. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- ^ "5 unmissable acts at the 2019 Kilkenny Cat Laughs Comedy Festival". RTÉ. 29 May 2019. Archived from the original on 23 May 2021. Retrieved 9 October 2025.
- ^ Satin, Ryan (17 August 2019). "Jack Gleeson aka King Joffrey Makes Appearance at Wrestling Event". Pro Wrestling Sheet. Archived from the original on 8 March 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2019.
- ^ "Game of Thrones' Jack Gleeson to make TV return". RTÉ. 7 March 2020. Archived from the original on 4 June 2020. Retrieved 5 February 2022.
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- ^ Whittock, Jesse (28 November 2023). "Alfie Allen, Charlie Murphy & Jack Gleeson To Lead Thriller Series 'Safe Harbor' From 'Ozark' Co-Creator Mark Williams, Night Train & Submarine". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 6 September 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ Petski, Denise (2 July 2024). "'The Sandman' Season 2 Casts Orpheus, Odin, Thor, Loki & More". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 20 September 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ Whittock, Jesse (25 July 2025). "'House Of Guinness': James Norton & Jack Gleeson Among Cast For Netflix's Brewery Dynasty Drama". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on 27 November 2024. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
- ^ White, Hilary (31 July 2021). "Game of Thrones actor Jack Gleeson: 'All I wanted to do growing up was to act in a big film or TV show and I achieved my utmost dream'". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 15 June 2025. Retrieved 29 October 2025.
- ^ Mulgrew, Seoirse (29 August 2022). "Joffrey weds: Irish Game of Thrones star Jack Gleeson marries long-term girlfriend in Kerry". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 21 November 2022. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ "Jack Gleeson in conversation with Mark O'Halloran". 18 May 2018. Archived from the original on 1 April 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ a b Jones, Nate (12 October 2016). "Jack Gleeson on Game of Thrones, the Time He Peed Himself on Set, and Why You Should Do Everything With Puppets". Vulture. Archived from the original on 8 June 2025. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
- ^ Fishtale (Short film). Paul Glynn. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ^ Rock, Fergal (2 February 2010). "Tom Waits Made Me Cry". Vimeo. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
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- ^ "Batman Begins: 11 bat-tastic facts you probably never knew about Christopher Nolan's superhero movie". Digital Spy. 16 June 2016. Archived from the original on 8 November 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2025.
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- ^ "Another wonderful memory from the last 20 years - our Youth Theatre performing the Irish Premiere of Dennis Kellys DNA at the Riverbank Arts Centre, Kildare. Looking at the photo its great to see that all have kept up their acting! Performing in everything from college productions to Game of Thrones!!". Independent Theatre Workshop Facebook. 16 December 2012. Archived from the original on 16 October 2025. Retrieved 16 October 2025.
- ^ "The Giant Blue Hand". Irish Playography. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
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- ^ "Human Child". Irish Playography. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "The Water Orchard". Collapsing Horse. Archived from the original on 20 December 2019. Retrieved 1 April 2019.
- ^ "Collapsing Horse Science Fiction Radio Hour" (Podcast). DMC Radio. 2018. Retrieved 11 October 2025.
- ^ "To Be a Machine (Version 1.0)". Dead Centre. Archived from the original on 16 March 2023. Retrieved 12 October 2025.
- ^ "The Seagull". Druid Theatre. Archived from the original on 7 April 2025. Retrieved 8 October 2025.
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External links
Wikiquote has quotations related to Jack Gleeson.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jack Gleeson.
- Jack Gleeson at IMDb
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