Brendan Cauldwell (25 October 1922 – 12 January 2006) was an Irish radio, film and television actor.

Early life and education

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Cauldwell was born in Fairview, Dublin. He was educated at O'Connell's Irish Christian Brothers School and went on to work in the insurance industry before becoming a full-time actor.

Career

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His interest in acting was encouraged by his uncle, who taught him different dialects in an attempt to manage his stammer.[1]

In 1955, he joined the RTÉ Repertory Company.[2] While with the company, he took part in more than 3,000 productions including the international 32-hour broadcast of Ulysses, the longest ever radio drama. In 1961, he performed in The Weaver's Grave. Adapted and produced by Mícheál Ó hAodha, it was written by Galway author Seamus O'Kelly, and won the Prix Italia for Radio Drama.[3] He played another Joycean role when he acted as Father Michael in Joseph Strick's film, A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man (1977).

His performance as Hennessy in the RTÉ Television production of Strumpet City is regarded as particularly memorable, alongside an earlier performance as Rashers Tierney in the RTÉ Radio 1 production.

He acted in a number of stage, film, and radio productions, including Far and Away and Angela's Ashes. In 1996, he joined the cast of television programme Fair City , playing war veteran Paschal Mulvey, where he worked until 2005.[1]

Personal life

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Cauldwell died in his sleep in 2006, aged 83.[4]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1962 The Playboy of the Western World Jimmy Farrell
1962 The Quare Fellow Shamrock Attendant
1967 Ulysses Bob Doran
1971 Flight of the Doves Club Manager Uncredited
1973 Italian Graffiti The Chemist
1977 A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man Father Michael
1980 It's Handy When People Don't Die The Seanchai
1981 Tristan & Isolde 1st Baron
1986 The Fantasist Hotel Bar Drinker
1992 Far and Away Tavern Keeper
1994 War of the Buttons War of the Buttons
1994 Ailsa Moloney
1996 Moll Flanders Mr. 100 Guineas
1996 Messaggi quasi segreti Night Porter
1999 Angela's Ashes Mr. O'Halloran
2004 The Halo Effect Old Man Willie

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1962 Siopa Stan Adams Series
1966 Insurrection Drunk Episode: "Tuesday, 25 April 1916: Law and Self-Restraint"
1978 The Heart's a Wonder Jimmy Farrell Television film
1980 Strumpet City Hennessy 7 episodes
1981 Manions of America Editor Episode: "Part II"
1981 Die Rosen von Dublin Seamus 6 episodes
1983 The Irish R.M. Con Brickley Episode: "The Boat's Share"
1990 Who Bombed Birmingham? Callaghan Television film
1994 Screen Two Fisherman Episode: "All Things Bright and Beautiful"
1996 Draiocht Grandfather Television film
1997 EastEnders Priest Episode dated 25 September 1997
1997 Fair City Pascal Mulvey Episode dated 24 December 1997
1998 The Wonderful World of Disney Isaac Levy Episode: "Miracle at Midnight"
1999 Mystic Knights of Tir Na Nog Grudye Episode: "The Trial of Angus"
2004 Stew Various characters Episode #1.6

References

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  1. ^ a b "60 years an actor, best loved for 'Fair City' role". The Irish Times. 14 January 2006. Retrieved 12 March 2021.
  2. ^ Eileen Morgan: Radio Éireann Players Archived May 24, 2011, at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ Trinity College Dublin Film Research
  4. ^ "Brendan Cauldwell dies aged 83", RTE News Archived November 3, 2012, at the Wayback Machine