The versatile Irish actor Domhnall Gleeson, whose career has spanned psychopaths, romantic leads, and intergalactic villains, is finally receiving his first major Hollywood honour. The US-Ireland Alliance has announced that Gleeson will be presented with the prestigious Oscar Wilde award next March.
A Career of Remarkable Range Recognised
The award ceremony, which marks its 20th anniversary in Los Angeles in March 2025 during the Oscars season, honours an artist's entire body of work rather than a single performance. Gleeson, the son of acclaimed actor Brendan Gleeson, has built a formidable filmography across indie darlings and major franchises, yet a significant Hollywood prize had eluded him until now.
Trina Vargo, founder and president of the US-Ireland Alliance, recalled first seeing Gleeson's talent nearly two decades ago. "I first saw Domhnall in 2006 when he played the role of Davey in Martin McDonagh’s play The Lieutenant of Inishmore," Vargo said. "His talent was obvious 20 years ago, it’s been a pleasure to watch him go from strength to strength."
Despite critical acclaim and nominations—including a Tony nod for that same 2006 stage role and a Golden Globe nomination in 2023 for his chilling turn as a serial killer in The Patient opposite Steve Carell—Gleeson has missed out on Emmy and Oscar recognition. He has, however, previously won Irish film and television awards and a Berlin International Film Festival award.
From Blockbusters to Underrated Gems
Gleeson's career is a testament to his chameleonic abilities. Audiences know him as General Hux in the Star Wars sequel trilogy and Bill Weasley in the Harry Potter franchise. His film credits include acclaimed roles in Ex Machina, Brooklyn, The Revenant, and the time-travel romance About Time.
Recently, his presence on television has grown significantly. He currently stars as the editor of a struggling Ohio newspaper in the mockumentary series The Paper, a spin-off from the US version of The Office. He also appears in two Apple TV+ productions: Guy Ritchie's Fountain of Youth with John Krasinski and Natalie Portman, and Echo Valley alongside Julianne Moore and Sydney Sweeney.
An Esquire profile last month posed the question many fans have asked: "Why isn’t everyone talking about Domhnall Gleeson?" The article praised his performances, noting he remains "critically underrated" despite consistent excellence. It described his appearance as "almost fluid", absorbing his characters so thoroughly he seems physically reconfigured.
A Celebrated Hollywood Tradition
The US-Ireland Alliance, a non-profit organisation fostering ties between the two nations, is renowned for hosting one of the most vibrant parties during Hollywood's awards season. Previous recipients of the Oscar Wilde award include fellow Irish actors and creatives like Jamie Dornan, Kenneth Branagh, and Kerry Condon.
The 2025 ceremony will also honour actress Maura Tierney, known for ER and the recent film Twisters. For Gleeson, this award serves as a long-overdue Hollywood acknowledgement of a quietly brilliant career defined by risk-taking and remarkable versatility, finally answering Esquire's question with a resounding celebration of his talent.
