There’s something about Irish actors who make big franchises feel like a comfortable local pub. Domhnall Gleeson has played Bill Weasley in Harry Potter, General Hux in Star Wars, and still found room for quiet indie gems like Ex Machina. This profile walks through his career, his family ties with father Brendan Gleeson, and how he stays grounded in Dublin.
Born: 12 May 1983 ·
Nationality: Irish ·
Known for: Bill Weasley in Harry Potter ·
Father: Brendan Gleeson ·
Notable works: About Time, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Ex Machina ·
Awards: IFTA Award for Best Actor (Once, 2007)
Quick snapshot
- 2023: Starred in FX limited series The Patient; no major upcoming roles as of early 2025 (IMDb / Wikipedia)
Eight key details in a single table show the essentials at a glance.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Domhnall Gleeson |
| Date of Birth | 12 May 1983 |
| Place of Birth | Dublin, Ireland |
| Occupation | Actor, Screenwriter, Director |
| Years Active | 2001–present |
| Father | Brendan Gleeson |
| Notable Awards | IFTA Award for Best Actor (Once, 2007); nominated for BAFTA (Ex Machina) |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
Who did Domhnall Gleeson play in Harry Potter?
Domhnall Gleeson portrayed Bill Weasley, the eldest son of Arthur and Molly Weasley, in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (2010) and Part 2 (2011). Bill is a curse‑breaker for Gringotts and marries Fleur Delacour. The role marked Gleeson’s entry into one of the biggest franchises in cinema history — and it also let him share the screen with his real‑life father, Brendan Gleeson, who played Alastor Moody (IMDb). David Bradley: English Actor Behind Harry Potter and Game of Thrones
Bill Weasley: Role and appearance in the films
- Bill appears in both Deathly Hallows parts; he is present at the wedding of Fleur and Bill, and later fights in the Battle of Hogwarts (Harry Potter Wiki).
- He is not seen in earlier films — the character is introduced in the final installments as a grown‑up Weasley sibling.
How Domhnall Gleeson was cast as Bill Weasley
- There are no publicly detailed casting stories, but Gleeson already had a relationship with the franchise through his father’s role as Moody, which likely helped.
The pattern: Blockbuster parts like this one provided the scale, but Gleeson’s later indie choices proved he could shrink as easily as he could expand.
What was Domhnall Gleeson’s breakout role?
Most critics and fans point to About Time (2013), directed by Richard Curtis, as Gleeson’s breakout performance. He plays Tim Lake, a young man who can travel in time and uses the ability to win the love of his life. The film earned strong reviews and introduced Gleeson to a wide audience.
The critical success of ‘About Time’ (2013)
- The film holds an 86% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and grossed over $87 million worldwide.
- Gleeson’s performance was praised for its warmth and understated charm.
Early career: ‘Never Let Me Go’ and other work
- He appeared in Never Let Me Go (2010), a dystopian drama starring Carey Mulligan and Andrew Garfield.
- His earlier film work includes the Irish horror comedy Boy Eats Girl (2005) and Martin McDonagh’s short film Six Shooter (2004) (People).
The role that put him on Hollywood’s radar
- Although he had supporting roles in True Grit (2010) and Anna Karenina (2012), it was About Time that cemented his status as a lead actor.
The implication: A single well‑picked indie can redefine a career trajectory faster than any blockbuster.
What is Domhnall Gleeson’s most famous role?
Domhnall Gleeson has three roles that vie for “most famous”: General Hux in the Star Wars sequel trilogy, Bill Weasley in Harry Potter, and Caleb in Ex Machina. By global box‑office reach, General Hux is the most prominent. The Star Wars sequel trilogy grossed over $4.5 billion combined.
General Hux in the Star Wars sequel trilogy
- Gleeson played the fanatical First Order general in The Force Awakens (2015), The Last Jedi (2017), and The Rise of Skywalker (2019).
- The character became a meme for his over‑the‑top villainy, boosting Gleeson’s pop‑culture visibility.
Bill Weasley in Harry Potter
- Though a smaller role, Bill Weasley is beloved by the franchise’s massive fan base.
Caleb in ‘Ex Machina’
- In critical circles, his performance in Alex Garland’s AI thriller Ex Machina (2014) is often cited as his finest: a naive programmer who slowly realizes the horror of his situation.
Gleeson’s blockbuster roles pay the bills, but Ex Machina remains the favourite of cinephiles — a reminder that he can go small and deep between the space battles.
What this means: Domhnall Gleeson’s most famous role isn’t a single character — it’s the range itself.
Is Domhnall Gleeson in a relationship?
Domhnall Gleeson is fiercely private about his personal life. As of early 2025, there are no confirmed reports of a spouse, fiancée, or long‑term partner. An unverified rumor from a celebrity‑news site claimed he married film producer Juliette Bonass in 2023, but credible sources have not corroborated that (Bored Panda).
Current relationship status (very private)
- Gleeson has never spoken publicly about a romantic partner in interviews.
- He does not post about his private life on social media — in fact, he has no confirmed public Instagram or Twitter account.
Past rumored relationships
- No confirmed past relationships are on record.
Until Gleeson or a trusted source confirms any details, his relationship status remains a blank space — and he seems to like it that way.
The catch: In an age of oversharing, his silence becomes a statement.
Are Brendan and Domhnall Gleeson related?
Yes. Brendan Gleeson is Domhnall Gleeson’s father. The two have appeared in several films together, including The Guard (2011), Calvary (2014), and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2 (where Brendan played Alastor Moody). Domhnall is the eldest of Brendan and Mary Weldon’s four sons; his brothers Fergus, Brian, and Rory all work in creative fields (People). Rafe Spall: Biography, Nepo Baby Status, and Personal Life
Father‑son relationship
- Brendan introduced Domhnall to the craft early, and they have collaborated on stage as well — both appeared in Martin McDonagh’s The Lieutenant of Inishmore.
Other actors in the Gleeson family
- Jack Gleeson (who played Joffrey Baratheon on Game of Thrones) shares the Gleeson surname but is not closely related to Domhnall or Brendan.
The pattern: Collaborations with his father have been both professional and personal, reinforcing the family legacy.
Timeline of Domhnall Gleeson’s career
- 1983 — Born in Dublin, Ireland (Wikipedia)
- 2001 — Screen debut in a short film (IMDb)
- 2005 — Feature film debut in Boy Eats Girl (IMDb)
- 2006 — Received a Tony Award nomination for The Lieutenant of Inishmore (Wikipedia)
- 2010 — Played Bill Weasley in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1 (IMDb)
- 2013 — Breakout lead in About Time (IMDb)
- 2014 — Starred in Ex Machina (IMDb)
- 2015 — General Hux in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (IMDb)
- 2015 — Appeared in The Revenant with Leonardo DiCaprio (IMDb)
- 2023 — Starred in FX’s The Patient (IMDb)
Gleeson’s timeline shows a deliberate pace: he didn’t rush to stardom but built a foundation in theatre and indies before taking on galaxy‑sized roles.
The implication: His career arc rewards patience and careful project selection rather than chasing hype.
Clarity: Confirmed vs Unclear
Confirmed facts
- He played Bill Weasley in Harry Potter (IMDb)
- He is the son of Brendan Gleeson (Wikipedia)
- He starred in About Time, Ex Machina, and Star Wars (IMDb)
- He studied at Dublin Institute of Technology (Wikipedia)
- He was born 12 May 1983 (Wikipedia)
What remains unclear
- Current relationship status — no confirmed partner (Wikipedia)
- Whether he has children (People)
- Exact height (reported 5 ft 11 in, not officially verified) (IMDb)
- Exact net worth (unverified estimates place it between $4 million and $8 million) (unconfirmed)
- Whether the rumored marriage to Juliette Bonass in 2023 is accurate (unverified)
“He is the eldest of Brendan and Mary’s four sons.”
People
“Domhnall Gleeson is an Irish actor and screenwriter.”
Wikipedia
For young Irish actors looking to break into Hollywood, Domhnall Gleeson’s path proves that staying true to your roots while embracing diverse roles is the smarter bet — or risk being typecast for a lifetime.
people.com, yahoo.com, en.wikipedia.org, allamericanspeakers.com, facebook.com, facebook.com, boredpanda.com, reddit.com, facebook.com, downunderbrief.org
Frequently asked questions
How old is Domhnall Gleeson?
He was born on 12 May 1983, making him 41 years old as of early 2025 (Wikipedia).
What is Domhnall Gleeson’s net worth?
Exact net worth figures are not publicly verified, but estimates from celebrity‑wealth trackers place it between $4 million and $8 million (unconfirmed).
Has Domhnall Gleeson won any awards?
Yes, he won the IFTA Award for Best Actor for Once (2007) and was nominated for a BAFTA for Ex Machina (2014). He also received a Tony nomination in 2006 (Wikipedia).
Does Domhnall Gleeson have any siblings?
Yes, he has three younger brothers: Fergus, Brian (also an actor), and Rory (People).
What TV shows has Domhnall Gleeson appeared in?
He starred in the FX limited series The Patient (2023) and appeared in an episode of Black Mirror (“Be Right Back”, 2013) (IMDb).
Is Domhnall Gleeson active on social media?
No. He has no confirmed public Instagram, Twitter/X, or Facebook accounts.
What is Domhnall Gleeson’s next project?
As of early 2025, no major upcoming projects have been announced. He most recently appeared in The Patient (2023).
Did Domhnall Gleeson do his own stunts in Star Wars?
He performed some physical scenes, but major action sequences typically involved stunt doubles. No detailed breakdown is publicly available.
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Richard Vane is Senior Reporter at MorningTimes.uk, covering breaking UK news stories across politics, business and public affairs.