I can’t call Irish actor Gabriel Byrne “dark and brooding” because he’s quoted on IMDB as saying:
“I would like to break out of this ‘dark, brooding’ image, cause I’m actually not like that at all. In Ireland, brooding is a term we use for hens. A brooding hen is supposed to lay eggs. Everytime somebody says ‘He’s dark and brooding’ I think: ‘He’s about to lay an egg.'”
So what else can I say about him — dark and thoughtful, maybe? Because his dark eyes and lush, dark locks are part of his appeal, along with his deep, intelligent, and also charming expressions. However you describe him, I’m glad he’s shown up in these frock flicks, and he’s still going!
Uther Pendragon in Excalibur (1981)
Karl Ritter in Wagner (1983)
Christopher Columbus in Christopher Columbus (1985)
Vittorio Mussolini in Mussolini: The Untold Story (1985)
Lord Byron in Gothic (1986)
Black Prince in Lionheart (1987)
Saul in A Soldier’s Tale (1989)
Tom Reagan in Miller’s Crossing (1990)
Lt. John Merrick in Shipwrecked (1990)
Friedrich Bhaer in Little Women (1994)
Teddy Blue in Buffalo Girls (1995)
D’Artagnan in The Man in the Iron Mask (1998)
The Marquess of Steyne in Vanity Fair (2004)
Brother Juniper in The Bridge of San Luis Rey (2004)
Parker in Attack on Leningrad (2009)
Earl Haraldson in Vikings (2013)
Quirke in Quirke (2013)
Pope Gregory X in Marco Polo (2016)
Sheriff Jim Ambrose in Murder at Yellowstone City (2022)
Enzo Ferrari in Lamborghini: The Man Behind the Legend (2022)
What’s your favorite of Gabriel Byrne’s historical costume movie or TV roles?
That’s funny about hens. In British English a hen thinking of laying an egg is ‘broody’, not ‘brooding’, so in Britain the phrase just doesn’t bring that image to anyone’s mind at all.
I suspect he’s taking the mickey – I.E. making a joke, rather than a serious observation – with that little remark.
Well, making a serious point in a humorous way: clearly he’d prefer to be known as ‘dark and saturnine’ or ‘black Irish’ or just ‘Gabe’.
He’s always been a favourite of mine too. So delicious.
Not a FF, but he played The Devil in End of Days. ROWR. :)
There have been lit-crit complaints about Jo’s having to marry a kind, nonsexy daddy figure; Gabriel Byrne was the perfect actor to subtly hot up Prof. Bhaer.
As an 11-year-old in 1994, I didn’t get why Jo chose Friedrich over Laurie. As an adult, I get it. He was also great in Man With the Iron Mask.
He is the only Frederich Bhaer. No substitutions will be accepted!
I only have TWO words: HELL YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I watch The Man in the Iron Mask just for him (and Jeremy Irons). No regrets.