Chris O Dowd

Chris O’Dowd is an Irish actor and comedian. He was born on 9^th October 1979 in Sligo, Ireland to Sean, a graphic designer, and Denise, a counsellor, and psychotherapist. He grew up in Boyle, Country Roscommon. He was the youngest of five siblings. Later he would say that he was allowed to do many things his elder siblings weren’t allowed to do, and the pressure over him was relatively almost non-existent, which enabled him to explore and choose the career he did. Though he studied politics and sociology at University College Dublin, he didn’t obtain a degree owing to his lack of interest in sociology. He went on to attend the London Academy of Music and Art.

Chris O’Dowd truly wanted to be a serious actor but later realised the potential he had as a comic actor. His first film role was a minor one in the movie ‘Conspiracy of Silence’. His role in the TV series, ‘The Clinic’, where he played the character of Brendan Davenport, was appreciated. He went on to appear in many films like ‘Vera Drake’, ‘Shaun of the Dead’ and ‘Festival’. He won the Best Actor in a Scottish movie award for ‘Festival’. Then came his breakthrough, the role of Roy Trenneman in the TV series, ‘The IT Crowd’. The world still considers his portrayal of the work-shy IT technician as one of his best works. O’Dowd was nominated for an IFTA Award for his acting in the TV Series, ‘The Crimson Petal and the White’.  

He then went on to add another feather to his cap by winning the IFTA Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role of Officer Rhodes in the movie ‘Bridesmaids.’ His supporting role in the film, ‘This is 40’ also was widely appreciated. Next, he gave another excellent performance in the movie ‘ The Sapphires Click to look into! >> Read More... ’ for which he won the AACTA Award for Best Actor. O’Dowd then co-wrote a series called ‘Moone Boy’; based on his childhood, which went on to win the International Emmy Award for the Best Comedy Series. Other notable films of his are ‘Thor: The Dark World, ‘Calvary’ and ‘St. Vincent’. His Broadway debut was in 2014 with the ‘Of Mice and Men’.

Chris O’Dowd is married to Dawn Porter, who is now Dawn O’Porter. They have a son named Art O’Dowd. He has also written books, ‘Moone Boy: The Blunder Years’ and ‘Moone Boy: The Fish Detective.’