Biografie

Son of actor Brendan Gleeson and Mary (Weldon) Gleeson.

His first name is pronounced "doh-nall" with the "m" being silent.

Has a degree in media arts from the Dublin Institute of Technology.

Appeared in four films in 2015 and all four titles received nominations at the 88th Academy Awards. The films were: The Revenant - Der Rückkehrer (2015), Ex Machina (2014), Star Wars: Episode VII - Das Erwachen der Macht (2015) and Brooklyn - Eine Liebe zwischen zwei Welten (2015). The only other actor to achieve a similar record was Benedict Cumberbatch, who also appeared in four films that were Oscar nominated in 2013 - though he made a fifth movie that wasn't nominated.

Competed with his father for Best Supporting Actor at the British Independent Film Awards in 2015. Brendan Gleeson won the category.

[on being cast in Star Wars: Episode VII - Das Erwachen der Macht (2015)] I'm incredibly excited, but the only way I can be of value is by ignoring fandom, ignoring the other movies to a certain extent, and just trying to do the best job possible. And I think it will be the same for everyone else.

I'd been very certain about not wanting to do the acting thing because of my father. I thought I'd always have the father-son thing of 'He got you the part.'

It was when I was on stage that I realized that acting could be such a brilliant job.

Look at Cillian Murphy: 'Batman,' 'Tron'... those are some heavy-hitting franchises. But he works his way around it. He manages to have a great career and a great life.

I'm pretty lowbrow. It's a failing.